Placing the Author: Wordsworth, De Quincey and Dove Cottage/ The Poets of Harlem

Synopsis

This video, taken from the Open University’s A230 Reading and Studying module, looks at how landscapes and communities have influenced some of our most famous poetry. From William Wordsworth’s Daffodils of the Lake District to the modern poetry of Harlem’s 1920s writers, the landscape and communities shine through the verses. Nestled in "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found", Wordsworth’s cottage is visited by fans from across the world. Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy retreated to a simple life where he could create the myth of the Romantic poet. His myth drew nervous fan Thomas de Quincey into this idyllic scene. De Quincey’s friendship with the Wordsworths soured as his addiction to opium escalated, yet it was he who took over the cottage when the Wordsworths left.

Described as "a magnet for intellectuals", Harlem was a unique crucible during the 1920s in which black culture could thrive. This Manhattan neighbourhood gained a near mythical status though the artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Two writers in particular, Langston Hughes and Claude McKay, fell in love with Harlem. As Hughes mapped Harlem street by street, he captured the rhythms of blues singers, jazz saxophones and speakeasies in his experimental modern poetry.

Series

A230, Reading and Studying Literature, Course

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2012

Year of production

2011

Subjects

Geography; Literature

Keywords

communities; cultural influences; landscapes; poetry; social geography; Wordsworth, William (1770-1850); de Quincey, Thomas

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£12.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

60 minutes

Year

2012

Production Company

Name

Open University

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk