Imagism in Modern Poetry - Hilda Doolittle and Ezra Pound

Explore the Imagist school of poetry in this 46-minute lecture from Yale University's Modern Poetry course. Delve into the defining characteristics of Imagism through Ezra Pound's prose and examine representative works by Hilda Doolittle, including "Garden," "Sea Rose," and "Oread." Analyze Pound's seminal Imagist poem "In a Station of the Metro" and his commentary on its composition. Investigate Pound's work with foreign languages, particularly Chinese, through his translations of Li Po's "Jewel Stairs' Grievance" and "River Merchant's Wife: A Letter." Gain insights into the Imagist movement's impact on modern poetry and its emphasis on precise, vivid imagery.

Syllabus

- Chapter 1. Introduction: Hilda Doolittle.
- Chapter 2. What Was Imagism?.
- Chapter 3. Hilda Doolittle Poems: "Garden" and "Sea Rose".
- Chapter 4. Hilda Doolittle Poem: "Oread".
- Chapter 5. Ezra Pound Poem: "In a Station of the Metro".
- Chapter 6. Li Po Poem Translation by Ezra Pound: "Jewel Stairs' Grievance".
- Chapter 7. Li Po Poem Translation by Ezra Pound: "River Merchant's Wife: A Letter".