Ezra Pound and the Symbolist Inheritance

Scott Hamilton's study delves into Ezra Pound's poetic influences, revealing his significant debt to French romantic and symbolist traditions. Unlike previous critiques that focus on a single influence, Hamilton analyzes a wide array of French poets, illustrating the complexity of Pound's borrowing. He highlights a critical blind spot in Pound's vision that led him to engage with romantic elements he initially sought to repress. By examining Pound's dual attraction to various traditions, Hamilton provides insights into the connections between modernist and post-modern sensibilities.