Description
In this two-meeting course, we will explore the work of Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) and the Symbolist movement in poetry. Often misunderstood as a “secret code” that obscures meaning, Symbolism uses imagery, emotion, and suggestion to layer multiple dimensions of meaning within a poem. By closely reading a selection of Rimbaud’s poems in both French and English, we will uncover how Symbolist techniques invite readers to experience deeper resonances rather than straightforward interpretations. This course, designed for poetry enthusiasts, invites participants to engage with the lasting impact of Rimbaud’s innovations and Symbolist poetics. No knowledge of French is necessary to participate.
Barbara Thimm is a translator, writer and teacher based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has an MFA in poetry from Columbia University where she studied with Richard Howard, Lucie Brock-Broido and Timothy Donnelly. Her translations of contemporary poetry were published by luxbooks in Germany. Her poetry as well as translations of prose were published and are forthcoming in magazines in the US and the UK.
