The Little Review

I went through two literary magazines during the archival research we did on Friday and, above all of the content I remember reading, one poet sticks out to me the most: Robert McAlmon. The first poet featured in the Autumn 1924 to Winter 1925 release of the Little Review, Robert McAlmon left quite the first impression and (in my opinion) was quite a bold choice for the magazine to lead with. If I were to describe the poetry I read from Robert McAlmon in two words I think I’d sum it up as being impressively derogatory. It really is nothing less than impressive how McAlmon can insult people so subtly but so effectively. In fact, it’s so roundabout that it’s hard to pinpoint what about it that is insulting at first. At least that’s what it was like reading the first part/section of “Three Poems.” This part of the poem is broadly misogynistic and essentially generalizes women as simple-minded, animalistic beings who get by in life using their charms to manipulate and then discard whichever poor man has fallen victim to their ploy. To be fair, it’s unclear whether McAlmon believes this applies to all women, or, in the most generous interpretation of the poem, if he’s simply parodying the people who think this way about women. However, if the latter is true, there’s still zero indication of this within the three pages of the poem. Anyway, I’m not sure how this relates to Modernism as a concept, but I do find the poems incredibly fascinating and wish there was more (easily accessible) information about Robert McAlmon and his beliefs/poetry online.