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Theodore Huebner Roethke

セオドア・ロースキー

Theodore Roethke

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1908-05-25 （Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.）
Died
1963-08-01 （Bainbridge Island, Washington, U.S.） age 55
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Saginaw, Michigan — childhood → Seattle, Washington — University of Washington faculty/residence → Bainbridge Island, Washington — residence at time of death

Career

Occupations
Teacher, Poet, Author
Active Years
1929-1963
Affiliations
University of Washington (Seattle)
Influenced By
Robert Hillyer, Louise Bogan, Philosophers/theologians such as Kierkegaard, Paul Tillich, Martin Buber
Influenced
Sylvia Plath, James Wright, Richard Hugo, Carolyn Kizer, David Wagoner, Jack Gilbert

Education

University of Michigan
English
Degree: B.A. (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
Period: 1925–1929
Year of Graduation: 1929
Country: United States
BA, magna cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa
University of Michigan
English (graduate)
Degree: M.A.
Period: 1934–1936
Year of Graduation: 1936
Country: United States
Received MA in English
Harvard University
English literature
Period: 1930年代（在学・研究）
Country: United States
Studied under Robert Hillyer; did not complete a degree

Awards

Pulitzer Prize for Poetry
1954
Work: The Waking
Organization: Pulitzer Prize committee
Result: 受賞
National Book Award for Poetry
1959
Work: Words for the Wind
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 受賞
National Book Award for Poetry (posthumous)
1965
Work: The Far Field
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 受賞（没後）
Bollingen Prize
1959
Organization: University of Pennsylvania (awarded)
Result: 受賞
Golden Plate Award (Academy of Achievement)
1961
Organization: American Academy of Achievement
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Open House

1941 Poetry

Debut collection; contains poems drawing on greenhouse and natural imagery that prefigure later work.

naturechildhood memoryself-exploration

The Lost Son and Other Poems

1948 Poetry

Breakthrough collection featuring greenhouse poems and introspective monologues that established his voice.

introspectionnaturefamily and loss

The Waking

1953 Poetry

Collection containing a section of love poems; won the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Noted for rhythm and natural imagery.

loverenewalnature

Words for the Wind

1958 Poetry

Collection demonstrating a mature voice; winner of the 1959 National Book Award for Poetry.

existencenaturelyrical rhythm
Adaptations
  • [Audio album] Words for the Wind: Poems of Theodore Roethke / Theodore Roethke (朗読) (1961)

The Far Field

1964 Poetry

Posthumously published collection, highly regarded and winner of the 1965 National Book Award for Poetry.

looking to the far fieldloss and renewalnature

Bibliography

  • Open House (1941)
  • The Lost Son and Other Poems (1948)
  • Praise to the End! (1951)
  • The Waking (1953)
  • Words for the Wind (1958)
  • I Am! Says the Lamb (1961)
  • Sequence, Sometimes Metaphysical (1963)
  • Party at the Zoo (1963)
  • The Far Field (1964)
  • Dirty Dinky and Other Creatures: Poems for Children (1973)
  • On Poetry and Craft: Selected Prose and Craft of Theodore Roethke (2001)
  • Straw for the Fire: From the Notebooks of Theodore Roethke, 1943–63 (1972; 2006)

Adaptations

  • Short film 'In a Dark Time: A Film About Theodore Roethke' (1964)
  • Documentary 'I Remember Theodore Roethke' (2005)
  • Play 'First Class: A Play About Theodore Roethke' (2007, written by David Wagoner)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical, rhythmic poetryadept use of free verse and fixed formsrich natural imagery
Recurring Motifs
greenhouse/plant imageryintrospection/self-explorationdeath and renewal

Health

  • Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
    1930年代頃から晩年まで
    Episodes of mania and depression influenced his creative drive and informed his poetry.
  • Heavy drinking / alcoholism (habitual)
    生涯を通じて
    Affected health and personal life; contributed to health problems later in life.
  • Myocardial infarction (fatal heart attack)
    1963
    Suffered a fatal heart attack in 1963 while at a friend's swimming pool.

Legacy

Considered one of the foremost American poets of the 20th century. Renowned for greenhouse and natural imagery and introspective verse; influenced many students and poets. Winner of major awards including the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.

Museums

  • Theodore Roethke Home (Friends of Theodore Roethke Foundation) 1805 Gratiot, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
  • Bloedel Reserve (site of the former pool where Roethke died) Bainbridge Island, Washington, U.S.

Archives

  • University of Washington Libraries: Theodore Roethke Family Photograph Collection and related holdings

In Popular Culture

  • An alley in Seattle named 'Roethke Mews' (1995)
  • Roethke Auditorium (Kane Hall 130) at the University of Washington named in his honor
  • Subject of short films and documentaries (e.g., 'In a Dark Time', 1964)

Quotes

  • In my opinion Theodore Roethke is the greatest poet this country has yet produced.
    Source: James Dickey (comment/interview) (1976)
  • The greenhouse is my symbol for the whole of life, a womb, a heaven-on-earth.
    Source: Historical marker inscription (quoted from Roethke)

Trivia

  • Spent much of his childhood working in the family greenhouse, a central motif in his poetry.
  • Won the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for 'The Waking'.
  • Died of a heart attack at a friend's swimming pool on Bainbridge Island.