Apocalyptic messianism and contemporary Jewish-American poetry

282 Pages·1986·0.67 MB·English

by  R. Barbara Gitenstein

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.