Poems 1918-21, Including Three Portraits and Four Cantos (ePub)

Ezra Pound's 'Poems 1918-21, Including Three Portraits and Four Cantos' offers a profound glimpse into the transitional period of modernist poetry, with Pound at the helm of this literary movement. The poems are marked by their innovative use of language and form, as well as their engagement with historical and cultural motifs. The poetic voices found within 'Homage to Sextus Propertius' and 'Hugh Selwyn Mauberley' underscore Pound's critique of contemporary society and the state of the arts, while 'Langue d'oc' and 'Medallion' exhibit his mastery in bringing a modern sensibility to classical themes and images. This collection stands at a crucial juncture in literary history, encapsulating the early 20th-century avant-garde spirit and the poet's shift toward his epic masterpiece, The Cantos.
Ezra Pound, an American expatriate and a leading figure in the early modernist movement, brought to his poetry an unparalleled linguistic precision and a deep reverence for historical and literary tradition. His experiences during World War I, the rise of industrialism, and the rapid changes in art and society profoundly influenced his work. The poems from 1918-21 reflect Pound's intense disillusionment with the war-ravaged world and his yearning for a renewal of art and culture, while also showcasing his role as an advocate for economic and cultural reform.
For scholars, students, and admirers of modernist poetry, 'Poems 1918-21, Including Three Portraits and Four Cantos' provides a vital window into Pound's artistic evolution and the broader impulses of the period. This collection will not only enrich readers' understanding of Pound's own oeuvre but also serve as an essential touchstone for those exploring the dynamics of the early 20th-century literary landscape. The richness of reference and bold experimentation make this work an indispensable addition to any collection of modernist literature.