Fall 2025 OLLI Digital Catalog 

Faith, Family, History: The Catholic Poetry Of Robert Lowell (H350)

H – Literature

In 1946 the American poet Robert Lowell published Lord Weary’s Castle. As his second (and first major) collection of verse, the book reflects an intense commitment to Catholicism, (which wouldn’t last), even as it deals with memories of Lowell’s family history, his reading of classical literature, and the morally complex identity of the United States during and in the years immediately after WWII. This book would also evince the theme of a lifelong fascination with the formal history of poetry, through the inclusion of a handful of works written in direct imitation of poets whose work had already profoundly influenced his own. The course will focus on the themes of Faith, Family and History in Robert Lowell’s early development, through a close reading of Lord Weary’s Castle and, (where necessary), poems of his later “Confessional” period.

This offering meets for a total of 13 session(s).

INSTRUCTOR: William Walsh

WALSH, WILLIAM — Ph.D., philosophy, The New School of Social Research in NYC. Now pursuing his passion for literature and poetry, he invites any and all to join him in the pursuit.

Back to Full Course Listing