American Epic
Several typical characteristics of American epic. These were generated in student exams in Summer, 1998.
| Change/Variety
Technical, Formal Innovation (formal and linguistic) Fragmentation, Discontinuity, Erratic Form Lyric, not narrative, construction Multiplicity of voices Active role of author |
Imitative
of other epics (especially of Whitman)
Voice is direct, informal, frank in tone Colloquial language Reflective, thoughtful Recitation of contemporary cultural markers, specifics of place and time: "cherishing the detail of the nation (and the world)"
|
| Thought
over action
Gives voice to the voiceless/opposes dominant culture; epics of tribes, minorities, focus groups, countercultures; the eccentric self, the regional, marginal Contemplation of important social issues Criticism of War Critical vision of Society Focus on Personal Focus on Movement (journey, quest, movement itself) Focus on Sexuality Focus on the Future
|
Focus
on Self (Celebration and quest of self) (and applying that outward to other
people)
Focus on Nature Focus on Transcendent Experience/the idea of Eternity Focus on Connections, Relations (Love) Focus on Fragmentation, Rootlessness Focus on American content: themes, history, society Focus on contemporary, modern images |
| Hero: | non-traditional, "hero of the mind," a different kind of "epic self," often the poet him/herself; a mind heroic in perception, escaping limits; the "missing" hero-- never well-defined, thus leaving space for growth, change |
| Journey: | internal, personal, abstract (mental, spiritual, emotional, metaphysical); possible journeys, not physical ones |
| Goal: | more abstract, "better society," improved understanding of self |
| Conflict/Opposition: | Conflicts of the self, individual vs. society; Themes of love and war, but more abstract, most anti-war |
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HyperEpos |