Jarrell, Randall (Vol. 1) - Jarrell, Randall 1914–1965
Jarrell, Randall 1914–1965
American poet, novelist, critic, and author of books for children, Jarrell is remembered for his World War II poems and for his critical work, Poetry and the Age. (See also Contemporary Authors, Vols. 5-8, rev. ed.; obituary, Vols. 25-28.)
One of the salient qualities of Randall Jarrell's poetry is a freshness of observation, a sense of direct and immediate and unhackneyed response. Doubtless this quality is related to a kind of innocence in Jarrell as a person, an innocence that one would be tempted to call childlike except that Jarrell was preternaturally articulate and thoroughly tough-minded. It was this or a related quality that made his critical essays so bright and refreshing. Yet his spontaneity and innocence (whether turned toward lyrical freshness or satirical acerbity) could, because they are so prominent in his poetry, blind the casual reader to the presence of other important qualities,...
[The entire page is 1186 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
