On Poetry and Craft: Selected Prose (Writing Re: Writing)
by Theodore Roethke
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"One of the virtues of good poetry is the fact that it irritates the mediocre." Theodore Roethke was one of the most famous and outspoken poets and poetry teachers this country has ever known. In this volume of selected prose, Roethke articulates his commitments to imaginative possibilities, offers tender advice to young writers, and zings darts at stuffed shirts, lightweights and fools." Art is our defense against hysteria and death." With the assistance of Roethke's widow, this volume has show more been edited to include the finest selections from out of print collections of prose and journal entries. Focused on the making and teaching of poetry, On Poetry and Craft will be prized in the classroom-and outrageous Roethke quotes will once again pepper our conversations. "You must believe a poem is a holy thing, a good poem, that is." Theodore Roethke was of an illustrious generation of poets which included Sexton, Plath, Lowell, Berryman, and like them he received nearly every major award in poetry, including the Pulitzer Prize and twice the National Book Award. In spite of his fame, he remained a legendary teacher, known for the care and attention he gave to his students, poets such as James Wright, Carolyn Kizer, Tess Gallagher, and Richard Hugo. Roethke died on August 1, 1963, while swimming in a friend's pool." But before I'm reduced to an absolute pulp by my own ambivalence, I must say goodbye. The old lion perisheth. Nymphs, I wish you the swoops of many fish. May your search for the abiding be forever furious." show lessTags
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35+ Works 2,006 Members
Theodore Roethke was a poet and educator. He was born on May 25, 1908 in Saginaw, Michigan. Roethke graduated from the University of Michigan in 1929. He entered Michigan Law School, but withdrew in 1930 to pursue a master's degree in literature at Harvard. Roethke did not complete his degree due to financial problems. Roethke worked as an show more instructor at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania State University, and Bennington College. His 1951 book, Praise to the End, won the Bollington Prize and his 1953 volume, The Waking, Poems 1933-1953, won the Pulitzer Prize. Roethke was also a two-time winner of the National Book Award and the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Roethke died on August 1, 1963. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2001
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- Members
- 110
- Popularity
- 294,341
- Rating
- (4.20)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 1
