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One In Ten

I recently made a list, for fun, of the most popular 20th century (deceased) British poets. These had to be ones whose work had truly entered the public imagination, and language, and were almost universally famous. The list was Kipling, Owen, Eliot, Auden, Dylan Thomas, Larkin, and Hughes. I then noticed that they corresponded more or less directly with decades (that is 00-10, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s). I suppose Hardy, Brooke and Betjeman might wreck this, but who else? I don't think this list represents the most innovative, or even enjoyable, poets - but it did suggest to me what I had long suspected - the public cannot endure too much poetry. For them, one (or so) poet every decade is just about right. The Americans tend to get two in each decade...
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Rachel said…
Todd! Why no women? Surely Sylvia Plath at least, and there Stevie Smith - not waving but drowning - and many others relegated to the 'womens poetry' collections. In an industry where men and their agendas and aesthetics dominate - both media and publishing - perhaps this isn't so surprising; same old same old. But I'm surprised at you. The more people 'forget' the women, the more it continues. The cult of the 'great man' goes on as ever...
Wed Dec 05, 09:29:00 am 2007
EYEWEAR said…
Plath I think remains ultimately an American poet. Stevie Smith could well be added to that list - indeed should be. No need to be "surprised at me". I am very interested in British poets like Charlotte Mew and Lynette Roberts. I was making a point about the limited range of the general public. Most know nothing of poetry...
Wed Dec 05, 11:36:00 am 2007
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