Divine Comedies
Encyclopedia
Divine Comedies is the seventh book of poetry by James Merrill
(1926-1995). Published in 1976 (see 1976 in poetry
), the volume includes "Lost in Translation
" and all of The Book of Ephraim. The Book of Ephraim is the first of three books which make up The Changing Light at Sandover
.
Although Merrill had written years before, in "Voices From Another World", of having supernatural
experiences with a Ouija
board, Divine Comedies was far more candid about the extent of a practice which had preoccupied Merrill for several decades. The Book of Ephraim, in taking the spiritual as its working landscape, took confessionalism
to an entirely unexpected territory. Merill believed that many historical poets of eras past, including W. H. Auden
, speak through the Ouija board, as well as Merrill's old friend the filmmaker Maya Deren
.
Some readers dismiss Merrill's unorthodox working methods. The Ouija board, telegraphing its eerie messages in capital letters, conveys poetry through automatic writing
. Merrill's partner, David Jackson
, shared the teacup
and transcription
duties which led to The Book of Ephraim.
Divine Comedies was awarded the Pulitzer Prize
for poetry in 1977.
James Merrill
James Ingram Merrill was an American poet whose awards include the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for Divine Comedies...
(1926-1995). Published in 1976 (see 1976 in poetry
1976 in poetry
Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature .-Events:* Two poems written in 1965 by Mao Zedong just before the Cultural Revolution, including "Two Birds: A Dialogue", are published on January 1-Works published in English:Listed by nation where the work...
), the volume includes "Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation (poem)
"Lost in Translation" is a narrative poem by James Merrill , one of the most studied and celebrated of his shorter works. It was originally published in The New Yorker magazine on April 8, 1974, and published in book form in 1976 in Divine Comedies.The poem opens with a description of a summer...
" and all of The Book of Ephraim. The Book of Ephraim is the first of three books which make up The Changing Light at Sandover
The Changing Light at Sandover
The Changing Light at Sandover is a 560-page epic poem by James Merrill . Sometimes described as a postmodern apocalyptic epic, the poem was published in three separate installments between 1976 and 1980, and in its entirety in 1982...
.
Although Merrill had written years before, in "Voices From Another World", of having supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
experiences with a Ouija
Ouija
The Ouija board also known as a spirit/fire key board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0-9, the words "yes", "no", "hello" and "goodbye", and other symbols and words are sometimes also added to help personalize the board...
board, Divine Comedies was far more candid about the extent of a practice which had preoccupied Merrill for several decades. The Book of Ephraim, in taking the spiritual as its working landscape, took confessionalism
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
to an entirely unexpected territory. Merill believed that many historical poets of eras past, including W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, speak through the Ouija board, as well as Merrill's old friend the filmmaker Maya Deren
Maya Deren
Maya Deren , born Eleanora Derenkowsky, was an American avant-garde filmmaker and film theorist of the 1940s and 1950s...
.
Some readers dismiss Merrill's unorthodox working methods. The Ouija board, telegraphing its eerie messages in capital letters, conveys poetry through automatic writing
Automatic writing
Automatic writing or psychography is writing which the writer states to be produced from a subconscious and/or spiritual source without conscious awareness of the content.-History:...
. Merrill's partner, David Jackson
David Noyes Jackson
David Noyes Jackson was the life partner of poet James Merrill . A writer and artist, Jackson is remembered today primarily for his literary collaboration with Merrill....
, shared the teacup
Teacup
A teacup is a small cup, with or without a handle, generally a small one that may be grasped with the thumb and one or two fingers. It is typically made of a ceramic material. It is usually part of a set, composed of a cup and a matching saucer. These in turn may be part of a tea set in...
and transcription
Transcription (linguistics)
Transcription in the linguistic sense is the systematic representation of language in written form. The source can either be utterances or preexisting text in another writing system, although some linguists only consider the former as transcription.Transcription should not be confused with...
duties which led to The Book of Ephraim.
Divine Comedies was awarded the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
for poetry in 1977.