The Poet as Analyst - by James R Lawler (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Poet as Analyst: Essays on Paul Valéry is a profound exploration of the intellectual and artistic pursuits of one of France's most celebrated poets and thinkers. Through a series of essays, the book examines Valéry's dual identity as both a poet and an analyst, shedding light on his meticulous process of refining language and ideas to achieve unparalleled clarity and control. The author delves into Valéry's lesser-known works, such as the extensive Cahiers and several manuscripts, offering readers a unique glimpse into the evolution of his thoughts and creative processes. By tracing his thematic and formal development across decades, the book not only highlights the analytical rigor behind Valéry's artistry but also reveals his enduring quest to balance intellectual precision with emotional depth.

The essays present a chronological and thematic journey through Valéry's work, from early poems like "Sinistre" to late masterpieces such as La Jeune Parque. The analysis emphasizes his ability to blend reason and emotion, revealing a poet who used his art to explore profound personal and universal questions. The book also contextualizes Valéry's intellectual legacy, discussing his influences, such as Stéphane Mallarmé, and his impact on contemporaries like T.S. Eliot. Ultimately, The Poet as Analyst celebrates Valéry's achievements while probing the complexities of his creative and philosophical endeavors, portraying him as a restless seeker of transcendence through language and thought.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.