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Press Notices by Amy Lowell

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This poem is a creative arrangement of genuine newspaper and magazine reviews of Amy Lowell's poetry books, formatted to resemble a poem.

Poet
Amy Lowell
Core theme
Art
The PoemFull text

Press Notices

Amy Lowell

"These poems arouse interest, and justify it by the result. Miss Lowell is the sister of President Lowell of Harvard. Her art, however, needs no reflection from such distinguished influence to make apparent its distinction. Such verse as this is delightful, has a sort of personal flavour, a loyalty to the fundamentals of life and nationality. . . . The child poems are particularly graceful." -- 'Boston Evening Transcript', Boston, Mass. "Miss Lowell has given expression in exquisite form to many beautiful thoughts, inspired by a variety of subjects and based on some of the loftiest ideals. . . . "The verses are grouped under the captions 'Lyrical Poems', 'Sonnets', and 'Verses for Children'. . . . "It is difficult to say which of these are the most successful. Indeed, all reveal Miss Lowell's powers of observation from the view-point of a lover of nature. Moreover, Miss Lowell writes with a gentle philosophy and a deep knowledge of humanity. . . . "The sonnets are especially appealing and touch the heart strings so tenderly that there comes immediate response in the same spirit. . . . "That she knows the workings of the juvenile mind is plainly indicated by her verses written for their reading." -- 'Boston Sunday Globe', Boston, Mass. "A quite delightful little collection of verses." -- 'Toronto Globe', Toronto, Canada. "The Lyrics are true to the old definition; they would sing well to the accompaniment of the strings. We should like to hear "Hora Stellatrix" rendered by an artist." -- 'Hartford Courant', Hartford, Conn. "Verses that show delicate appreciation of the beautiful, and imaginative quality. A sonnet entitled 'Dreams' is peculiarly full of sympathy and feeling." -- 'The Sun', Baltimore, Md. ---------- By the same author Sword Blades and Poppy Seed Price, $1.25 Opinions of Leading Reviewers "Against the multitudinous array of daily verse our times produce this volume utters itself with a range and brilliancy wholly remarkable. I cannot see that Miss Lowell's use of unrhymed 'vers libre' has been surpassed in English. Read 'The Captured Goddess', 'Music', and 'The Precinct. Rochester', a piece of mastercraft in this kind. A wealth of subtleties and sympathies, gorgeously wrought, full of macabre effects (as many of the poems are) and brilliantly worked out. The things of splendor she has made she will hardly outdo in their kind." -- Josephine Preston Peabody, 'The Boston Herald'. "For quaint pictorial exactitude and bizarrerie of color these poems remind one of Flemish masters and Dutch tulip gardens; again, they are fine and fantastic, like Venetian glass; and they are all curiously flooded with the moonlight of dreams. . . . Miss Lowell has a remarkable gift of what one might call the dramatic-decorative. Her decorative imagery is intensely dramatic, and her dramatic pictures are in themselves vivid and fantastic decorations." -- Richard Le Gallienne, 'New York Times Book Review'. "The book as a whole is notable for the organic relation it bears to life and to art. Miss Lowell can find authentic inspiration equally in the lapidarian stanzas of Henri de Regnier and in the color effects produced by the flicking of the tail of the great northern pike. Her work is always vivid, sincere, poetically energetic. Throughout it run, in the quaint phrase of an old poet, 'bright shoots of everlastingnesse'." -- Ferris Greenslet, in the 'New Republic'. "Such poems as 'A Lady', 'Music', 'White and Green', are well-nigh flawless in their beauty -- perfect 'images'." -- Harriet Monroe, 'Poetry'. End of Project Gutenberg's A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass, by Amy Lowell

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§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

This poem is a creative arrangement of genuine newspaper and magazine reviews of Amy Lowell's poetry books, formatted to resemble a poem. Lowell reflects the literary world back at itself, allowing critics to express their admiration for her work in their own words. Through this, she subtly critiques how poets are perceived, promoted, and characterized by others. It’s a clever, self-reflective piece that navigates the space between poetry and the publishing industry.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. "These poems arouse interest, and justify it by the result. Miss Lowell / is the sister of President Lowell of Harvard."

    Editor's note

    The opening review from the *Boston Evening Transcript* does something revealing right off the bat: it highlights Lowell's family connection before offering any praise for her art. The reviewer tries to backtrack with, "Her art, however, needs no reflection from such distinguished influence," but the damage is done. This mention shows how women writers of that time were often viewed through the lens of the men in their lives first, with their work taking a backseat.

  2. "Miss Lowell has given expression in exquisite form to many beautiful / thoughts, inspired by a variety of subjects..."

    Editor's note

    The *Boston Sunday Globe* review is filled with praise — "loftiest ideals," "gentle philosophy," "deep knowledge of humanity" — but it’s so vague that it barely says anything meaningful. Lowell includes the entire review, and the blandness of the compliments highlights the issue: this is what was considered serious literary criticism, revealing more about the reviewer’s shortcomings than about the poet’s talents.

  3. "A quite delightful little collection of verses." -- 'Toronto Globe'

    Editor's note

    This single-sentence review stands on its own, and its shortness feels almost humorous compared to the lengthy Globe review above. The word "little" carries a lot of weight here—it’s a diminutive that patronizes even as it offers praise. Lowell's choice to use it indicates she picked up on the subtlety.

  4. "The Lyrics are true to the old definition; they would sing well to the / accompaniment of the strings."

    Editor's note

    The *Hartford Courant* aims for a classical standard—viewing the lyric as something intended to be sung—to validate Lowell's work. By specifically mentioning "Hora Stellatrix" (Latin for "Hour of the Stars"), this reviewer demonstrates a genuine engagement with the poems instead of providing generic praise.

  5. "Verses that show delicate appreciation of the beautiful, and / imaginative quality."

    Editor's note

    The *Sun* of Baltimore highlights a sonnet titled "Dreams" for its "sympathy and feeling." The language used is gentle and feminine—words like "delicate" and "sympathy"—echoing the critical terms often associated with women's poetry during that era, even when they may not have been appropriate.

  6. "Against the multitudinous array of daily verse our times produce this / volume utters itself with a range and brilliancy wholly remarkable."

    Editor's note

    The second section turns to critiques of *Sword Blades and Poppy Seed*, which showcases Lowell's more experimental style. Josephine Preston Peabody's review in the *Boston Herald* stands out for its technical depth—she references specific poems, explores *vers libre*, and boldly states that Lowell's free verse remains unmatched in English. This review feels like a conversation among peers, highlighting a clear shift in tone.

  7. "For quaint pictorial exactitude and bizarrerie of color these poems / remind one of Flemish masters and Dutch tulip gardens..."

    Editor's note

    Richard Le Gallienne, writing in the *New York Times Book Review*, draws on visual art comparisons — like Flemish masters, Venetian glass, and moonlight — to illustrate Lowell's imagery. His term "dramatic-decorative" serves as insightful criticism, highlighting how Lowell's poems function as both striking scenes and intricate surfaces simultaneously.

  8. "The book as a whole is notable for the organic relation it bears to / life and to art."

    Editor's note

    Ferris Greenslet in the *New Republic* offers a broad perspective, linking Lowell to French Symbolist Henri de Régnier as well as to vivid natural imagery simultaneously. His closing quote — "bright shoots of everlastingnesse" — taken from an earlier poet, serves as a subtle nod to literary references that reflects Lowell's own approach.

  9. "Such poems as 'A Lady', 'Music', 'White and Green', are well-nigh / flawless in their beauty -- perfect 'images'."

    Editor's note

    Harriet Monroe, the editor of *Poetry* magazine and a key player in American modernism, wraps up the collection with a strong, assured judgment. By placing "images" in quotation marks, she cleverly references Imagism, the movement where Lowell was emerging as a significant figure. This review likely held the most weight for Lowell's standing in the literary world.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

Dry, self-aware, and laced with quiet irony. At first glance, this seems like standard promotional material—a poet sharing her positive reviews. However, the way these reviews are chosen and organized reveals a more discerning perspective. Lowell allows the condescension found in some critiques to shine through, and the shift from vague early responses to more incisive later ones subtly argues what qualifies as meaningful literary criticism.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The family connection ("sister of President Lowell of Harvard")
The tendency to position a female writer in relation to the prestige of a male relative reflects a wider cultural norm that evaluates women’s accomplishments based on their connection to male authority. Lowell presents this observation without further commentary, allowing readers to interpret its implications for themselves.
"Little collection"
The small word "little" in the Toronto Globe review serves as a sign of the condescending language often used to describe women's work — compliments that feel minimized even when they’re intended as praise.
Flemish masters and Venetian glass
Le Gallienne's visual art comparisons reflect the Imagist ideal that Lowell aimed for: poetry as a clear, bright, and carefully crafted object, not just an emotional expression. These images suggest that some critics recognized her true intentions.
"Bright shoots of everlastingnesse"
Greenslet's borrowed phrase from the metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan implies that Lowell's work holds a lasting significance. It also highlights the rich literary tradition she engaged with, even while she was pioneering new forms.
The progression from vague to precise reviews
The shift from vague, complimentary phrases like "delightful" and "beautiful thoughts" to pointed critiques that reference specific poems, movements, and comparisons reflects the trajectory of Lowell's rising reputation and highlights the distinction between mere acknowledgment and true involvement.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Amy Lowell published her first collection, *A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass*, in 1912, followed by her second, *Sword Blades and Poppy Seed*, in 1914. By this time, she had emerged as a prominent figure in the Imagist movement in American poetry, which valued clear, vivid imagery and free verse over the sentimentality of the Victorian era. "Press Notices" serves as an appendix to *A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass*, featuring actual reviews of both books. Including such notices was a common practice among publishers in the early 20th century. What makes Lowell's approach noteworthy is her sharp, confrontational literary persona; she actively advocated for Imagism and her own status in the literary canon. Examining the reviews she selected for inclusion — and reflecting on what they reveal about the discourse surrounding women poets — feels more like an intentional curation than mere self-promotion.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

Is "Press Notices" actually a poem, or is it just a list of reviews?

It occupies a truly ambiguous space. Lowell includes it in her book, and the way she selects and arranges the reviews generates meaning much like a poem — through juxtaposition, contrast, and the nuances between what is stated and what remains unspoken. Whether you label it a poem, a found text, or a form of literary self-reflection, it invites the same level of careful reading you'd apply to a poem.

Why does the first review mention her brother before her poetry?

Because that was the norm for women writers in 1912. Building social credentials — particularly through ties to male prestige — was how reviewers indicated that a woman author deserved serious attention. The reviewer also claims her art doesn’t need such validation, but the mere mention of it reveals a lot about the assumptions embedded in the literary culture of that era.

What is "vers libre" and why does one reviewer make a big deal of it?

"Vers libre" translates to free verse in English — a style of poetry that doesn't adhere to a set rhyme scheme or meter. Back in 1914, it stirred up debate within English-language poetry. Josephine Preston Peabody's assertion that Lowell's free verse "has not been surpassed in English" was a daring and pointed compliment, positioning Lowell as a leading figure in a real literary movement, rather than merely among those who write pleasing verses.

Who is Harriet Monroe and why does her review matter?

Harriet Monroe launched Poetry magazine in Chicago in 1912 — the same journal that introduced readers to T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and numerous key figures of modernism. Her endorsement wasn’t just a favorable review; it signaled to the literary community that Lowell was among the elite. By placing the word "images" in quotation marks, she also linked Lowell directly to Imagism, the movement Monroe passionately supported.

What is Imagism, and was Lowell really part of it?

Imagism was a literary movement from about 1912 to 1917 that emphasized poetry created from clear, concrete images instead of abstract emotions or the elaborate language typical of the Victorian era. Ezra Pound initiated the movement, but it was Lowell who became its most passionate advocate in America—editing three anthologies titled Some Imagist Poets and penning critical essays that defended this approach. Although Pound disparagingly labeled her version "Amygism," her impact on popularizing the movement was genuine and enduring.

Why does the Toronto Globe review get its own paragraph when it's only one sentence?

The isolation highlights the brevity. After two lengthy, enthusiastic reviews, a solitary sentence — "A quite delightful little collection of verses" — arrives with a humorous deflation. Lowell includes it, and the word "little" quietly does its harm. It feels like she recognized the condescension and wanted you to see it as well.

What is "Hora Stellatrix" that the Hartford Courant mentions?

It's a poem from A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass, with a title that translates from Latin to "Hour of the Stars." The reviewer highlights that Lowell's lyrics possess a musical quality that aligns with the original meaning of "lyric" — they seem crafted to be sung. This is one of the more insightful and practical observations in the initial set of reviews.

What does Ferris Greenslet mean by "bright shoots of everlastingnesse"?

He's referencing the 17th-century Welsh metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan from his poem "The Retreat." This phrase captures those moments of spiritual brilliance or enduring beauty found in everyday life. Greenslet suggests that Lowell's poems hold those moments—images or lines that resonate with a lasting truth rather than mere decoration. It's the most poetic compliment in the entire collection of reviews.

Citation

Cite this poem

MLA

Lowell, Amy. "Press Notices." Storgy, https://storgy.com/poems/press-notices-amy-lowell/.

APA

Lowell, A. (n.d.). Press notices. Storgy. https://storgy.com/poems/press-notices-amy-lowell/

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Row A — Thesis

1 pt

In 'Press Notices,' Amy Lowell constructs a poem out of the very critical apparatus designed to contain her, exposing how the literary establishment's praise simultaneously celebrates and diminishes a woman writer by filtering her art …

  • Row B — Evidence + Commentary4 pts
  • Row C — Sophistication1 pt
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