Elisa New on Poetry in America and Beyond

Emily Dickinson

Elisa New offers a nuanced perspective on Emily Dickinson's poetry, highlighting its visual and emotional depth. She discusses how Martha Nell Smith views Dickinson's manuscripts as visual texts, akin to calligraphy, emphasizing the importance of original punctuation like dashes, which add a unique rhythm and emotional texture to her work 1. New also addresses Camille Paglia's interpretation of Dickinson as a poet of trauma, noting her ability to evoke intense sensory experiences and existential themes 2.

Dickinson is a poet who will say that the sound of the robins or the look of the daffodils mangles her, that she's sometimes without boundaries, without filters, without protections.

--- Elisa New

New's own view of Dickinson as a "skeptical Kierkegaardian" reflects the existential leaps present in each poem, where every word is meticulously chosen to convey profound meaning.

   

Whitman's Language

Walt Whitman's innovative use of language is deeply intertwined with his democratic ideals, as Elisa New explains. She describes how Whitman's experiences in the burgeoning urban landscape of Brooklyn shaped his inclusive and diverse poetic voice, reflecting the dynamic and multicultural environment around him 3. New appreciates the evolution of American English, celebrating its adaptability and richness, which she believes is evident in the way language continues to refresh itself through cultural and technological changes 4.

Whitman has this fresh and original understanding of how a city wants to be a locus of democracy.

--- Elisa New

This linguistic fluidity, according to New, allows for a vibrant expression of democratic consciousness in Whitman's work.

   

Poets' Personas

Elisa New explores the personas of contemporary poets, emphasizing their diverse contributions to literature. She highlights Robert Frost as a radical poet who intertwines joy with pain, challenging traditional perceptions of his work 5. New also discusses the complex legacies of poets like Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot6.

For whatever reason, great art is often fertilized by bad character.

--- Elisa New

She argues that while personal flaws exist, the artistic value of their work can still offer profound insights.