The Theme of Loss in the Poetry of Randall Jarrell
Abstract
Randall Jarrell has been hailed as "the greatest American
war poet." He has also been assailed as being too "radically
sentimental." By some he is thought great, by others
only minor at best. Because I think his major thesis of Loss
is presented skillfully in numerous modes, taking numerous
forms, I have tried to set down here a chronological study
of Jarrell's poetry, tracing that theme, with its coordinate
themes. The purpose of this study is, then, to present to
the reader an introduction to the poetry of Randall Jarrell,
in the hopes that he may enjoy and appreciate the valuable
insights Jarrell contributed to American poetry.