Joy Harjo Criticism
Joy Harjo stands as a pivotal figure in contemporary American literature, her work deeply rooted in her Muscogee Creek heritage. Her poetry uniquely interweaves Native American myths and symbols with broader themes of identity, self-actualization, and freedom. Harjo's literary contributions are a rich tapestry that not only reflect her cultural background but also engage with universal themes resonating with a wide audience. Within her autobiographical works such as The Last Song and She Had Some Horses, Harjo explores themes of nature and freedom, while her acclaimed Secrets from the Center of the World employs prose poetry and photography to capture the essence of the American Southwest.
Her collection In Mad Love and War is particularly noted for its exploration of political themes and the transformative power of poetry, capturing qualities of urgency and compassion as highlighted by critics Leslie Ullman and Kathleene West. Harjo's ability to blend elements of Native tradition with contemporary American culture, as Dan Bellm observes, creates a universal appeal that positions her as a significant voice in American literature. This synthesis of tradition and modernity is further examined in the Thematic Analysis of Harjo's Poetry, which likens her literary journey to modern Pan-Indian trails.
Harjo's poetry frequently addresses the struggle for Native American rights and identity, the impact of violence, and challenges faced by Native peoples today. Themes of personal and political significance flow through collections like In Mad Love and War and The Woman Who Fell from the Sky, where she draws on Iroquois myths to explore societal forces. In her interview with Joseph Bruchac, Harjo emphasizes the importance of memory, storytelling, and the survival of Native American identity, reiterating the powerful narrative role her work plays.
Despite some critiques of her work being overly political, this aspect is often seen as a reflection of her experiences as a Native American woman, adding depth and authenticity to her narratives. Her depiction of urban landscapes and the alienation of native peoples is discussed in Nancy Lang's essay, while Mary Leen examines the survival of storytelling within her poetry. As Harjo's oeuvre continues to evolve, critics acknowledge her maturing voice and the increasingly confident expression of her poetic vision.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Harjo, Joy (Contemporary Literary Criticism)
- Joy Harjo with Laura Coltelli (interview date 23 September 1985)
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Thematic Analysis of Harjo's Poetry
(summary)
Allen is a Laguna Pueblo novelist, poet, nonfiction writer, educator, and critic. In the following excerpt, the critics provide a thematic analysis of Harjo's poetry, focusing on her experiences as an Indian woman traveling between cities and the significance of travel in her works, which reflects the modern Pan-Indian trails across the country.
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In Mad Love and War and Secrets from the Center of the World
(summary)
Randall offers a favorable assessment of In Mad Love and War and Secrets from the Center of the World.
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In Mad Love and War
(summary)
Ullman states that "all these poems seem written in a moment of urgency, fed by deeply rooted memory or longing, sometimes by defiance, and always by a warriorlike compassion." The poems reflect Joy Harjo's heritage as a Creek Indian and address themes of identity, history, and violence.
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Overview of Harjo's Career
(summary)
In the following review, Bellm offers an overview of Harjo's career, highlighting her unique blend of Native American tradition and contemporary American culture in her poetry, particularly in her collection In Mad Love and War.
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Overview of Harjo's Poetry
(summary)
In the essay below, Scarry provides an overview of Harjo's poetry and briefly compares her work to that of other Native American women writers.
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In Mad Love and War
(summary)
In the following laudatory review, West discusses thematic and stylistic aspects of In Mad Love and War, highlighting the magic of Joy Harjo's poetry and her exploration of memory, time, and the inadequacies of language.
- Joy Harjo with Marilyn Kallett (interview date Summer 1993)
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Harjo, Joy (Poetry Criticism)
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Notes towards a New Multicultural Criticism
(summary)
In the following essay, Crawford provides a stylistic and thematic overview of Harjo's She Had Some Horses.
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The Story of All Our Survival: An Interview with Joy Harjo
(summary)
In the following interview, Bruchac and Harjo explore the themes of memory, storytelling, and survival in Harjo's poetry, highlighting her reflections on Native American identity, "tribal consciousness," the appropriation of Indigenous culture, and the interconnectedness of humanity, while critiquing the "Beads and Feathers" stereotype and emphasizing the importance of place, roots, and a living memory.
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'Twin Gods Bending Over': Joy Harjo and Poetic Memory
(summary)
In the following essay, Lang emphasizes the importance of memory in Harjo's poetry by examining her depiction of various urban American landscapes.
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An Art of Saying: Joy Harjo's Poetry and the Survival of Storytelling
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Leen explores the function of storytelling in Harjo's poetry.
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Notes towards a New Multicultural Criticism
(summary)
- Further Reading