The Poet as Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems (New Directions in German Studies Book 10)

The Poet as Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems opens up new perspectives on the relation between Rilke’s poetry and phenomenological philosophy, and illustrates the ways in which poetry can offer an exceptional response to the philosophical problem of dualism. In its articulation of Rilke’s philosophical significance, it draws on the work of Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty as well as literature from leading international Rilke scholars. It makes a new contribution to the tradition of phenomenological poetics that begins with Heidegger’s readings of Hölderlin and expands the debate among Germanists concerning the phenomenological status of Rilke’s poetry, which has been severely limited to comparisons of Rilke and Husserl. After introducing the problem of dualism and demonstrating the need for a phenomenological resolution, the book explicates an implicit phenomenology of perception in Rilke’s writings from his middle period (1902-1910). It argues that Rilke cultivated an artistic perception (largely inspired by the French visual artists, Rodin and Cézanne) that, in a philosophically significant manner, overcomes the opposition between the sensuous and the intelligible while simultaneously transcending the boundaries of philosophy. Fischer offers novel interpretations of central poems from Rilke’s Neue Gedichte (New Poems, 1907) and Der neuen Gedichte anderer Teil (New Poems: The Other Part, 1908) and explicates them as the ultimate articulation of Rilke’s non-dualistic vision. The Poet as Phenomenologist thus demonstrates the continuity between Rilke and phenomenology while arguing that poetry, in this case, provides the most adequate response to a philosophical problem. The Poet As Phenomenologist: Rilke And The New Poems Opens Up New Perspectives On The Relation Between Rilke's Poetry And Phenomenological Philosophy, Illustrating The Ways In Which Poetry Can Offer An Exceptional Response To The Philosophical Problem Of Dualism. Drawing On The Work Of Husserl, Heidegger And Merleau-ponty, Luke Fischer Makes A New Contribution To The Tradition Of Phenomenological Poetics And Expands The Debate Among Germanists Concerning The Phenomenological Status Of Rilke's Poetry, Which Has Been Severely Limited To Comparisons Of Rilke And Husserl. Fischer Explicates An Implicit Phenomenology Of Perception In Rilke's Writings From His Middle Period (1902-1910). He Argues That Rilke Cultivated An Artistic Perception That, In A Philosophically Significant Manner, Overcomes The Opposition Between The Sensuous And The Intelligible While Simultaneously Transcending The Boundaries Of Philosophy. Fischer Offers Novel Interpretations Of Central Poems From Rilke's Neue Gedichte (1907) And Der Neuen Gedichte Anderer Teil (1908) And Frames Them As The Ultimate Articulation Of Rilke's Non-dualistic Vision. He Thus Demonstrates The Continuity Between Rilke And Phenomenology While Arguing That Poetry, In This Case, Provides The Most Adequate Response To A Philosophical Problem-- Introduction -- 1. Phenomenology And The Problem Of Dualism -- 2. Learning To See: Rilke And The Visual Arts -- 3. Rilke As Seer: A Twofold Vision Of Nature -- 4. The Neue Gedichte As A Twofold Imagining Of Things -- Conclusion -- Epilogue -- Bibliography -- Index. Luke Fischer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The Poet as Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems opens up new perspectives on the relation between Rilke's poetry and phenomenological philosophy, illustrating the ways in which poetry can offer an exceptional response to the philosophical problem of dualism. Drawing on the work of Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, Luke Fischer makes a new contribution to the tradition of phenomenological poetics and expands the debate among Germanists concerning the phenomenological status of Rilke's poetry, which has been severely limited to comparisons of Rilke and Husserl. Fischer explicates an implicit phenomenology of perception in Rilke's writings from his middle period (1902-1910). He argues that Rilke cultivated an artistic perception that, in a philosophically significant manner, overcomes the opposition between the sensuous and the intelligible while simultaneously transcending the boundaries of philosophy. Fischer offers novel interpretations of central poems from Rilke's Neue Gedichte (1907) and Der neuen Gedichte anderer Teil (1908) and frames them as the ultimate articulation of Rilke's non-dualistic vision. He thus demonstrates the continuity between Rilke and phenomenology while arguing that poetry, in this case, provides the most adequate response to a philosophical problem"-- "A groundbreaking contribution to Rilke scholarship that significantly expands the existing debate concerning the relation between Rilke's poetry and phenomenological philosophy"-- "The Poet as Phenomenologist: Rilke and the New Poems opens up new perspectives on the relation between Rilke's poetry and phenomenological philosophy, illustrating the ways in which poetry can offer an exceptional response to the philosophical problem of dualism. Drawing on the work of Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, Luke Fischer makes a new contribution to the tradition of phenomenological poetics and expands the debate among Germanists concerning the phenomenological status of Rilke's poetry, which has been severely limited to comparisons of Rilke and Husserl. Fischer explicates an implicit phenomenology of perception in Rilke's writings from his middle period (1902-1910). He argues that Rilke cultivated an artistic perception that, in a philosophically significant manner, overcomes the opposition between the sensuous and the intelligible while simultaneously transcending the boundaries of philosophy. Fischer offers novel interpretations of central poems from Rilke's Neue Gedichte (1907) and Der neuen Gedichte anderer Teil (1908) and frames them as the ultimate articulation of Rilke's non-dualistic vision. He thus demonstrates the continuity between Rilke and phenomenology while arguing that poetry, in this case, provides the most adequate response to a philosophical problem"-- Provided by publisher Machine generated contents note: Introduction Chapter 1. Phenomenology and the Problem of Dualism Chapter 2. Learning to See: Rilke and the Visual Arts Chapter 3. Rilke as Seer: A Twofold Vision of Nature Chapter 4. The Neue Gedichte as a Twofold Imagining of Things. Conclusion. Epilogue. Bibliography. Index. "A groundbreaking contribution to Rilke scholarship that significantly expands the existing debate concerning the relation between Rilke's poetry and phenomenological philosophy"-- Provided by publisher