The Prose Works of Saint-John Perse: Towards an Understanding of His Poetry

The purpose of this book is to elucidate and explain the themes, images and style of the poetry of Saint-John Perse through a critical study of the letters, speeches, testimonials, tributes and articles of the poet-diplomat. The substance of these prose works treats Perse’s preoccupation with the creative process in several contexts - individual, social, philosophical, literary, cultural and political. The prose works examined include the Lettres de Jeunesse, the Lettres d'Asie, the Lettres d'Exil, the speeches entitled Poesie and Pour Dante, several of the Temoignages Litteraires and Hommages, as well as some of the poet’s critical articles on music.