Robert Bly

Victoria Frenkel Harris traces the aesthetic journey of poet Robert Bly from his early structured works of mystical imagery and lyrical landscapes to his recent explorations of intimate relationships and male socialization. Examining the various ways Bly’s prose poems articulate his opposition to the Vietnam War and his recent writings manipulate more formal patterns in detailing the intricacies of human relationships, Harris labels this evolution in form, subject, and imagery the incorporative consciousness, incorporative because it assimilates Jungian psychological categories, international poetic traditions, and a compelling breadth of topics. Harris relies in part on contemporary feminist theory to throw revealing new light on Bly’s recent works. Though sympathetic to Bly, Harris finds that—in spite of his affirmation of the interaction of psychic, creative, and intellectual energies in both sexes—the poet’s later, erotic poems tend to objectify women in counterproductive ways. Bly’s idealization of woman as a Jungian universal, Harris contends, can blind him toward actual women. Harris is at her best as she delimits with balance and precision the full complexity of the poet’s work.

A Study Guide for Robert Bly's "Come with Me," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Poetry for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Poetry for Students for all of your research needs.

A Study Guide for Robert Bly's "Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Poetry for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Poetry for Students for all of your research needs.

Three dozen reviews and essays examine particular works and overall themes of contemporary American poet Bly, documenting the reception of his work at the various stages of his career. Some are reprinted, others commissioned for the volume. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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William Teft Bly was born 20 Jan 1812 in Norway, Herkimer County, New York to William Bly and Isabella Tefft. He studied for the ministry at Madison Literary and Theological Seminary and preached in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. He married Elizabeth Rose (Miller) Bly, born 26 Sep 1822 in Ohio to Reverend Adam Miller and Sara Prior, 5 May 1839. They moved to Minnesota in 1853. William died 12 June 1897 and is buried at Etna Cemetery near Spring Valley, Minnesota. They were the parents of ten children. Descendants have lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, California, Oregon and elsewhere in the United States.