Orientalism, Modernism, and the American Poem

Exploring the intersection of Oriental influences and American modernist poetry, the book delves into the works of Emerson, Fenollosa, Pound, and Snyder. It argues that the quest for a natural poetic language mirrors the Renaissance's mythical "language of Adam." Kern contextualizes these literary figures within the broader cultural study of Orientalism and the evolution of linguistic theory, illuminating how these elements shape contemporary American poetry. The analysis reveals a rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual connections that redefine modernist expression.