As the least literal form of creative writing, for many readers poetry is also the most cryptic. Shira Wolosky introduces the skills needed for reading poetry, working from the individual word, line and image to verse forms, voice, gender and metre
An introductory essay will identify central concerns, historical backgrounds, evolving patterns and poetic issues, as marked through the course of the century. The work of these poets provides a gripping view of the creativity of nineteenth-century American women that has been until recently almost entirely lost to literary history. Supremely relevant to today's readers, this is poetry that began the efforts at the redefinition of self, of America, and of womanhood that continues to touch the lives and thoughts of so many today.
Exploring the Bible's profound influence on American poetry, this study examines its role as a source of imagery and a reflection of the nation's civic, political, and social history. It addresses critical themes such as ethnicity, race, and gender, revealing how the Bible has both unified and divided communities throughout American culture. The analysis spans from the Puritans to contemporary poets like Amanda Gorman, highlighting significant historical events such as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, abolition, and women's rights, while featuring both popular and major literary figures.
Feminist Community and American Women's Poetry
Exploring the evolution of American women's poetry from the seventeenth to the late twentieth century, this study examines how women's writing intersects with feminist discourse across various fields, including literary criticism and cultural studies. It emphasizes the formation of selfhood through relationships and community commitments, challenging the traditional view of women's roles. By analyzing poetic voices and self-representation, the author highlights the aesthetic power of literature as a means of engaging with the public sphere and expressing communal identities.
Focusing on interpretive quests, this book explores the deeper meanings behind the Harry Potter series, highlighting how these narratives invite readers to uncover patterns and their implications. Through analysis, it emphasizes the significance of understanding the layers of meaning woven throughout the stories, enriching the reading experience and revealing the broader consequences of the characters' journeys.
Levinas, Derrida, Scholem
Judaic cultures exhibit an exceptional commitment to language, encompassing texts, books, scrolls, and various forms of learning and interpretation that are integral to their spiritual and experiential practices. Unlike philosophical and theological traditions that often regard language as secondary, Judaic traditions place language at the forefront. Traditional metaphysics has historically prioritized the immaterial and unchanging, viewing truth as something language can only imperfectly convey. However, this perspective has faced critique since Nietzsche, a theme explored by the author. Shira Wolosky contends that Judaic traditions align with contemporary metaphysical critiques rather than oppose them. By analyzing the works of Derrida, Levinas, Scholem, and others, the author investigates Judaic interpretation in the context of biblical exegesis and sign-theory, which reshapes the understanding of language in relation to Judaic textuality. The study also contrasts negative theology within Judaic tradition with those that reject language. It outlines a discourse ethics informed by Judaic language theory. This work is aimed at students and scholars in Judaic thought, religious studies, and theology, as well as those interested in interpretation theory and modern Jewish philosophy, highlighting how Jewish discussions on language engage with pressing contemporary issues of value and norms.