The Prose Works of Saint-John Perse

The purpose of this book is to elucidate and explain the themes, images and style of the poetry of Saint-John Perse through a critical study of the letters, speeches, testimonials, tributes and articles of the poet-diplomat. The substance of these prose works treats Perse's preoccupation with the creative process in several contexts - individual, social, philosophical, literary, cultural and political. The prose works examined include the -Lettres de Jeunesse-, the -Lettres d'Asie-, the -Lettres d'Exil-, the speeches entitled -Poesie- and -Pour Dante-, several of the -Temoignages Litteraires- and -Hommages-, as well as some of the poet's critical articles on music."