American Literature Readings in the 21st Century: Homosexuality and Poetic Influence

Gwiazda, P.

James Merrill and W.H. Auden offers a substantial analysis of the literary and personal relationship between two major twentieth-century poets. As Gwiazda argues, Auden's prominence in the post-World War II American poetry scene as a homosexual poet and critic makes his impact on Merrill particularly noteworthy. Merrill's imaginary recreation of Auden in his occult verse trilogy The Changing Light at Sandover (1982) offers a powerful statement about the dynamics of poetic influence between gay male poets. Combining archival research, textual analysis, and aspects of queer theory, James Merrill and W.H. Auden examines Sandover's implications to the contentious issues of homosexual identity and self-representation.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2007-10-17

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9781349539857

DOI: 10.1057/9780230607163

Dimensions: 216cm x140cm

Pages: 203