Master's Theses

Department

Advanced Education Programs

Degree Name

Education Specialist (Ed.S)

Abstract

In examining the works of Neihardt, the writer has been impressed with the theme that apparently preoccupies this poet, namely, the epic qualities evident in the great mood of courage that was developed west of the Missouri River in the nineteenth century. Neihardt contends that this period with which the A Cycle of the West (1949) deals was one of discovery, exploration, and settlement -- a genuine epic period, differing in no essential from the other great epic periods that marked the advance of the Inda-European peoples out of Asia and across Europe. Furthermore, by composing The Song of Hugh Glass, The Song of the Three Friends, The Song of the Indian Wars, The Song of the Messiah, and The Song of Jed Smith, Neihardt asserts that he has written the only truly valid American epic and that he considers himself the epic poet of the West. This assertion has produced the problem: Can Neihardt be considered an epic poet? Has he produced an epic? What literary merits, if any, may be attributed to his Cycle? The fact that there is justification for examining the claims and the works of Neihardt is obvious. Neihardt is an American writer who claims to be the epic poet of our country. To date, there has been no critic nor student who has made a detailed study to evaluate Neihardt's claim in the light of his actual achievement.

Keywords

John G. Neihardt (1881-1973), Authors, Poetry, Biographies, Literary criticism, American literature

Advisor

Dr. Clifford Edwards

Date of Award

Spring 1967

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

For questions contact ScholarsRepository@fhsu.edu

Download

Off Campus FHSU Users Click Here

Share

COinS