When I was in undergrad in the 70s, I heard her name mentioned with admiration. But since: :crickets:
I really appreciate your post. As to the question of why she didn't get to be well known, in her lifetime and more recently, I think her political stance made her suspect to a lot of people, from the 30s-end of her life. If McCarthyism and the Lavender Panic hadn't happened, she might be far better-known today. (Emphasis on "might.") It sounds like she was who she was and had no qualms about being straightforward in both writing and speaking. Given the 20th-21st c. history of antisemitism in the US, that's another big strike against her, for far too many people.
Thank you for this good reminder of Muriel Rukeyser, especially the wonderful Kollwitz poem. Please see the website https://newshoots.pub for translations of an emigree Lithuanian poet who also faced virtual "silencing" for her 1952 book of what some emigre critics saw as shocking poems.
Thank you so much for this, Anne. I knew her name too but only as the writer behind the title of that very influential women's poetry collection The World Split Open, and as an influence on Adrienne Rich. I'm so glad there's a biography now. Let's hope she'll become better known. It is amazing, and rather exhausting, to see over and over again how women's work, whether in literature, art or other areas, gets 'lost' along the way. It takes enthusiasts like her biographer and people like you to keep the flame alight.
This was so interesting. Female poets are not the only ones who dial themselves down to fit in, but I appreciate you are writing from a literary perspective. I have never heard of her and am going to find more to read; will happily take some suggested starting points. The "Poem" is staggering.
Thanks for this post, Anne. I had to return Savage Coast to the library before I finished reading it (upon your recommendation). This gives me more context when I get it back again. I like the phrase unpublished, unfinished, unseen. Sounds like a good title for your next book.
I have never heard of her though I have heard that well known quote. Thank you for sharing I will look her up. A note in The Feminist Press, where I was once an intern, their promise is to keep these titles in print. I discovered so much amazing work here. An invaluable resource to our communities, The Feminist Press. Support them, they are amazing!
I haven't read much of her work, but am newly interested to find her books--thanks so much for writing about her. How often the people who are marginalized in society are labeled difficult if they dare to claim space in public....it's such a reliably frustrating history for so many women writers, particularly....
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Ruckeyser is revered among all of the women poets I know. I was using her Book of the Dead a year ago, to work on a piece I am writing about antisemitism, using original documents.
You mentioned:" Her poetry is known for its themes of equality and social justice, feminism, anti-racism, anti-war, support for workers, and Judaism". I would suggest an edit - she wrote in light of antisemitism, and religious aspects of Judaism. As a Jewish writer, that distinction is important . In fact, Jewish women poets, who are very distinct from Jewish male poets in their writing, and Jewish American women poets even more so........as feminists.... are more likely to value Ruckeyser's poetry than the "conventional?" poetry crowd. These days, I see her "Letter to the Front" quoted often by Jewish women writers:
"To be a Jew in the twentieth century
Is to be offered a gift. If you refuse,
Wishing to be invisible, you choose
Death of the spirit ...
Accepting, take full life."
I take it for granted that everyone knows history of WWII and its effect on writers in US. That poem was written in 1944, and the war ended in 1945. By that time, some news - but not much - was circulating of the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews in Europe. 1944 was the year of the Warsaw ghetto uprising, and as a communist, she might have known about it. Also, knowing how American writers were responding to the "underground" news about the war , and Ruckeyser, a Communist - might have believed that with the Russians as allies Jews might have more freedom after Nazis were defeated. Not so -
OK - thanks for listening.
anecdote:
I did meet Ruckeyser when I lived at Kay Boyle's house in the 1970's. We had drinks in the living room, and I was very honored to meet her. She was very kind, and down-to-earth, but I do remember there was a moment when she asked Kay something about her hair - whether it looked OK. It was such an odd moment to me. Here I was, a lowly graduate student and this wonderful poet is here, and she's worried about her hair?
Hi Marianne--Thank you for sharing about her “Letter to the Front.” That is another often-quoted passage that would have been wonderful to include. What a scene I’m imagining with you and Kay and Muriel! How incredible that you shared that moment with them. 😊
Thank you for this information/introduction, Anne. I have read bits and pieces about Rukeyser in student essays and in anthologies. It is quite helpful to have your essay put her life and works within a larger context.
Anne, thank you for this information about Rukeyser. I would like to read the new biography. She was bold. And boldness will get you judged. I know many women writers and poets who have, perhaps unconsciously, dialed down their inclination to boldness in order to be more accepted by the literary establishment, the gatekeepers, hell, the neighbors. But she did not. I admire that from a deep place of solidarity.
Wow, yes, the many compromises we make to fit in and be accepted as women are so debilitating for us as writers. In the mid-20th century the pressures were immense. I can’t wait for the biography!
I’m so so sorry, Ellen. This sounds truly frustrating. I do hope it is only temporary and that you can get the help you need. Typing is very important these days. It’s our link with the outside world. Have you tried the dictation feature on your phone? The one on my iPhone works quite well. (Microphone icon in bottom right of keyboard.)
When I was in undergrad in the 70s, I heard her name mentioned with admiration. But since: :crickets:
I really appreciate your post. As to the question of why she didn't get to be well known, in her lifetime and more recently, I think her political stance made her suspect to a lot of people, from the 30s-end of her life. If McCarthyism and the Lavender Panic hadn't happened, she might be far better-known today. (Emphasis on "might.") It sounds like she was who she was and had no qualms about being straightforward in both writing and speaking. Given the 20th-21st c. history of antisemitism in the US, that's another big strike against her, for far too many people.
She's definitely due for far more attention now.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! And yes, she deserves way more attention!
Thank you for this good reminder of Muriel Rukeyser, especially the wonderful Kollwitz poem. Please see the website https://newshoots.pub for translations of an emigree Lithuanian poet who also faced virtual "silencing" for her 1952 book of what some emigre critics saw as shocking poems.
Thank you so much for this, Anne. I knew her name too but only as the writer behind the title of that very influential women's poetry collection The World Split Open, and as an influence on Adrienne Rich. I'm so glad there's a biography now. Let's hope she'll become better known. It is amazing, and rather exhausting, to see over and over again how women's work, whether in literature, art or other areas, gets 'lost' along the way. It takes enthusiasts like her biographer and people like you to keep the flame alight.
Yes, indeed. I’m glad to be doing my small part. There are so many, as you say. Thank you for reading!
If we all do our small part (and I'm trying to do it for the women surrealists on my Substack) the effect will be greater than any of us can do alone.
I'm thinking of Pete Seeger's song Step by Step:
'Step by step, the longest march
Can be won, can be won
Many stones can form an arch
Singly none, singly none
And by union what we will
Can be accomplished still
Drops of water turn a mill
Singly none, singly none'
Lovely!
This was so interesting. Female poets are not the only ones who dial themselves down to fit in, but I appreciate you are writing from a literary perspective. I have never heard of her and am going to find more to read; will happily take some suggested starting points. The "Poem" is staggering.
Hi Laura--I’m glad my post piqued your interest. :)
Thanks for this post, Anne. I had to return Savage Coast to the library before I finished reading it (upon your recommendation). This gives me more context when I get it back again. I like the phrase unpublished, unfinished, unseen. Sounds like a good title for your next book.
Interesting idea, Miki! 💡
I have never heard of her though I have heard that well known quote. Thank you for sharing I will look her up. A note in The Feminist Press, where I was once an intern, their promise is to keep these titles in print. I discovered so much amazing work here. An invaluable resource to our communities, The Feminist Press. Support them, they are amazing!
Good to know! Thanks, Rita.
NB: https://murielrukeyser.emuenglish.org/rukeyser-biannual-no-1-winter-2024/
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I haven't read much of her work, but am newly interested to find her books--thanks so much for writing about her. How often the people who are marginalized in society are labeled difficult if they dare to claim space in public....it's such a reliably frustrating history for so many women writers, particularly....
Thank you for reading, Freya. And thank you so much for supporting the newsletter! I’m so grateful!
Hi Anne,
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Ruckeyser is revered among all of the women poets I know. I was using her Book of the Dead a year ago, to work on a piece I am writing about antisemitism, using original documents.
You mentioned:" Her poetry is known for its themes of equality and social justice, feminism, anti-racism, anti-war, support for workers, and Judaism". I would suggest an edit - she wrote in light of antisemitism, and religious aspects of Judaism. As a Jewish writer, that distinction is important . In fact, Jewish women poets, who are very distinct from Jewish male poets in their writing, and Jewish American women poets even more so........as feminists.... are more likely to value Ruckeyser's poetry than the "conventional?" poetry crowd. These days, I see her "Letter to the Front" quoted often by Jewish women writers:
"To be a Jew in the twentieth century
Is to be offered a gift. If you refuse,
Wishing to be invisible, you choose
Death of the spirit ...
Accepting, take full life."
I take it for granted that everyone knows history of WWII and its effect on writers in US. That poem was written in 1944, and the war ended in 1945. By that time, some news - but not much - was circulating of the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews in Europe. 1944 was the year of the Warsaw ghetto uprising, and as a communist, she might have known about it. Also, knowing how American writers were responding to the "underground" news about the war , and Ruckeyser, a Communist - might have believed that with the Russians as allies Jews might have more freedom after Nazis were defeated. Not so -
OK - thanks for listening.
anecdote:
I did meet Ruckeyser when I lived at Kay Boyle's house in the 1970's. We had drinks in the living room, and I was very honored to meet her. She was very kind, and down-to-earth, but I do remember there was a moment when she asked Kay something about her hair - whether it looked OK. It was such an odd moment to me. Here I was, a lowly graduate student and this wonderful poet is here, and she's worried about her hair?
Regards
Hi Marianne--Thank you for sharing about her “Letter to the Front.” That is another often-quoted passage that would have been wonderful to include. What a scene I’m imagining with you and Kay and Muriel! How incredible that you shared that moment with them. 😊
Thank you. Rukeyser is shamefully underappreciated. And the fact she was "surveilled by the FBI for decades" is even worse. Who are these people?
The left, rightfully so, always hated the FBI. Now they like them. What?
Thank you for this information/introduction, Anne. I have read bits and pieces about Rukeyser in student essays and in anthologies. It is quite helpful to have your essay put her life and works within a larger context.
Thanks, Etta! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Anne, thank you for this information about Rukeyser. I would like to read the new biography. She was bold. And boldness will get you judged. I know many women writers and poets who have, perhaps unconsciously, dialed down their inclination to boldness in order to be more accepted by the literary establishment, the gatekeepers, hell, the neighbors. But she did not. I admire that from a deep place of solidarity.
Wow, yes, the many compromises we make to fit in and be accepted as women are so debilitating for us as writers. In the mid-20th century the pressures were immense. I can’t wait for the biography!
Fascinating. I know very little about Rukeyser and was glad to read this. Thanks for writing about her, Anne.
So glad to introduce her to you, Sarah!
I’m so so sorry, Ellen. This sounds truly frustrating. I do hope it is only temporary and that you can get the help you need. Typing is very important these days. It’s our link with the outside world. Have you tried the dictation feature on your phone? The one on my iPhone works quite well. (Microphone icon in bottom right of keyboard.)
This is lovely! Thank you for sharing. The bio in the footnotes is interesting. I didn’t know she was briefly married!