Ethics and Politics in Modern American Poetry (Literary Criticism and Cultural Theory)

From the Objectivists to e-poetry, this thoughtful and innovative book explores the dynamic relationship between the ethical imperative and poetic practice, revitalizing the study of the most prominent post-war American poets in a fresh, provocative way. Contributing to the "turn to ethics" in literary studies, the book begins with Emmanual Levinasâe(tm) philosophy, proposing that his reorientation of ontology and ethics demands a social responsibility. In poetic practice this responsibility for the other, it is argued, is both responsive to the traumatized semiotics of our shared language and directed towards an emancipatory social activism. Individual chapters deal with Charles Olsonâe(tm)s The Maximus Poems (including reproductions of previously unpublished archive material), Gary Snyderâe(tm)s environmental poetry, Allen Ginsbergâe(tm)s Beat poetics, Jerome Rothenbergâe(tm)s ethnopoetics, and Bruce Andrewâe(tm)s Language poetry. Following the bookâe(tm)s chronological and contextual approach, their work is situated within a constellation of poetic schools and movements, and in relation to the shifting socio-political conditions of post-war America. In its redefinition and extension of the key notion of "poethics" and, as guide to the development of experimental work in modern American poetry, this book will interest and appeal to a wide audience. Publisher Description: The Relationship Between Ethics, Politics, And Poetics Is Here Examined By Wrighton, In The Study Of Twentieth-century Experimental American Poetry. Relying Upon The Ethical Philosophy Of Emmanuel Levinas, Wrighton Charts The Development Of Ethical Praxis In Experimental Work From The Objectivists Of The 1920s, Through To Detailed Analysis Of The Black Mountain And Beat Writers Of The Post-war Era, And The Post-vietnam Language Poets . The Poetic Projects Engaged--including Work From Charles Olson, Gary Snyder, Allen Ginsberg, Jerome Rothenberg, And Bruce Andrews--are Shown To Be Oppositional To The Dominant Political Discourses Of Their Time, Re-imagining Notions Of Democracy And Community Where An Ontological Abuse Has Been Manifest In Totalizing Ideologies. Introduction: The Poethical Trajectory -- Charles Olson's Ethics Of Form In 'the Maximus Poems' -- Environmental Ethics In The Poetry Of Gary Snyder -- Sub-cultural Self-othering And The Beat Poetics Of Allen Ginsberg -- The Welcome Of The Other: Jerome Rothenberg's Ethnopoetics -- Traumatised Semiotics: The Turn To Language And Bruce Andrew's Poethical Praxis -- Conclusion: The Performative Dialogics Of Peothical Praxis. John Wrighton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover Ethics and Politics in Modern American Poetry Copyright Contents Figures Permissions Acknowledgments 1 Introduction: The Poethical Trajectory 2 Charles Olson’s Ethics of Form in The Maximus Poems 3 Environmental Ethics in the Poetry of Gary Snyder 4 Sub-cultural Self-othering and the Beat Poetics of Allen Ginsberg 5 The Welcome of the Other: Jerome Rothenberg's Ethnopoetics 6 Traumatised Semiotics: The Turn to Language and Bruce Andrews’ Poethical Praxis 7 Conclusion: The Performative Dialogics of Poethical Praxis Notes Bibliography Index Examines the relationship between ethics, politics, and poetics. This book studies twentieth-century experimental American poetry. Relying upon the ethical philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, it charts the development of ethical praxis in experimental work from the Objectivists of the 1920s, through to analysis of the Black Mountain and Beat writers.