Mary Austin, The American Rhythm

Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

Austin's lifelong interests in bridging cultures and in the literature of Native Americans finds mature expression in

The American Rhythm

(1923), a collection of Native American verse prefaced by a lengthy essay describing the anthology's philosophical and aesthetic underpinnings. Perhaps more than any of her other books,

The American Rhythm

has drawn the interest of readers and interpreters of Native American cultures and literatures. This book grew out of Austin's life-long fascination with the effects of the land on shaping the cultures of its inhabitants, an interest she had studied most diligently in the American Southwest.

It did not, however, spring from a cultural vacuum, nor was the inspiration for it the product of a single mind. In 1917, the magazine Poetry, founded and

886 words

Citation: Hoyer, Mark T.. "The American Rhythm". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 June 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=6729, accessed 19 March 2024.]

6729 The American Rhythm 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

If you need to create a new bookshelf to save this article in, please make sure that you are logged in, then go to your 'Account' here

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.