William Carlos Williams and Raymond Souster: The Poet and His City

Abstract

<p>This thesis intends to demonstrate the link which exists between the American poet William Carlos Williams and the Toronto poet Raymond Souster: It is also my purpose to examine the close relationship which exists between the two, poets and the cities in which they live. The first chapter explores Williams' relationship with the city of Paterson, New Jersey. The second. chapter examines the link between Williams and Souster and the influence Williams exerted on the young Toronto poet. The third chapter examines the poetry of Raymond Souster, especially as it applies to the city of Toronto.</p> <p>The major tenet of the thesis is that Williams was a mentor for Souster in several areas. Souster has followed the lead of Williams in areas of theme, language, simplicity of line, and to a certain extent subject matter.</p>