P(atricia) K(athleen) Page Criticism
P. K. Page, born Patricia Kathleen Page, stands as a significant figure in Canadian literature, distinguished for her work as a poet, essayist, and visual artist. Though born in England, she was raised in Canada, where she became a founding member of the influential Canadian verse magazine Preview. Her literary contributions are celebrated for their intense visual imagery and exploration of hidden realities, themes of self-expression, and alienation. These elements are frequently influenced by symbolism, surrealism, and Sufi philosophy, as examined by Constance Rooke in "P. K. Page: The Chameleon and the Centre."
Page's career is marked by distinct phases. Her early collections, like As Ten, as Twenty, present suggestive imagery and social themes, offering a critique on isolation and the search for meaning, which was favorably reviewed by William Meredith in "A Good Modern Poet and a Modern Tradition." Notable poems such as "The Stenographers" and "The Landlady" highlight these social commentaries. Over time, her poetry evolved, exhibiting a more austere form while maintaining visual and thematic richness, as demonstrated in works like "Cry Ararat!" and "Cook's Mountains." This evolution reflects her extensive life experiences, including time abroad and her engagement with visual arts.
Critics often commend Page's mastery of imagery, though some note her tendency to saturate her poems with visual elements. Kevin Lewis, writing for Quill and Quire, celebrates her ability to craft compelling poetry through her imagistic style. Her later works are noted for their transcendence beyond ordinary perception, revealing unexpected relationships within the world, a perspective examined by J. M. Smith in "The Poetry of P. K. Page." Her poetry remains a valuable resource for both new readers and scholars, as emphasized by Sandra Hutchison in "Diamond Panes."
Page is also celebrated for the whimsical nature and luxuriant imagery in her poetry, reflecting her endeavor to form an identity by bridging personal and external worlds. John Sutherland observes how her early works balance romanticism and social consciousness, while S. Namjoshi discusses her ability to align dual landscapes within her writing. Her poem "After Rain," explored by Rosemary Sullivan, exemplifies her blend of imaginative depth and thematic restraint. Additionally, "Arras," analyzed by Constance Rooke, uses dream-like symbolism to articulate her ideal human state aspirations, further enriching her literary identity. Beyond poetry, Page expressed her artistic vision in paintings under the name P. K. Irwin and occasionally wrote under the pseudonym Judith Cape, showcasing her multifaceted artistic persona.
Contents
- Principal Works
- Page, P(atricia) K(athleen) (Vol. 7)
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Page, P. K. (Poetry Criticism)
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A Good Modern Poet and a Modern Tradition
(summary)
In the excerpt below, American educator and Pulitzer Prize—winning poet Meredith favorably reviews As Ten, as Twenty, finding the volume a strong example of modern poetry.
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Questions and Images
(summary)
Here, Page attributes her artistic growth to a number of elements, including where she has lived, her temporary inability to write poetry, and her subsequent interest in drawing. Critic Constance Rooke described this essay as 'the best possible guide to an understanding of [Page's] poetry.'
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The Poetry of P. K. Page
(summary)
In the following essay, originally published in Canadian Literature in 1971, he examines the imagery and themes in Page's major collections of poetry.
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P. K. Page: The Chameleon and the Centre
(summary)
In the following excerpt, she provides a survey of Page's verse and considers the influence of Sufi philosophy on the poet's works.
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The Beautiful Page
(summary)
Below, Mandel reviews Evening Dance of the Grey Flies. She comments that the accomplishment of this fine book, much waited for, is that it makes such elegantly crafted artifacts beautiful to an eye more usually drawn to the mere complexities of spawning daily flux.
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Literary Theory in the Classroom: Three Views of P. K. Page's 'The Permanent Tourists'
(summary)
The following excerpt contains essays by three writers of differing schools of criticism—Freudian Kay Stockholder, poststructuralist/feminist Shirley Neuman, and historical/practical scholar D. M. R. Bentley. Below, each author outlines his/her approach to teaching Page's 'The Permanent Tourists' to undergraduate university students.
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Diamond Panes
(summary)
In this review of The Glass Air: Selected Poems, Hutchison praises the book as a "valuable asset to both neophyte and scholar" and calls Page "one of our finest and most accomplished poets, as well as an interesting and original artist."
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P. K. Page with Eleanor Wachtel
(summary)
In the following interview, Page, with Wachtel, explores her early life, artistic influences, and development as a poet, describing her childhood experiences, literary mentors, and the evolution of her creative identity within the context of Canadian literary circles.
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A Good Modern Poet and a Modern Tradition
(summary)
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Page, P(atricia) K(athleen) (Vol. 18)
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The Poetry of P. K. Page
(summary)
In the following essay, John Sutherland analyzes P. K. Page's early poetry and novel "Sun and Moon," arguing that Page's work showcases a conflict between personal romanticism and social consciousness, influenced by Freudian rather than Marxist ideals, and that her poetry, marked by vivid imagery and emotional simplicity, often lacks coherence and technical finesse.
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Double Landscape
(summary)
In the following essay, S. Namjoshi explores the central theme of P. K. Page's poetry as the mediation between the private and external worlds, arguing that while political elements exist, Page's primary concern is artistic, emphasizing the tension and effort inherent in aligning these dual landscapes rather than political expressions.
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A Size Larger Than Seeing: The Poetry of P. K. Page
(summary)
In the following essay, Rosemary Sullivan explores the poetic identity of P. K. Page, focusing on "After Rain" as a representative work that illustrates Page's intricate sensibility toward language and imagery, while also addressing the balance between imaginative excess and thematic control in her poetry.
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Approaching P. K. Page's 'Arras'
(summary)
In the following essay, Constance Rooke analyzes P. K. Page's poem "Arras," arguing that it explores the poet's aspiration to attain an ideal human state represented by regal figures and employs dream-like symbolism to depict the struggle against internal limitations and external perceptions.
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The Poetry of P. K. Page
(summary)
- Further Reading