American Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century (American Women Writers)
This volume of 27 women poets whose works deserve more recognition intends to be revisionist, making available both minorities (black and Jewish) and writers from the Far West (as opposed to New York and Boston) that have not been previously represented. The selections reveal a wide range of themes: slavery and abolition; doubt and religious consolation; insanity and consumption; female education and equal access; opium and alcoholism; the plight of Native Americans; tributes to Lincoln and freedom; and love, sanctuary, hardship, and secret sorrow. Walker provides a long introduction on the period and evaluative author notes, which are helpful since most writers will not be familiar. Though contemporary poems differ noticeably in form from those found here, readers will find numerous good poems with more than historical interest. For those who believe literary canons need reconstruction, this new anthology will be welcome.- Addie Lee Bracy, formerly with Beaver Coll. Lib., Glenside, Pa.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.