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.