The Emperor of Ice-Cream: why Wallace Stevens matters
We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.
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We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.
What will we cover?
We will trace Wallace Stevens’ development from the buoyant variety of poems in his first collection Harmonium, through the more philosophical poems of his middle and later periods, to his very last poems which address the same spiritual issues with undiminished vigour. We will also look at some extracts from his longest work, The Man with the Blue Guitar, and from his essay on the importance of poetry, The Noble Rider and the Sound of Words.
We will also investigate intriguing aspects of Stevens’ life such as his working full-time as an insurance executive all his life, refusing to retire, and the fact that, though steeped in European culture, he never left America apart from a cruise through the Panama Canal. We will consider how far these factors are reflected in his poetry.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand what Stevens is aiming to achieve in his poetry and the importance of this
Appreciate the great originality of his poems
Enjoy reading and discussing many fine poems.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should be interested in modern poetry. No other particular skills are needed.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The sessions are run in a seminar style with all students included in discussions led by the tutor. You will receive copies of the materials several days beforehand so you can read them to be ready to discuss them.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Electronic files and paper photocopies of all the materials will be provided. A pen may be helpful.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Poetry courses in our Literature programme under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Laurie Smith has taught poetry writing and literature courses at the City Lit for some years, focussing on modernism and writers' radicalism. He researches and lectures at King's College London, helped to found Magma poetry magazine which he sometimes edits and has been a Trustee of the Poetry Society.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-emperor-of-ice-cream-why-wallace-stevens-matters2744918The Emperor of Ice-Cream: why Wallace Stevens mattershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/get-together-and-read-hlt137-1080.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Poetry22851177118711901228511771187<p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p>002744840The Emperor of Ice-Cream: why Wallace Stevens matters6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/get-together-and-read-hlt137-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-06-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT526969The Emperor of Ice-Cream: why Wallace Stevens matters554569Laurie Smiththe-emperor-of-ice-cream-why-wallace-stevens-matters/hlt52-2526<p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-13 00:00:00<p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p><p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p><p>We will trace Wallace Stevens’ development from the buoyant variety of poems in his first collection <em>Harmonium,</em> through the more philosophical poems of his middle and later periods, to his very last poems which address the same spiritual issues with undiminished vigour. We will also look at some extracts from his longest work, <em>The Man with the Blue Guitar</em>, and from his essay on the importance of poetry, <em>The Noble Rider and the Sound of Words</em>.</p><p>We will also investigate intriguing aspects of Stevens’ life such as his working full-time as an insurance executive all his life, refusing to retire, and the fact that, though steeped in European culture, he never left America apart from a cruise through the Panama Canal. We will consider how far these factors are reflected in his poetry.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Understand what Stevens is aiming to achieve in his poetry and the importance of this</li><li>Appreciate the great originality of his poems</li><li>Enjoy reading and discussing many fine poems.</li></ul><p> </p><p> You should be interested in modern poetry. No other particular skills are needed.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The sessions are run in a seminar style with all students included in discussions led by the tutor. You will receive copies of the materials several days beforehand so you can read them to be ready to discuss them. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> No. Electronic files and paper photocopies of all the materials will be provided. A pen may be helpful.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Look for other Poetry courses in our Literature programme under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteraturePoetryvirtual556945HLT52NONESat13/06/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetLaurie SmithBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-13T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities6969The Emperor of Ice-Cream: why Wallace Stevens mattersthe-emperor-of-ice-cream-why-wallace-stevens-matters/hlt52-2526<p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-13 00:00:00<p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p><p>We explore how Wallace Stevens wrestled with some of the deepest issues of the modern spirit, such as the need for non-religious faith and the importance of art in giving meaning to life, through writing poems. Some of his poems are very beautiful, others have a streak of sardonic humour, others have both. We will explore why Stevens felt both aspects are necessary and how he achieved them.</p><p>We will trace Wallace Stevens’ development from the buoyant variety of poems in his first collection <em>Harmonium,</em> through the more philosophical poems of his middle and later periods, to his very last poems which address the same spiritual issues with undiminished vigour. We will also look at some extracts from his longest work, <em>The Man with the Blue Guitar</em>, and from his essay on the importance of poetry, <em>The Noble Rider and the Sound of Words</em>.</p><p>We will also investigate intriguing aspects of Stevens’ life such as his working full-time as an insurance executive all his life, refusing to retire, and the fact that, though steeped in European culture, he never left America apart from a cruise through the Panama Canal. We will consider how far these factors are reflected in his poetry.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Understand what Stevens is aiming to achieve in his poetry and the importance of this</li><li>Appreciate the great originality of his poems</li><li>Enjoy reading and discussing many fine poems.</li></ul><p> </p><p> You should be interested in modern poetry. No other particular skills are needed.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The sessions are run in a seminar style with all students included in discussions led by the tutor. You will receive copies of the materials several days beforehand so you can read them to be ready to discuss them. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> No. Electronic files and paper photocopies of all the materials will be provided. A pen may be helpful.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Look for other Poetry courses in our Literature programme under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteraturePoetryconfigurable
11901187Poetryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/poetry1/2/285/1177/1187/11901/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Poetry
