Abstract
W.S. Merwin’s accounts of his encounters with John Berryman in his poems and prose writings speak to an important exchange in the younger poet’s artistic development. However, they also suggest interesting ways for thinking about poetic influence, inheritance and affiliation in twentieth-century poetry in the United States. The purpose of this essay is to tease out what Berryman meant to Merwin, based on the evidence to be found in the poems “Berryman” and “Lament for the Makers” in particular. It will also explore the more general questions and concerns that arise out of Berryman and Merwin’s (real and imagined) engagements about the art of poetry, a concern they shared with their mutual mentor and friend R.P. Blackmur.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
