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Mark Strand

96quotes

Mark Strand


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Full Name and Common Aliases


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Mark Strand was an American poet, playwright, and essayist. He is also known by his married name, Mark Strand O'Ciardha.

Birth and Death Dates


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Born on April 27, 1934, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada; died on November 30, 2014, in New York City.

Nationality and Profession(s)


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Strand held American nationality and worked as a poet, playwright, and essayist. He was known for his unique and expressive style that often explored the human condition.

Early Life and Background


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Mark Strand grew up on Prince Edward Island, where he developed an interest in literature at a young age. His family moved to the United States when he was a teenager, and he spent most of his life in New York City. Strand received his BA from Williams College in 1954 and later earned his MA from Harvard University.

During his early years as a writer, Strand experimented with various forms and styles, including poetry, drama, and essay writing. He began to develop a distinctive voice that would become characteristic of his work: concise, enigmatic, and emotionally charged.

Major Accomplishments


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Strand's first book of poems, Blizzard (1968), was widely praised for its innovative style and exploration of themes such as identity, morality, and the human condition. He went on to publish several more collections, including Dancing Man in Black Pamphlet (1970) and Selected Poems (1981).

Throughout his career, Strand received numerous awards and honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1999), a National Book Award (1978), and the Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of New Mexico.

Notable Works or Actions


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Strand's poetry is known for its unique style, which blends elements of surrealism, modernism, and traditional forms. His poems often explore themes such as identity, morality, and the human condition. Some notable works include:

Blizzard (1968): A collection of poems that showcases Strand's innovative style and explores themes of identity and morality.
 Dancing Man in Black Pamphlet (1970): A poetry collection that features Strand's unique blend of traditional forms and modernist experimentation.
The Monument (1986): A collection of poems that explores the theme of monumentality and the human condition.

Strand was also a prolific essayist, and his essays often explored the intersection of literature and life. His work has been widely praised for its intellectual curiosity, emotional depth, and innovative style.

Impact and Legacy


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Mark Strand's impact on American poetry is immeasurable. He helped shape the course of contemporary poetry, influencing generations of writers with his innovative style and exploration of themes such as identity, morality, and the human condition.

Strand's legacy extends beyond his own work to inspire new forms of artistic expression. His influence can be seen in various fields, from literature to visual art and music.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


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Mark Strand is widely quoted or remembered for several reasons:

Innovative Style: Strand's unique blend of traditional forms and modernist experimentation has influenced generations of writers.
Exploration of Themes: His poems often explore themes such as identity, morality, and the human condition, making him a compelling and thought-provoking figure.
 Intellectual Curiosity: Strand was an intellectually curious writer who explored the intersection of literature and life in his essays and poetry.

Mark Strand's contributions to American poetry are undeniable. His innovative style, exploration of themes, and intellectual curiosity have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Quotes by Mark Strand

Mark Strand's insights on:

But I tend to think of the expressive part of me as rather tedious – never curious or responsive, but blind and self-serving.
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But I tend to think of the expressive part of me as rather tedious – never curious or responsive, but blind and self-serving.
MS
And Robert Lowell, of course – in his poems, we’re not located in his actual life. We’re located more in the externals, in the journalistic facts of his life.
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And Robert Lowell, of course – in his poems, we’re not located in his actual life. We’re located more in the externals, in the journalistic facts of his life.
MS
From the reader’s view, a poem is more demanding than prose.
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From the reader’s view, a poem is more demanding than prose.
MS
I certainly can’t speak for all cultures or all societies, but it’s clear that in America, poetry serves a very marginal purpose. It’s not part of the cultural mainstream.
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I certainly can’t speak for all cultures or all societies, but it’s clear that in America, poetry serves a very marginal purpose. It’s not part of the cultural mainstream.
MS
It’s very hard to write humor.
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It’s very hard to write humor.
MS
I tend to like poems that engage me – that is to say, which do not bore me.
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I tend to like poems that engage me – that is to say, which do not bore me.
MS
Poetry is, first and last, language – the rest is filler.
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Poetry is, first and last, language – the rest is filler.
MS
There’s a certain point, when you’re writing autobiographical stuff, where you don’t want to misrepresent yourself. It would be dishonest.
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There’s a certain point, when you’re writing autobiographical stuff, where you don’t want to misrepresent yourself. It would be dishonest.
MS
I think the best American poetry is the poetry that utilizes the resources of poetry rather than exploits the defects or triumphs of the poet’s personality.
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I think the best American poetry is the poetry that utilizes the resources of poetry rather than exploits the defects or triumphs of the poet’s personality.
MS
If every head of state and every government official spent an hour a day reading poetry we’d live in a much more humane and decent world.
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If every head of state and every government official spent an hour a day reading poetry we’d live in a much more humane and decent world.
MS
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