M(acha) L(ouis) Rosenthal Criticism
M. L. Rosenthal was a prominent American poet, critic, and editor, renowned for his independent and insightful exploration of both British and American poetry. His critical approach emphasized the unique and intrinsic value of each poem, avoiding alignment with any single critical "school." Rosenthal's influential works, such as The Modern Poets (1960) and The New Poets (1967), delve into the complexities of twentieth-century poetry, offering accessible yet profound analyses that bridge the gap between academic critique and general readership, as discussed in Not Riddle-Making but Simplicity and The Modern Poets: A Critical Introduction.
As explored by Voices of Victims, Rosenthal's criticism particularly highlights the shift towards confessional poetry and the evolving poetic landscape post-1946. His keen observations are balanced by an acknowledgment of limitations in distinguishing poetic commitments. In addition to his critical writings, Rosenthal's own poetry spans a wide range of forms and styles, as seen in collections like She (1977) and Poems 1964–1980 (1981), where he explores traditional themes with both traditional and free verse styles, a dynamic range that garners both praise and critique from figures like Joseph A. Lipari and John Parisi.
Rosenthal's work reflects a commitment to making poetry accessible, emphasizing its intersections with everyday life, as examined in Poetry and the Common Life and Rosenthal: 'Poetry and the Common Life'. Despite critiques of his poetic approach, Rosenthal's contributions to literary criticism and poetry remain a vital part of the modern literary discourse, offering a profound connection between the past and contemporary poetry, as discussed in Sailing into the Unknown: Yeats, Pound, and Eliot and The Many-Sidedness of Modernism.
Contents
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Not Riddle-Making but Simplicity
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In the following essay, John Holmes examines M. L. Rosenthal's "The Modern Poets," arguing that Rosenthal highlights a shift in modern poetry towards simplicity and directness, while maintaining a strong connection to traditional influences through figures like Yeats, Pound, and Eliot, and exploring various poets' contributions to the evolving poetic landscape.
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The Modern Poets: A Critical Introduction
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In the following essay, Robert Langbaum argues that M. L. Rosenthal's The Modern Poets offers a lucid and comprehensive introduction to modern British and American poetry, highlighting Rosenthal's insightful pairing of poets and his emphasis on the unique revelations of modern poetry, despite some limitations in distinguishing poetic commitments.
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Voices of Victims
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In the following essay, Robie Macauley appraises M. L. Rosenthal's dual volumes which insightfully analyze post-1946 British, American, and Irish poetry, particularly highlighting the confessional poetry trend, while critiquing the lack of significant new poetic theories and valuing Rosenthal's mediation in modern poetry pedagogy.
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Suicidal Spin
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The critic examines M. L. Rosenthal's book The New Poets, critiquing its focus on confessional poetry and its uneven treatment of poets like Theodore Roethke, while noting Rosenthal's lack of imaginative analysis and his skewed attention to certain contemporary poets.
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Thomas Lask
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In the following essay, Thomas Lask discusses how M. L. Rosenthal's "Beyond Power" builds on his earlier work with a deeper tone, exploring themes of human limitations, nature, and history through technically assured poetry, marked by humor and a thoughtful approach to serious subjects.
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Falling Water and Fading Flames
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The critic suggests that while M. L. Rosenthal's book Beyond Power showcases adventurous and tasteful poetry, it lacks the linguistic strength, coherent vision, and distinctive character necessary to elevate the work beyond polite appreciation.
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Nature As She Is
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The critic suggests that while M. L. Rosenthal presents intriguing metaphysical ideas in his collection "The View from the Peacock's Tail," he struggles with integrating these with his lyrical romanticism, resulting in aggressive imagery and high-pitched tones that lack the necessary balance of ironic comedy to temper them.
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No Strokes of Lightning
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In the following essay, Shaw critiques M. L. Rosenthal's collection The View from the Peacock's Tail, arguing that while Rosenthal, as a renowned critic, attempts to engage with the work of past poets and political themes, his poetry falls short and often lapses into clichéd and second-hand expressions.
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Poetry and the Common Life
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In the following essay, Samuel Hux critiques M. L. Rosenthal's Poetry and the Common Life for emphasizing poetry's accessibility to the common reader over its transformative artistry, arguing that such a view underestimates poetry’s capacity to challenge and elevate its audience beyond the familiar.
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Rosenthal: 'Poetry and the Common Life'
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In the following essay, William Heyen praises M. L. Rosenthal's "Poetry and the Common Life" for challenging traditional views on poetry, emphasizing its personal and universal insights, while acknowledging that Rosenthal's enthusiasm occasionally elevates certain poems beyond their merit.
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Poetry and the Common Life
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In the following essay, William E. Stafford examines M. L. Rosenthal's work "Poetry and the Common Life," highlighting Rosenthal's efforts to bridge the gap between poetry and everyday experience while questioning the assumptions about poetry's function and the relationship between language and experience.
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'Wild with the Morning': The Poetry of M. L. Rosenthal
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In the following essay, Sally M. Gall explores M. L. Rosenthal's poetry, emphasizing his ability to blend personal and political themes, his energetic and volatile style, and the evolution of his sequences, culminating in She, which she regards as a significant contribution to the love poem genre through its intricate medley of emotions and themes.
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Sailing into the Unknown: Yeats, Pound, and Eliot
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In the following essay, Gregory A. Schirmer evaluates M. L. Rosenthal's poetic approach to literary criticism in "Sailing Into the Unknown," arguing that Rosenthal effectively emphasizes the emotional intensity and empathic exploration of Yeats, Pound, and Eliot's poetry, though he admits Rosenthal's subjective method sometimes falters, particularly in his analysis of Yeats.
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The Many-Sidedness of Modernism
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In the following essay, Theodore Weiss discusses M. L. Rosenthal's Sailing into the Unknown: Yeats, Pound and Eliot, arguing that the book is a timely reminder of the poets' relevance, highlighting their innovative contributions to modern poetry while acknowledging their flaws, and emphasizing the importance of connecting with past literary traditions.
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Poems 1964–1980
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In the following review, Joseph A. Lipari examines Rosenthal's Poems 1964–1980, noting the poet's impressive thematic range and intelligence but also highlighting his limitations, such as overreliance on archaic diction and literary allusions that sometimes detract from emotional vividness.
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Poems, 1964–1980
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In the following essay, John Parisi evaluates M. L. Rosenthal's collection "Poems, 1964–1980," highlighting both the poet's technical skill and perceptive love lyrics, while noting the occasional shortcomings of sentimentality and facile expressions.