“Ariadne and the rest”: Metamorphoses and transformations in A.E. Stallings' early poetry

Abstract

The main focus in this thesis is metamorphoses and transformations in A.E. Stallings’ early poetry, where I explicate poems from her two volumes of poetry, Archaic Smile (1999) and Hapax (2006). The volumes share similarities, such as thematic use, however, the volumes are different on many terms as well. I argue that a shift has happened from volume one and volume two, and argue my case that Stallings herself has gone through a change due to various reasons which this thesis will try to unravel.

In the introduction I will present A.E. Stallings and some of her background, possible influences and writing style, moreover introduce my thesis statement. In chapter I, New Formalism will undergo a critical discussion, as the movement is often linked to A.E. Stallings, which she strongly dislikes. In this chapter I also draw in Ovid’s Metamorphoses and argue that A.E. Stallings, due to many reasons, must be influenced by the work. In chapter II, the poems from Archaic Smile with metamorphosis or transformation are going through explications, and the same happens in chapter III, although now the poems from Hapax with metamorphosis and transformation are the target. The last chapter, IV, contains conclusions of my findings, in addition to some comparisons between the volumes of poetry. In this chapter I will answer the questions from my thesis statement. At the end of the thesis is an appendix with an e-mail from A.E. Stallings, where she replies back from questions I have asked her in a previous e-mail. She is aware that I write a master’s thesis about her poetry, and she says she is honored that I write about this.