Mark Ford

Join Janet Montefiore, a W.H. Auden expert, Jeremy Noel-Tod, a literature lecturer, and poet Mark Ford as they explore the multifaceted life of W.H. Auden. They discuss his struggles with identity, politics, and the moral issues of the 1930s, providing insights into the rise of totalitarianism that inspired his work. The conversation touches on Auden’s complex romantic relationships and his evolving poetic style. They also reflect on how his legacy continues to influence modern audiences and poetry today.

James Wood, a prominent literary critic, explores the essence of realism in major novels. Meehan Crist and Peter Godfrey-Smith delve into environmental literature, highlighting influential works like 'Silent Spring' while discussing the intricate relationship between science and narrative. Mark Ford sheds light on the narrative poetry tradition, mapping connections from Marlowe to contemporary poets. The discussions intertwine fiction and reality, revealing how literature reflects and shapes our understanding of nature and narrative.

Sarah Churchwell, a Professor of American Literature, Peter Riley, a Lecturer in 19th Century American Literature, and Mark Ford, a Professor of English and American Literature, dive into the life of Walt Whitman. They discuss his groundbreaking collection, 'Leaves of Grass,' and how it defied traditional forms through free verse. The conversation also explores Whitman's complex relationship with individuality and community amid the Civil War. His evolving views on race and societal norms, infused with optimism and paradox, reveal his enduring influence on American poetry.

In this discussion on Thomas Hardy's poetry, guests Mark Ford, Jane Thomas, and Tim Armstrong delve into the poet's transition from novels back to poetry, driven by his profound grief for his wife Emma. They explore themes of love, loss, and skepticism in Hardy's work, including the poignant 'Poems of 1912-13' that reflect stages of mourning. The trio highlights Hardy's modern outlook, anti-war sentiments, and how he shaped English literature, influencing modernists while experimenting with vivid language and complex emotions.

Mark Ford and Seamus Perry discuss the essence of great political poems, exploring ideology in poetry, the importance of context, and conveying political truths through verse. They analyze works like Yeats's 'Easter 1916' and Auden's 'Spain 1937, delving into political conviction and poetic ambiguity.