October 13, 2023
2023-10-13T09:30:00
1011 Nichols Road
Monona, WI 53716
FREE and Open to the Public
Scholarly Scoop Transferring Human Energy, Muriel Rukeyser on Poetry's Uses
Friday, October 13, 2023
Poetry might seem irrelevant when it comes to contemporary issues such as global warming, economics, and civil rights. Muriel Rukeyser (1913-1980), grappled with poetry's place amidst the turmoil of her era, exploring industrial malfeasance, racial inequities, wars, gender, sexuality, and other issues. Working against the grain of dominant literary trends, Rukeyser theorized the utility of poetry. During this presentation, we will delve into Rukeyser's documentary poem, "The Book of the Dead" (1938) on the Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster, to analyze her work and explore ways in which we can personally harness its potential.
Trudi Witonsky is an associate professor in the department of Literature, Writing, and Film at UW-Whitewater. Her areas of specialization are first-year composition and American Literature. Before she worked at UW-Whitewater, she taught GED classes in Madison jails, and helped coordinate pre-college programs at Madison College.