Report by Yaxuan Wang, Class of 2027
On Wednesday afternoon, about 40 DKU faculty, staff, and students attended a lecture by Dorothy J. Wang, Professor of American Studies at Williams College and a prominent scholar in contemporary poetics. Prof. Wang’s acclaimed book, Thinking Its Presence: Form, Race, and Subjectivity in Contemporary Asian American Poetry, examines the intersections of literary form, race, and identity, challenging traditional notions of form as a neutral aspect of poetry.
Prof. Wang began by sharing her personal and family background in literature and poetry, leading into her exploration of English poetics. She introduced two perspectives: the traditional approach, which often overlooks a poet’s cultural or racial identity and focuses on analyzing poetic techniques, and a more inclusive view that considers biography and history as central to understanding poetry. Through a close reading of Louise Glück’s “The Past,” she examined the poem’s “presumed speaker” and “audience,” demonstrating how identity shapes both poetic content and its interpretation.
Prof. Wang then discussed the concept of “form,” arguing that it’s not a neutral construct but one influenced by cultural and racial contexts. Traditional criticism’s emphasis on “formal complexity” as a standard of artistic value can marginalize minority poets, whose forms may differ due to unique backgrounds. She called for a broader understanding of form that respects diverse expressions.
In the Q&A, participants asked about approaching poetry in other languages, understanding modern Chinese poetry, and the possibility of integrating other languages into English poetry. Prof. Wang acknowledged the difficulties, citing political factors and resistance, yet emphasized the importance of including varied voices in our understanding of poetry in English.
Prof. Wang concluded by highlighting DKU’s unique role as an international platform for exploring a more inclusive approach to poetics, envisioning it as a space where diverse cultural and linguistic perspectives can enrich our understanding of poetry.
The event was organized by Stephanie Anderson, Assistant Professor of Literature and Creative Writing, was sponsored by the Humanities Research Center.
