After language poetry: innovation and its theoretical discontents

Abstract

From the 70s onwards, the poets of the Language Group have tried to get poetry in step with the philosophical and political issues discussed at the time. They have renewed the discussion about poetry, placing received meanings and forms under suspicion and proposing experiments which dereferentialize meaning. Besides a Marxist - and post-structuralist-based theorization, over the past years these poets have incorporated issues relating to gender and race, enriching their range. Their work shows signs of maturity and remains very challenging.