In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a cultural movement known as "Modernism" turned the world of art inside out. So deep was its impact, and so compelling the forces that gave it rise, that "modernity" transcended its arts-related meaning to become a vital historical force in its own right. As such, the idea of modernity, so richly expressed in poetry and the other arts, is still very much at the center of world events. The poems we read and discuss will, of course, address the poetics and ideas within each poem, but we will also examine how these themes and techniques foreshadow many of the conflicts and challenges we are dealing with today. That's quite a claim, and it should be intriguing to see whether the class and the poetry live up to it.

Presenter: Barton Kunstler, Ph.D., has written and studied poetry all his life. He holds an undergraduate degree in English literature and a doctorate in Classical Studies from BU. His poems have been published in various venues and he has run writing and communication programs. He was a full professor and program director at Lesley University’s School of Management.

This program is a part of the Council on Aging's Lifetime Learning Series. To register contact the COA at 508-651-7858 or coaprograms@sherbornma.org.