Apocalyptic messianism and contemporary Jewish-American poetry PDF
Preview Apocalyptic messianism and contemporary Jewish-American poetry
Apocalyptic Messianism and Contemporary title: Jewish-American Poetry SUNY Series in Modern Jewish Literature and Culture author: Gitenstein, R. Barbara. publisher: State University of New York Press isbn10 | asin: 0887061559 print isbn13: 9780887061554 ebook isbn13: 9780585090566 language: English American poetry--Jewish authors--History and criticism, Judaism and literature-- United States--History--20th century, Jewish religious poetry, American--History subject and criticism, American poetry--20th century--History and criticism, Apocalyptic literature--H publication date: 1986 lcc: PS153.J4G5 1986eb ddc: 811/.54/098924 American poetry--Jewish authors--History and criticism, Judaism and literature-- United States--History--20th century, subject: Jewish religious poetry, American--History and criticism, American poetry--20th century--History and criticism, Apocalyptic literature--H Page i Apocalyptic Messianism and Contemporary Jewish-American Poetry Page ii SUNY Series in Modern Jewish Literature and Culture Sarah Blacher Cohen, Editor Page iii Apocalyptic Messianism and Contemporary Jewish-American Poetry R. Barbara Gitenstein State University of New York Press Page iv Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 1986 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, address State University of New York Press, State University Plaza, Albany, N.Y., 12246 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gitenstein, R. Barbara, 1948- Apocalyptic messianism and contemporary Jewish-American poetry. (SUNY series in modern Jewish literature and culture) Bibliography: p. 125 Includes index. 1. American poetryJewish authorsHistory nd criticism. 2. Jewish religious poetry, AmericanHistory and criticism. 3. Apocalyptic literatureHistory and criticism. 4. Messiah in literature. 5. American poetry20th century History and criticism. I. Title. II. Series. PS153.J4G5 1985 811´.54´098924 8512542 ISBN 0-88706-154-0 ISBN 0-88706-155-9 (pbk.) Page v For my Mother, Shekinah in Exile Page vii Contents Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii Introduction 1 Chapter 1. Definitions and Historical Contexts 11 Chapter 2. Apocalyptic Historiography and the Messianic 37 Hopeful Chapter 3. Allegory and the Messianic Story 57 Chapter 4. The Messianic Ontology 83 Conclusion 109 Notes 113 Bibliography 125 Index 133 Page ix Preface Apocalyptic Messianism and Contemporary Jewish-American Poetry is an analysis of how an overlooked Jewish tradition has influenced an overlooked literary genre: apocalyptic messianism is overlooked by rabbinic authority and Jewish-American poetry by literary critics. I have chosen to discuss the apocalyptic messianic influence for two reasons: first, its influence is growing, both in the number and significance of the poets manifesting this influence, and in the variety of apocalyptic references that make up that influence; and second, it is a surprising influence, contradictory to the rabbinic interpretation of Judaism. Though the body of Jewish-American poetry is more various than the analysis might imply, the limitation of the study provides some revealing conclusions about the literary canon of American Jews, particularly in contrast with that of European Jews. As is made clear in my first chapter on definitions, a tie is indicated between a group of contemporary poets and one esoteric aspect of the long heritage of kabbalah. The series of books necessary to discuss the kabbalistic influence on twentieth-century Jewish-American poetry will be long and complex, with at least one volume dedicated to the study of the Zohar's impact. But the restricted focus is a limitation in types of sources, not types of poetry. The poetry discussed is remarkably various, ranging from John Hollander's formalistic verse, to Jerome Rothenberg's open-ended forms.
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