Jules Laforgue was an innovative French poet, with his work often described as part-symbolist, part-impressionist. He was among the first French poets to embrace free verse, significantly influenced by Walt Whitman. Philosophically, his thinking was deeply shaped by Schopenhauer and Von Hartmann. Laforgue's poetry proved to be a major influence on the younger T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, with his style heralded as a new manner in English literature.
As the first complete collection of free verse in French, this work showcases the innovative poetic style of Jules Laforgue. It presents a unique exploration of themes such as existentialism and the human experience, reflecting the emotional depth and complexity of his thoughts. Laforgue's distinctive voice and avant-garde approach to poetry mark a significant milestone in literary history, influencing future generations of poets.
Patricia Terry was Professor of French Literature at Barnard College and the University of California San Diego. Her recent titles include Capital of Pain by Paul +luard (with Mary Ann Caws and Nancy Kline), Lancelot and the Lord of the Distant Isles: or, The Book of Galehaut Retold (with Samuel N. Rosenberg), The Sea and Other Poems by Guillevic, and a book of her own poems, Words of Silence. At present, in collaboration with Nancy Kline, she is working on an anthology of the poems and prose of Jules Supervielle (Black Widow Press 2011). She and Nancy Kline are also collaborating on a second volume of Jules Laforgue's work, Legends and Morals. --Book Jacket.