Jon Stallworthy was a distinguished literary scholar and poet whose work frequently explored themes of war and memory. As a professor of English at Oxford University, he dedicated his life to the study and promotion of literary artistry. His poems and critical writings delve into profound human experiences, particularly the impact of wartime conflicts. Stallworthy's engagement with his own family history inspired poetry that connects personal narratives with broader historical events.
Of all the poets of the First World War, Wilfred Owen most fires the imagination today. This biography is more than a simple account of his life - the childhood spent in the backstreets of Birkenhead and Shrewsbury, the appalling months in the trenches - it is a poet's enquiry into the workings of a poet's mind.
Containing the texts of all the finished poems of Owen's maturity and twelve important fragments, with extensive notes, it derives from Jon Stallworthy's monumental edition of the Complete Poems and Fragments (1983) and is aimed at the student and general reader alike.
Body language and the body of the English language are the entwined themes of this passionate new collection of poems. The centerpiece is "Skyhorse," an ambitious poem that traces the turbulence of three millennia of English history by focusing on the enduring presence of the legendary White Horse of the Berkshire Downs. The latter half of the collection features a candid, passionate sequence of elegies and love poems that gradually shifts focus from the first words in the garden of Eden to the final words of last night’s lovers.
Jon Stallworthy rounded the Horn en route to being born in London. World War II and his colonial inheritance informs the poetry in this collection. The presence of the past has also informed some of his best-known work: No Ordinary Sunday, A Letter From Berlin, and The Almond Tree.
Firmly grounded by the hallmark strengths of all Norton Anthologies—thorough and helpful introductory matter, judicious annotation, complete texts wherever possible—The Norton Anthology of English Literature has been revitalized in this Eighth Edition through the collaboration between six new editors and six seasoned ones. Under the direction of Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor, the editors have reconsidered all aspects of the anthology to make it an even better teaching tool.
Exploring the profound impact of First World War poetry, this book delves into the emotional and historical significance of the era's literary works. Written by a leading scholar, it offers insights into the experiences of soldiers and the broader cultural context, highlighting the poetic responses to the war's horrors. The engaging narrative invites readers to reflect on the enduring legacy of these poems and their relevance in understanding human experiences of conflict and loss.
The Major Authors - Eighth Edition
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