Early Stevens

by Leggett, B. J.

• ISBN13: 9780822312017
• ISBN10: 0822312018
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1992-05-01
• Publisher: Duke Univ Pr

Summary

In recent years Nietzsche has emerged as a presiding genius of our intellectual epoch. Although scholars have noted the influence of Nietzsche's thought on Wallace Stevens, the publication ofEarly Stevensestablishes, for the first time, the extent to which Nietzsche pervades Steven's early work. Concentrating on poems published between 1915 and 1935-but moving occasionally into later poems, as well as letters and essays-B. J. Leggett draws together texts of Stevens and Nietzsche to produce new and surprising readings of the poet's early work. This intertextual critique reveals previously undisclosed ideologies operating at the margins of Stevens's work, enabling Leggett to read aspects of the poetry that have until now been unreadable. Leggett's analysis demonstrates that the Nietzschean presence in Stevens brings with it certain assumptions that need to be made explicit if the form of the poetry is to be understood. Though many critics have discussed the concept of intertextuality, few have attempted a truly intertextual reading of a particular poet.Early Stevensnot only develops an exemplary model of such a reading; it also provides crucial insights into Stevens's notions of femininity, virility, and poetry and elucidates the notions of art, untruth, fiction, and interpretation in both Stevens and Nietzsche.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Abbreviations	p. xi
Nietzsche Reading Stevens	p. 1
Stevens Reading Nietzsche	p. 32
Apollonian and Dionysian in Harmonium: "Peter Quince at the Clavier"	p. 52
The Innocence of Becoming: Stevens' Transvaluation of Christian Values	p. 83
High-Toned Christian Women: Femininity and Virile Poetry	p. 123
Stevens' Perspectivism I: Stylistic Pluralism	p. 149
Steven' Perspectivism II: Chaos and Order	p. 178
Conclusion: Art and Untruth	p. 213
Notes	p. 253
References	p. 259
Index	p. 265
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