Muriel Rukeyser's Journey to Ajanta

I examine how Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Ajanta" reflects a shift from a focus on the poem as a self-contained aesthetic object to a focus on the poem as a living force with the potential to establish a reciprocal reality... [ view full abstract ]

I examine how Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Ajanta" reflects a shift from a focus on the poem as a self-contained aesthetic object to a focus on the poem as a living force with the potential to establish a reciprocal reality between poet and reader. I discuss the mechanics of "Ajanta's" form and how Rukeyser's understanding of the Ajanta caves relates to her poetic style. I conclude by exploring how "Ajanta" fits into her broader understanding of the purpose of poetry, namely, to awaken, to heal, and to make whole.