Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Pierce, Catherine
Committee Member
Kardos, Michael P.
Date of Degree
5-1-2020
Original embargo terms
Visible to MSU only for 2 years
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
English
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of English
Department
Department of English
Abstract
In this thesis, I observe the methods modern American poets employ to achieve literary activism in their work. Poets Amiee Nezhukumatathil, Marcus Wicker, and Tracy K. Smith all examine and critique different aspects of American life and culture. Ultimately, I argue that each poet, in their own way, develops a voice that deftly straddles between the personal and public. By doing so, the poets invigorate their work with an authenticity that is crucial in developing an ethos vivacious enough to create a call to action for readers. I will also discuss how I create a similar balance of the personal and public in my own work in order to stir readers into an activist mindset.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/16964
Recommended Citation
Kealhofer, Sam, "Inheritance" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 2732.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2732
Comments
Literary Activism||Activism||Poetry||Protest