"the future / A repetition, only, with variations":
Reactions
|
 |
"An Audience Research Report," BBC, March 31, 1965
Prior to publication "Misanthropos" was performed by Alan
Dobie and Julian Glover for the BBC (Third Programme, March 8, 1965).
Following the performance, an audience research report was compiled,
which indicated equally mixed reactions. Participants praised the
poem as "thought-provoking" and "of great relevance
to the human condition," while others found the poem to be "an
irritating mixture of the mystical and mundane," with a "very
complex meaning."
|
 |
Notebook entry, March-April 1967
Gunn reflects on the publication of Touch, describing the collection
of poems as a "mix-up of a book" and "experimental."
Specifically he writes that "Misanthropos" may be "pompous
in its conception." Gunn also identifies his writing as "still
very English," despite his having spent close to ten years in
the United States.
|
 |
"Thom Gunn writes… circa 1967
Responding to the Poetry Book Society's selection of Touch as the
"Autumn Choice" for its Bulletin, Gunn submitted this typescript
essay for inclusion in the Bulletin, published in the September 1967
issue. Gunn addresses his intentions and specifically mentions "Misanthropos,"
"Confessions of the Life Artist," and "The Goddess,"
poems published in Touch.
|
|
