Lawrence Ferlinghetti Criticism
Lawrence Ferlinghetti stands as a seminal figure in the Beat movement and the broader American poetry revival of the 1950s. His work is notable for its blend of lyricism and innovative form, frequently incorporating elements of visual art and jazz. In essays such as "Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Painter's Eye", scholars explore these artistic influences that define his performances and poetry readings. Ferlinghetti's poetry, typified by American idiom and jazz influences, is intended for performance and reflects the oral tradition. Despite some critics, like Joel Oppenheimer, finding it lacking in discipline, Ferlinghetti's work is celebrated for its vibrant energy and revolutionary spirit, a hallmark of the Beat movement.
His major works, such as Pictures of the Gone World and the renowned A Coney Island of the Mind, are praised for their satirical and surreal language. These works explore themes of innocence and political radicalism, remaining significant in post-1950s American poetry. Ferlinghetti's skeptical view of political extremes is highlighted in John Trimbur's discussions of his poetry. While his only novel, Her, is noted for its experimental style, it remains less critically examined due to its complexity.
Ferlinghetti also ventured into drama with plays like Unfair Arguments with Existence and Routines, which push traditional boundaries through symbolic and experimental narratives influenced by the Theater of the Absurd. His plays strive for improvisational spontaneity, further mirroring the jazz-like rhythm in his poetry. Lee Bartlett and Larry Smith have observed how his fusion of existential and romantic elements with a public voice continues to influence a broad spectrum of poetry and art.
Ferlinghetti's commitment to making poetry accessible is reflected in his improvisational style and fluid spoken rhythms, filled with literary and artistic allusions. Influenced by French existentialism and surrealism, his work draws comparisons to poets like Jacques Prévert and e.e. cummings. Although critics such as Jascha Kessler find his poetry sentimental and clichéd, others like Crale D. Hopkins argue for a reevaluation of his contributions to modern literature. His poem "Autobiography" is noted by C. R. Metzger for integrating Celtic bardic traditions, while Michael Skau's analysis of Her emphasizes Ferlinghetti's exploration of artistic creation and identity. Ultimately, Ferlinghetti's legacy is one of innovation and influence, cementing his place as a transformative figure in American literature.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (Vol. 10)
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Sentimental Trifles in Frisco Vein
(summary)
In the following essay, Jascha Kessler criticizes Lawrence Ferlinghetti for his sentimental and inauthentic style, arguing that his poetry relies on clichéd spiritual references and lacks originality, serving more as public performance than genuine artistic expression.
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The Poetry of Lawrence Ferlinghetti: A Reconsideration
(summary)
In the following essay, Crale D. Hopkins argues that Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poetry transcends the Beat-poet stereotype by blending modern European influences, traditional literary elements, surrealism, and social commentary, thus warranting reevaluation for its cultural insights and innovative technique within the contemporary literary tradition.
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Lawrence Ferlinghetti as Elphin's Bard
(summary)
In the following essay, C. R. Metzger explores Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "Autobiography," arguing that it employs a complex interweaving of ancient Celtic bardic traditions and allusions to Robert Graves's concept of the "White Goddess" to articulate a modern poetic identity aligned with historical and mythical figures of true poets, in opposition to academic and sycophantic verse.
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Toward Underivative Creation: Lawrence Ferlinghetti's 'Her'
(summary)
In the following essay, Michael Skau argues that Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Her delves into the complex dynamics between artistic creation and identity, portraying the protagonist, Andy Raffine, as a character struggling with his fictional nature and the illusions of reality, ultimately symbolizing humanity's search for autonomy and the challenges of creation under an omnipresent creator.
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Sentimental Trifles in Frisco Vein
(summary)
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Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (Vol. 111)
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Criticism
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Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Painter's Eye
(summary)
In the following essay, Corrington compares the structure of Ferlinghetti's poems to the style of several modern painters.
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Ferlinghetti: Dirty Old Man?
(summary)
After an analysis of Ferlinghetti's style and subject matter, Butler suggests that Ferlinghetti has the talent and vision to rise above the restrictive label of "beat poet" and become a more "universal" poet.
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Fiction in Brief
(summary)
In the following review, Raksin provides a plot summary and critique of the novel Love in the Days of Rage, highlighting the author's sensitivity as a painter and the contrasting themes of light and darkness in the narrative.
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Passionate Spring
(summary)
Burnson provides a plot summary and favorable review of Love in the Days of Rage, noting that the novella challenges the reader on several stylistic levels as it attempts to mirror the anarchistic uprising of '68.
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Wild Dreams of a New Beginning
(summary)
In the following review, Leddy criticizes the poetry collection Wild Dreams of a New Beginning for being derivative and unimaginative.
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The 'Spiritual Optics' of Lawrence Ferlinghetti
(summary)
In the following essay, Stephenson describes the visual imagery recurring in several of Ferlinghetti's poems and plays, and in the novel Her. He suggests that Ferlinghetti believes man to be fragmented by the opposing forces of love and power.
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Tony Curtis (interview date Summer 1992)
(summary)
In the following interview, Tony Curtis and Lawrence Ferlinghetti explore a variety of themes, including the influence of Dylan Thomas and Allen Ginsberg, the role of poets as truth-tellers in a compromised society, and Ferlinghetti's critical perspective on the political implications of the Gulf War and corporate influence on media.
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Pictures of the Gone World
(summary)
Smith reviews the revised edition of Pictures of the Gone World, and discusses the impact of Ferlinghetti's City Lights Bookstore and New Directions Paperbacks.
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Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Painter's Eye
(summary)
- Further Readings
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Criticism
- Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (Vol. 2)
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Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (Vol. 27)
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Weathered Well
(summary)
In the following essay, Joel Oppenheimer argues that Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poetic works, despite criticisms of populism and political rhetoric, maintain enduring significance and vitality due to their genuine literary allusions, revisionist vision, and the ability to resonate beyond their revolutionary origins.
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John Trimbur
(summary)
In the following essay, John Trimbur argues that Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poetry, characterized by its public and political engagement, challenges social norms and has been underestimated by critics, emphasizing his role as a significant force in American poetry and his commitment to using alienation creatively to foster a communal consciousness.
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Lee Bartlett
(summary)
In the following essay, Lee Bartlett examines Lawrence Ferlinghetti's evolution as a poet, noting his transition from traditional lyrical themes to politically charged occasional pieces, and argues that Ferlinghetti's most enduring work emerges when his lyricism prevails over his political engagement.
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Larry Smith
(summary)
In the following essay, Larry Smith examines Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poetry as a revolutionary and engaged art form that challenges traditional poetic conventions, blending existential and romantic elements in a distinctive oral style to create a public and personal poetic voice that resonates across national and genre boundaries.
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Weathered Well
(summary)
- Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (Vol. 6)