Focusing on the Depression-era United States, this study challenges traditional views of poetry and poetics by examining archival materials and theories from the 1930s left. Ehlers offers fresh interpretations of notable poets like Langston Hughes and Muriel Rukeyser, while also highlighting lesser-known figures. The work emphasizes the innovative poetic modes and genres used by communist-affiliated poets, arguing that their contributions are vital for understanding modern poetry and the interplay between poetic form and historical change.
