Berryman

It seems to be a trend of these confessional poets…. I just read in Berryman’s biography that he also attempted suicide in 1931. Maybe, all that inward reflection adds to one’s problems. I think it’s important that these poets took personal experience and put them into their poetry. But, maybe using that experience to help others or reflect on the circumstances of others would have made it less painful (and, less narcissistic) for them.

But, these were some extremely successful poets too. “Dream Songs” won the Pulitzer Prize (like the other poets we’ve discussed this week) for Berryman. I don’t know what to think of the “Dream Songs” we were assigned. They were difficult but, interesting to read.

I think it’s interesting to read Lowell’s criticism of Berryman’s work on the MAPS website. Especially, since Robert Lowell was so influential to Berryman, Plath, and Sexton.