Class Description
Quirky, precise, and iconoclastic, Marianne Moore was one of the most influential poets of twentieth century. Her wide-ranging diction, sharply scientific observations, and use of syllable-counted verse went on to shape subsequent generations of poets. Yet, in recent years, her important contributions have been widely neglected. This course provides a key for reading Moore’s strange and wonderful poems as we seek to rediscover the nature of her innovations. How did Moore’s unconventional life contribute to her rise to prominence, and why has her work been largely forgotten? Our course will make use of the Newberry’s extensive collection of Moore’s work and editorial contributions to The Dial, a leading literary magazine of her day. Participants need not have any familiarity with Moore or her work, though some prior knowledge of poetry is helpful.
Alix Anne Shaw has been a poet and teacher for over twenty years. She is the author of three poetry collections: Rough Ground (Etruscan 2018), Dido in Winter (Persea 2014), and Undertow
(Persea 2007). Her work has appeared in journals including Harvard Review, Black Warrior Review, Denver Quarterly, and Fence.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
What to Expect
Format: Virtual
Class Capacity: 12
Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged
Materials List
Required
- Marianne Moore, Marianne Moore: New Collected Poems. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, 2017. ISBN: 9780374221041
- Digital Course Packet
Recommended
First Reading
- For the first class, read the overview of Moore's life and work on the Poetry Foundation website: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/marianne-moore
- Also consider this contemplation on the significance of her work and life: https://lithub.com/in-praise-of-the-difficult-on-marianne-moore-defiant-poet-of-complexity/
- In New Collected Poems read "The Fish" (32), "Poetry" (36), "The Monkeys" (40)" and "Peter" (43). What kind of animal is Peter, and how do you know? Come ready with questions and observations about all four of the poems.
- Recommended but optional: Life and Work: Preface and Chapters 3-7 (pp. 27-97)
A Brief Syllabus
- Moore’s Emergence and Aesthetics (1887-1909)
- Moore’s Innovations (1909-1918)
- Moore and Modernist Women
- Moore at The Dial (1925-29)
- Moore, Bishop, and the Next Generation
- Moore’s Later Life and Popular Appeal
Cost and Registration
6 Sessions, $245 ($220.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($245), Community Supported ($225), and Sponsor ($265). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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