The Importance of Words The Imagist Movement

“Imagism”: A definition “Clarity of expression through the use of precise verbal images” This movement was popular from 1910-1917

Main Tenets of Imagism Be economic in your word use—every word in your poem must have a specific use. Otherwise…get rid of it! Be direct. Don’t talk around the idea. “Compose in sequence of the musical phrase.” In other words, use free verse instead of sticking to a specific rhythm.

Some Imagist Poets Ezra Pound H.D. (Hilda Dolittle) Amy Lowell William Carlos Williams

Example of Imagist Poetry so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens. William Carlos Williams “Red Wheelbarrow”

Effects on Poetry All poetry is somewhat imagist. Words are important because poetry is usually short. Poets are artists who use words to paint pictures in our minds. If we can understand the imagery in a poem, we will usually come closer to understanding the poem as a whole.

References Clark, Robert. “Imagism.” The Literary Encyclopedia. http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=542 Williams, William Carlos. “Red Wheelbarrow.” Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym. 2001.