I don't see why A.E. Houseman should be mentioned in any of the great
debates -- he is surely already part of the canon? I mean his works are
included in the courses on early Twentieth century literature, and he is
often read in connection with the First World War poets, as is Thomas Hardy,
and he is also read as a key figure in the early gay canon. What is the
purpose of his exhumation, to bridge the poetics? Wasn't it I.A. Richards
who after the Houseman critique of Metaphysical Poetry in a 1930's lecture
said that the author of Shropshire Lad" had set the clock back thirty years
or words to that effect. Much could be said if we were to embrace him once
more --I'd rather read Mina Loy or the British equivalent-- or even be
exposed to continental poetry which is grossly underread.
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