Internal Resistances: The Poetry of Edward Dorn offers a comprehensive analysis of Edward Dorn's work, examining his distinctive poetic voice and his critique of American society. This volume presents Dorn as a poet who, through his nomadic and marginal lifestyle, engages with and challenges the socio-political and cultural narratives of his time. Central to Dorn's work is his ability to weave historical and social contexts into his poetry, using humor, irony, and moral inquiry to dissect issues like capitalism, racism, and the myths of the American West. The title metaphor, "Internal Resistances," encapsulates Dorn's dual identity as both a critic of societal norms and an artist deeply entrenched in those very contradictions.
The book spans Dorn's career, covering major works such as Slinger, his magnum opus, alongside his shorter poems and essays. Contributors explore Dorn's use of wit, song, and satire, illustrating his capacity to balance didacticism with poetic subtlety. Essays delve into his engagement with Native American themes, his satirical portrayal of capitalist figures, and his critique of institutional language and power. By framing Dorn as a modern Swiftian figure, the book highlights his refusal to conform to literary and cultural expectations, asserting his place as a significant, though often overlooked, voice in American poetry. This collection ultimately situates Dorn as a moral and innovative poet whose work challenges the boundaries of "postmodern" poetry, extending its reach into political and ethical discourse.
This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1985.
