Power and Poetry

Kenneth Patchen’s Critique of Classicism

  • Maria Anita Stefanelli

Abstract

The essay analyses the intellectual involvement of Kenneth Patchen with the culture of power as promoted by fascism in Italy in the 1930s. Through a discussion of poems from Cloth of the Tempest (1943) it shows how Patchen offered a deformed and parodic version of the cult of romanitas based upon a manipulation of Italy's past classical tradition, and how he proceeded towards a radical innovation in representation.

Pubblicato
2000-09-01
Sezione
Articles