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Macpherson, Jay. The Boatman and Other Poems. First Edition. Toronto, Oxford University Press, 1968. Octavo. IX, 86 pages. Original Softcover, illustrated with an ornament derived from a design by Jean de Beaugrand for the arms of the Dauphin (1604). Some signs of foxing to the edges. Otherwise in very good condition. Jean Jay Macpherson (June 13, 1931 – March 21, 2012) was a Canadian lyric poet and scholar. The Encyclopædia Britannica calls her a member of 'the mythopoeic school of poetry,' who expressed serious religious and philosophical themes in symbolic verse that was often lyrical or comic. Macpherson has been described as a 'mythopoeic' poet – rooted in the teachings of Frye, the archetypes of Carl Jung, and the intensely conservative social vision of T.S. Eliot.] Within her work, recurring themes involve the creation, fall, flood, redemption and the apocalypse. Her interest is in authentic myth, the ones that have some imaginative force behind them. (Wikipedia).
The collection explores the intersection of human experience and ancient archetypes through a series of lyrical meditations on creation, fall, and redemption. MacPherson utilizes a mythopoeic framework to examine the cyclical nature of existence, positioning the poet as a navigator of symbolic landscapes. The poems operate within a structured, often formal verse style, drawing upon biblical and classical motifs to challenge the reader's perception of historical and spiritual reality. Through these verses, the author navigates the tension between the mundane world and the eternal patterns that underpin human consciousness.
Readers and critics frequently identify MacPherson as a central figure in the mythopoeic school of poetry, noting her deep intellectual engagement with the work of Northrop Frye. Discussion often centers on her ability to synthesize complex theological and philosophical concepts into accessible, rhythmic verse. Many observers highlight the consistency of her symbolic vocabulary, which remains a hallmark of her literary output throughout her career. The collection is often praised for its structural discipline and the clarity with which it presents profound existential questions to the reader.
Page Count:
96
Publication Date:
1968-01-01
Publisher:
Toronto, Oxford University Press, 1968.
ISBN-10:
0196807743
ISBN-13:
9780196807744
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