Transcript Ezra Pound
Ezra Pound
1885 - 1972
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 antiSemitic
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?