Stanley Burnshaw Criticism
Stanley Burnshaw was a multifaceted American literary figure whose work spanned poetry, novels, criticism, and essays. He is perhaps best known for his critical manifesto, The Seamless Web, which has been described by James Dickey as a groundbreaking exploration of poetry's essence, comparable to Biographia Literaria. In this work, Burnshaw delves into the poet's role as a prototype of artistic expression, offering a non-dogmatic examination of various critical theories and poetical techniques. This insightful approach to understanding poetry has significantly influenced both literary criticism and poets' self-perception, as observed by 'The Poet Is Always Present'.
Burnshaw's oeuvre also includes Mirages, a profound public poem that meditates on the intricate reality of Israel, blending modern vitality with ancient heritage. Chad Walsh commends the work for its control and impact in free verse, while Peter Dale highlights its authoritative tone in addressing the Israeli-Arab conflict. This dynamic engagement with both biological evolution and cultural progress is further analyzed by Peter Dale, who appreciates Burnshaw's skill in intertwining syntax, rhythm, and meaning, offering readers an enriched understanding of poetic creation.
Contents
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Burnshaw, Stanley (Vol. 13)
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'The Poet Is Always Present'
(summary)
In the following essay, Germaine Brée contends that Stanley Burnshaw's The Seamless Web insightfully explores the poet's role as a prototype of artistic expression, examining various critical theories and poetical techniques with clarity and a non-dogmatic approach, ultimately influencing literary criticism and poets' self-perception.
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Peter Dale
(summary)
In the following essay, Peter Dale discusses Stanley Burnshaw's work, emphasizing its exploration of the tension between biological evolution and cultural progress, its insightful analysis of artistic creation and poetry's structure, and its ability to engage the reader in a dynamic experience of understanding how poems operate to blend syntax, rhythm, and meaning.
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Chad Walsh
(summary)
In the following essay, Chad Walsh praises Stanley Burnshaw's Mirages as a profound public poem that transcends confessional poetry by meditating on the rich and complex reality of Israel, characterized by its intertwining of modern vitality and ancient heritage, with Burnshaw's controlled free verse enhancing its impact.
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Going Public
(summary)
In the following essay, Peter Dale explores Stanley Burnshaw's Mirages as an engaging, public poem tackling the Israeli-Arab conflict with an authoritative and passionate tone, lauded for its accessibility and sincerity, though its versification may perplex some readers.
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'The Poet Is Always Present'
(summary)
- Burnshaw, Stanley (Vol. 3)