University of Virginia Library

Lowell Leads Discussion
On Poetic, Political Views

By Rick Pearson

Robert Lowell, hailed as the
dean of American poets, will
continue his two-week stay at the
University in an informal discuss ion
with interested students in the
Informal Lounge of Newcomb Hall
this afternoon at 2 p.m.

Mr. Lowell, Sesquicentennial
Visiting Scholar of the Balch
Lecture Series, began his visit
Wednesday night with a reading of
his more recent poetry. He explained
that most of these poems were
from his new book, entitled "Notebook,
1967-1968," scheduled to be
released in June.

The book consists mainly of
short, 14-line ballads, written in
metric blank verse. The poems
cover a wide range of topics, from
his guinea pig to a recurrent dream
of being trapped in a burning
apartment. In the latter poem, Mr.
Lowell discovered to his dismay
that his only escape was provided
by a "jock" carrying a rope ladder,
which he had to walk across,
dependent on his skill to survive.
"I'd rather die," he said.

After the short poetry reading,
Mr. Lowell answered questions
from the standing-room audience in
the Gilmer Hall Auditorium. He
admitted that the style of his
poetry, which had won him the
Pulitzer Prize and a National Book
Prize for such books as "Life
Studies" and "Lord Weary's
Castle," has changed from the very
personal verse of his earlier years.
He attributed this to maturity and
an increased awareness.

In recent years, Mr. Lowell has
become increasingly more involved
in politics. A conscientious objector
in World War II, his anti-war beliefs
and his involvement in the civil
rights movement have been well-publicized.

These political views, and the
store of knowledge and experience
in poetry acquired since his two
years at Harvard and graduating
summa cum laude from Kenyon
College in 1940, will be on display
in the discussion today and
throughout his stay at the University.
In the next two weeks, Mr.
Lowell will visit English and
creative writing classes in addition
to his lectures.

The discussion today is open to
the public, and Easters dates are
urged to attend also.