B(arrie) P(hillip) Nichol Criticism
Barrie Phillip Nichol, often stylized as bpNichol, is a seminal figure in Canadian experimental poetry, known for his innovative approach to language and form. Nichol's work is characterized by a desire to break free from conventional linguistic constraints, as seen in his visual poetry, which employs type size and placement to create imagistic effects, a technique reminiscent of his influence, E. E. Cummings. His exploration of "sound poems" further emphasizes his commitment to challenging traditional poetic forms. Nichol was a key member of The Four Horsemen, a group dedicated to sound poetry, and co-founded the Toronto Research Group, further cementing his influence in avant-garde circles. Notably, he obtained the Governor General's Literary Award in 1971, underscoring his significance in the literary landscape.
In works such as Journeying & The Returns, Nichol masterfully blends emotion with poetic action, creating what Lewis Warsh describes as a compelling internal energy that defines his non-concrete poetry. His major work, The Martyrology, as examined by Douglas Barbour, is a complex tapestry of personal mythology and the interplay between fiction and reality, exploring the power of language and myth. Stephen Scobie highlights Nichol's humorous yet profound exploration of historical truth in his interpretation of Billy the Kid, emphasizing his focus on the relativity of truth and the Romantic critique of history. Jack David notes Nichol's efforts to transcend traditional linguistic barriers through typographical and sound experiments, aiming to return to the fundamental elements of language. Despite some critiques from John Robert Colombo on the substance of his experimental works, Nichol's contributions remain pivotal in shaping Canadian poetry.
Contents
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New Wave Nichol
(summary)
In the following essay, John Robert Colombo discusses bp Nichol's innovative approach to poetry, emphasizing his use of sound and visual elements to challenge traditional forms, but notes that while Nichol's experiments in "bp" are intriguing, they often lack substance and can be tiresome.
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Poetry Chronicle: 'Journeying & the Returns'
(summary)
In the following essay, Lewis Warsh argues that B. P. Nichol's Journeying & The Returns uniquely blends emotional crises with poetic actions, generating a compelling internal energy that characterizes Nichol's non-concrete poetry.
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Two Authors in Search of a Character
(summary)
In the following essay, Stephen Scobie explores B. P. Nichol's humorous yet profound deconstruction of historical "truth" in his interpretation of Billy the Kid, contrasting it with Michael Ondaatje's mythic portrayal, and emphasizes Nichol's focus on the relativity of truth, the power of language, and the Romantic critique of history.
- Eldon Garnet
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Journey in a Mythic Landscape
(summary)
In the following essay, Douglas Barbour explores how B. P. Nichol's The Martyrology uses a personal mythology and the interplay of fiction and reality to create a profound poetic landscape, illustrating the enduring power of language and myth in examining human experience and poetic inspiration.
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'I Dreamed I Saw Hugo Ball': bpNichol, Dada, and Sound Poetry
(summary)
In the following essay, Stephen Scobie examines bpNichol's work "Journeying & the Returns," highlighting its innovative packaging and Nichol's experiments with trad, visual, and sound poetry, while suggesting that "The Martyrology" represents the pinnacle of Nichol's traditional poetry and holds significant potential for Canadian poetic traditions.
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Writing Writing: bp Nichol at 30
(summary)
In the following essay, Jack David explores B. P. Nichol's innovative approach to language and poetry, emphasizing his efforts to escape traditional linguistic constraints by experimenting with typographical and sound poetry, which aim to return to the fundamental elements of language and challenge linear sequential thinking.