Susan Howe is renowned as an experimental poet whose eclectic experiences across diverse fields have shaped her unique literary voice. Her multifaceted background includes work in acting, painting, radio production, and stage design, enriching her creative endeavors. Howe's artistic journey transitioned from painting to writing, where she found her true calling in poetry.

Early Influences and Educational Background

Born to a Harvard Law professor and an Irish playwright and actress, Howe was immersed in a world of intellectual and artistic influences from a young age. She graduated from the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts in 1961, earning first prize in painting. Her journey into literature began in the 1950s during her high school years, where she developed a penchant for exploring obscure books and words, nurturing an early interest in history.

Artistic Inspirations

Howe drew inspiration from a variety of sources across different disciplines, including poet Charles Olson, painter Agnes Martin, historian Richard Slotkin, and writers like Emily Dickinson and Cotton Mather. She particularly resonated with Virginia Woolf, whose work deeply influenced her from an early age. These diverse influences are reflected in her complex and experimental style.

The 1960s: A Decade of Experimentation

The 1960s marked a period of artistic experimentation and liberation that permanently influenced Howe’s work. Initially focusing on visual art, she began integrating words into her paintings, a precursor to her later poetic style. Her love for collage—a method she continues to employ in her poetry—was evident even in her early visual art endeavors.

Theatrical and Visual Components of Poetry

Howe’s theatrical background profoundly impacts her poetry, which often resembles a stage with words acting as performers. The spatial arrangement of her words is intentional, guiding the reader's eye in a dynamic interaction with the text. This dramatic element creates a unique reading experience where meaning unfolds through visual and spatial cues.

Connection to Nature and Topography

A strong connection to the landscapes of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean permeates Howe's work. Her affinity for water, rooted in her New England upbringing and deepened by her second husband David von Schlegell, is a recurring theme. Von Schlegell, a sculptor and avid sailor, influenced Howe’s integration of natural motifs and exploration of form in her poetry.

Innovative Poetic Structures

Howe's poetry defies conventional structures, often featuring lines arranged at unconventional angles and employing mirror images and collage techniques. Her work challenges traditional narrative, inviting readers to find meaning in the spaces between words. These elements provide a voice for historically marginalized groups, resonating particularly with women who seek to express the unspoken.

Sound and Performance in Poetry

The auditory experience of Howe's poetry is as significant as its visual aspect. When reading her work aloud, she emphasizes variations in rhythm, dynamics, and volume, enhancing the poem’s impact. Her minimalist yet profound style demands attentive engagement, revealing limitless possibilities within seemingly sparse verse.

Academic and Literary Contributions

In 1988, at the age of fifty-one, Howe began teaching at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, later extending her teaching to the University of Denver. Known for her dynamic energy, she frequently lectures across the United States as a visiting poet, sharing her insights and inspiring new generations of writers.

Recognition and Accolades

Howe's innovative work has garnered significant acclaim. She is a two-time recipient of the Before Columbus Foundation Book Award for her collections Secret History of the Dividing Line and My Emily Dickinson. Her nonfiction work, The Birthmark: Unsettling the Wilderness in American Literary History, was recognized as an "International Book of the Year" by the Times Literary Supplement in...