Meter in English: A Critical Engagement

by David Baker

Overview

Renowned poets and experts in metrics respond to Robert Wallace's pivotal essay which clarifies and simplifies methods of studying poetry. Former United States Poet Laureate Robert Hass has called Wallace's essay a paradigm shift in our understanding of English prosody.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610752640
Publisher:	University of Arkansas Press
Publication date:	01/01/1997
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	396
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

David Baker is author or editor of fourteen books of poetry and criticism. He holds the Thomas B. Fordham Chair at Denison University, teaches regularly in the Warren Wilson College MFA program, and is the poetry editor of the Kenyon Review.

Table of Contents

Contents Introduction A Table of Metrical Feet Meter in English Meter in English: A Response Metrical Diversity: A Defense of the Non-Iambic Meters Meter-Making Arguments "Come, and Trip It": A Response to Robert Wallace Some Responses to Robert Wallace Prosody: A New Footing Words Moving: Metrical Pleasures of Our Time Our Many Meters: Strength in Diversity Meter and the Fortunes of the Numerical Imagination Staunch Meter, Great Song Verse vs. Prose/Prosody vs. Meter Wallace's Razor: Metrics and Pedagogical Economy Two Letters Real Meter in Imaginary English:A Response to Robert Wallace Completing the Circle Bibliography Contributors Index of Proposal Discussions Index of Authors

Editorial Reviews

In 1993, the poet Robert Wallace sent editor Baker and others an essay (included here) called "Meter in English," which seeks to clarify its subject through a series of propositions, the main being that there are only iambic meters in English. Baker, the author of four books of poetry himself (most recently, After the Reunion, Univ. of Arkansas Pr., 1994), circulated the essay to 14 distinguished formal poets, including Eavan Boland, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Robert Haas, and Richard Wilbur, each of whom has written a response. These rejoinders range from nodding agreement to vigorous challenge; Annie Finch, for example, sticks up for anapests and dactyls with a devotee's zeal. In the final essay, Robert Wallace returns to meditate on the points raised by the others. There may be more to say on the subject of English prosody in the future, but anyone who tries will have to begin with this exhaustive consideration of the topic. Highly recommended.David Kirby, Florida State Univ., Tallahassee

Library Journal