Diversifying the Canon of American First World War Poetry

The First World War had a profound effect on international literature. However, its poetic canon has remained stubbornly British. American war poetry has been excluded from the canon owing in part to vastly different war experiences. American forces did not begin to arrive in Europe until nearly three full years into the war, and many of those men would never see the front line or trench warfare. AEF involvement in the war was recorded in their poetry, which in many cases is not housed in archives belonging to the poets but is instead scattered in newspaper archives around the country. However difficult the research, this poetry provides illustrations of American experiences in the First World War era, and these poems challenge the dominant narrative of poetry that is British, white, and male. African American First World War poetry reflects their unique experiences. Reviving a study of African American war poetry is rediscovering the truth of life for African Americans in the war era. For the purpose of reimagining a more historically inclusive canon, this thesis considers the poetry of African American veteran poet Lucian B. Watkins and African American citizen poet and songwriter Andy Razaf. Similarly, American women and LGBTQ soldiers had invisible experiences in the First World War that can be seen in their poetry. Charles Harding Divine, who was prolifically published during and after the war, and John Allan Wyeth, who invented a new form of the sonnet, will be analyzed. Aline Kilmer, widow of American soldier poet Joyce Kilmer, will serve as representative of American women owing to her prolific writing career and her widowhood. Each chapter will have a biographical-historical approach.<p></p>

Author dc:creator

• R Johnston (9858440)

• First World War
• Poetry
• American First World War Poetry
• Aline Kilmer
• Joyce Kilmer
• John Allan Wyeth
• First World War Poetry
• American First World War Involvement
• African American Poetry
• African American First World War
• Charles Divine
• Andy Razaf
• Lucian B Watkins
• Diversifying the Canon
• 20th century poetry
• American literature
• War poetry
• LGBTQ poetry

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved
• Open Access after 2030-06-09

Identifier

10871/141087

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:figshare.com:article/29844410