Theodore+Roethke+P.5



Theodore Roethke(1908-1963) was an eccentric man. Throughout his life, he went through periods of intense depression and excitement, and through it all, he wrote poetry. His more popular pieces revolve around a greenhouse his family owned, within which he spent a great deal of time as a child. These poems were seen by some to be evidence of Roethke's character growth. According to one biography, "'Roethke reached the center of his memory and found his wholly individual idiom,' wrote Louis Martz in 'A Greenhouse Eden.' On a mission of self-discovery, Roethke regresses into his own past to rediscover his beginnings--a sort of going back in order to go forward," (Roethke 1). The book that contained this particular collection drew international interest. Roethke strove to show others good writing stemmed from detailed observation, and in doing so, inspired his students and all those who read his work (Roethke 1). Much of his writing was geared to impress his peers and those he respected, as he was far more interested in their thoughts than those of the average joe. His teaching career influenced a new generation of great poets and showed that humanity could still be found in an objectified world (Roethke 1908).

Poems In a Dark Time Night Journey The Visitant Works Cited:  "Theodore Roethke". //Poets////.// Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 13 May 2013.  "Theodore Roethke 1908-1963". //Poetry Foundation//. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 13 May 2013.