Ezra Pound, Interview in Writers Quotes

A collection of quotes by Ezra Pound, Interview in Writers.

Ezra Pound (1885-1972) was an influential American poet, essayist, and critic who played a significant role in shaping modernist literature. Born in Hailey, Idaho, Pound grew up in a small town before studying at the University of Pennsylvania and later earning a master's degree in romance languages from Hamilton College.

Pound's most notable contributions to poetry came during his time in Europe, where he became a central figure in the literary and artistic movement known as Imagism. Through his own innovative works, such as "The Cantos," Pound experimented with form and language, emphasizing precision and economy of expression. He challenged traditional poetic conventions and sought to reintegrate poetry with music and other arts.

Beyond his own writing, Pound was a champion of other writers' works. He served as a mentor and promoter to many emerging talents, including T.S. Eliot, Hemingway, and Yeats. Pound's critical essays and translations also had a profound impact on the literary landscape.

However, Pound's reputation gradually became overshadowed by controversial political views he espoused during the 1930s and 1940s. He expressed admiration for fascist leaders and made anti-Semitic remarks, leading to his arrest by the American government for treason following World War II. Pound was deemed mentally unfit for trial and spent over a decade in a psychiatric hospital.

Despite the tarnish on his legacy, Pound's innovative approach to poetry and his significant contributions to the modernist movement continue to be recognized and studied today.