Symbolic statement in poetry assumes many forms, from readily understood «open» symbols to private or «closed» ones with highly personal meanings. «Negative spring,» the poet's rejection of what has traditionally been a joyous time of year, makes such a personal statement. This book examines a number of examples of negative spring; it seeks to locate the sources of the attitude, to examine its implications, and to establish its reliability as an indicator of crisis or despair. Closer examination of it in the work of Clemens Brentano and T.S. Eliot discloses many suggestive and even surprising parallels.
