Curse | Criticism

  • Pamela Steed Hill

    Hill is the author of a poetry collection, has published widely in literary journals, and is an editor for a university publications department. In the following essay, she examines “Curse” as an anathema, explaining the origins of the word and considering how the religious overtones of the poem suggest the theological roots of its subject.

  • Garth Greenwell

    In the following essay review, Greenwell argues that Bidart’s poetry has evolved from lengthy dramatic monologues in which theatrical performance by the characters outweighs any attempt to be lyrical. Greenwell also describes his definition of ‘‘lyric’’ as ‘‘short, intimate, and musical’’ and claims that the poems in Star Dust provide the best evidence that Bidart has become a lyric poet.

  • Thomson Gale

    In the following essay, the critic gives a critical analysis of Bidart’s work.