Ezra Pound

Biographical Info Born in Idaho but grew up in Pennsylvania Taught at a conservative religious college but led an unconventional lifestyle that didn’t “mesh” with his surroudings Settled in London in 1908 and became a self-appointed spokesman for imagism Became a critic of American life Moved to Paris in 1921, then to Italy in 1924 Supported Benito Mussolini, a Fascist dictator Fascism – one-party dictatorship; forcible suppression of opposition; belligerent nationalism, racism, militarism

Bio cont. Stayed in Italy after WW II broke out Denounced struggles of US and its allies against Germany, Italy, and Japan in radio broadcasts; broadcasts were anti- Semitic Taken prisoner by the American army in 1945 Returned to US to be tried for treason Determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial Committed to St. Elizabeth’s, a hospital for the criminally insane in Washington, D.C., in 1946 Released in 1958 Returned to Italy, where he died (in Venice)

“The River Merchant’s Wife: A Letter”

Stanza 1 River-merchant and his wife when they were children Playing by the gate—she with flowers; he on stilts Stanza 2 An arranged marriage when the speaker was only 14 She respects her husband; however, she is bashful Stanza 3 She learns to love him, so much so that she has no desire to be with anyone else after he dies Stanza 4 He leaves, probably to go to work, and is gone for 5 months She is sad Stanza 5 He did not want to leave Time has gone on, but she remains saddened by things in nature She will rush to meet him if she knows he is coming home.

“The Garden” Dying piecemeal – bit by bit Anemia – lack of vigor; lifelessness Rabble – loud, noisy mob So…what is this poem about?