John Neihardt (1881–1973) stands as a towering figure in the landscape of 20th-century American poetry, distinguished for his profound engagement with American history, Indigenous cultures, and the epic scope of human experience. Known primarily for his works that reflect his interest in Native American traditions, mythology, and the American frontier, Neihardt’s contributions are emblematic of the rich diversity and exploration that defined 20th-century American poetry.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, John Neihardt’s life and career spanned a period of profound change in the United States. He witnessed and participated in the evolution of American poetry, marked by the rise of modernism, the decline of romanticism, and the emergence of new voices exploring the complex American identity. In this article, we will explore Neihardt’s works, his major influences, and his place within the broader tradition of 20th-century American poets, drawing comparisons with contemporaries like Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, and Wallace Stevens.
Early Life and Background
John Neihardt was born in 1881 to German immigrant parents, which provided him with a diverse cultural background. His family moved frequently during his early years, living in several states across the Midwest. This transient childhood influenced much of his later work, where themes of migration, identity, and cultural assimilation emerge repeatedly.
Neihardt’s formal education was varied; he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he studied literature and philosophy. His early interest in poetry blossomed during his years at university, and his first book of poems, A Bundle of Myrrh (1907), was published when he was only 26 years old. However, it was not until he became involved with the Native American community in Nebraska that his true poetic voice began to emerge.
The Influence of Native American Culture
Neihardt’s most significant contribution to American poetry is his exploration of Native American culture and mythology, a subject that was relatively underexplored in American poetry at the time. His most famous work, The Song of Hugh Glass (1915), is an epic poem about the legendary frontiersman and trapper Hugh Glass, who survived a brutal bear attack and journeyed for months to seek revenge on those who left him behind. This work, inspired by the real-life experiences of Glass, exemplifies Neihardt’s ability to merge the mythic and historical.
However, it is in his Black Elk Speaks (1932), perhaps his most enduring and well-known work, where Neihardt’s deep engagement with Native American spirituality and philosophy shines. This book is a series of interviews with Black Elk, a Lakota Sioux holy man, who recounts his visions and the history of the Lakota people. Black Elk Speaks is not merely a biography; it is a poetic meditation on the life of a people whose culture and way of life were systematically destroyed by European colonization. Through Neihardt’s poetic narrative, Black Elk’s life becomes a symbol of the tragic yet noble struggle of Native Americans against the forces of modernity and cultural erasure.
In Black Elk Speaks, Neihardt’s representation of Native American spirituality is infused with a deep respect for its sacredness, in contrast to many works of the time that often reduced Indigenous cultures to mere curiosities. By giving voice to Black Elk and, by extension, to the broader Native American experience, Neihardt elevated the perspectives of those who had long been marginalized in American literature.
Poetic Style and Themes
John Neihardt’s poetic style evolved throughout his career, beginning with formal verse in his early works and later moving toward a more free-flowing, modernist style. He was deeply influenced by the Romantic tradition, but his interest in Native American themes and the spiritual dimensions of human life led him to experiment with symbolism and myth, aligning him with modernist poets who sought to transcend traditional forms.
In his work, Neihardt frequently used the American frontier and Native American culture as symbols for the larger struggles of human existence. Like other 20th-century American poets, Neihardt was concerned with the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. His themes often revolved around the conflict between modernity and the ancient wisdom of Indigenous traditions, as well as the tension between individualism and community.
Neihardt’s poetry also delved into the vast American landscape, exploring its beauty, its challenges, and its symbolic role in shaping the American character. His works often convey a sense of awe and reverence for the land, capturing the spiritual connection between the American people and their environment. This connection is particularly evident in his works that center around the frontier and Native American experiences.
Comparisons with Contemporaries
While John Neihardt’s works are deeply tied to the American landscape and Native American themes, it is important to place him within the broader context of 20th-century American poetry. Neihardt’s contemporaries, such as Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, and Wallace Stevens, were also concerned with themes of nature, identity, and the human condition, though their approaches differed in style and substance.
Robert Frost, for instance, is often considered a poet of the New England landscape, with his works focusing on the rural experience and the complexities of human relationships. Frost’s poems such as The Road Not Taken and Mending Wall emphasize the internal struggles and moral dilemmas that individuals face, using the natural world as a backdrop for exploring human emotions. Unlike Neihardt, Frost did not engage as deeply with Native American themes, but he, too, used the landscape to examine the larger questions of existence.
Carl Sandburg, another contemporary of Neihardt, was a poet of the modern city, contrasting with Neihardt’s focus on the frontier and Native American life. Sandburg’s works, such as Chicago Poems and The People, Yes, celebrate the vitality and energy of urban life, while also critiquing the struggles of the working class. Sandburg was a poet of social change, addressing issues such as industrialization and labor rights, whereas Neihardt’s concerns were more rooted in cultural preservation and the relationship between modernity and tradition.
Wallace Stevens, known for his more abstract and philosophical poetry, often explored the relationship between imagination and reality, offering a stark contrast to Neihardt’s narrative-driven style. Stevens’ poetry, exemplified in works like The Emperor of Ice-Cream and Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, was highly intellectual and rooted in the modernist movement. While Stevens’ focus was on the nature of perception and the human mind, Neihardt was more focused on the spiritual and historical aspects of human experience.
Despite their differences in focus and style, these poets shared a commitment to exploring the complexities of human existence through the lens of American life. Neihardt’s emphasis on Native American traditions places him within a unique niche among his contemporaries, but his work nonetheless engages with the same themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning that permeated 20th-century American poetry.
Legacy and Impact
John Neihardt’s legacy as a 20th-century American poet is multifaceted. His exploration of Native American cultures, particularly through works like Black Elk Speaks, has had a lasting impact on how Native American history and spirituality are represented in literature. His works continue to be studied for their deep engagement with Indigenous cultures and their poetic treatment of themes such as survival, cultural resilience, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Neihardt’s impact is also seen in the way he addressed the American frontier in his work. The frontier, a symbol of American identity, has been a central theme in American literature, from Walt Whitman to William Faulkner. Neihardt’s treatment of the frontier, however, is distinctive because he combines historical events with mythic elements, making his work a fusion of history and legend. His epics offer a poetic narrative of the American experience, making them relevant not only in the context of 20th-century American poetry but also within the larger tradition of American literature.
Moreover, Neihardt’s contribution to American poetry lies in his ability to blend the mythological with the historical, creating a unique and enduring vision of the American past. His poetry has inspired generations of poets, especially those interested in Native American themes, the frontier, and the intersection of history and myth.
Conclusion
John Neihardt remains a significant figure in the realm of 20th-century American poetry. His works, especially Black Elk Speaks, offer a profound exploration of Native American spirituality, history, and the complexities of the American experience. Through his poetic vision, Neihardt became a voice for the Indigenous peoples of America, while also contributing to the broader conversation about the role of the individual and the community in a rapidly changing world.
As we look at the landscape of 20th-century American poetry, Neihardt’s voice stands out for its deep engagement with Native American traditions and its exploration of the epic dimensions of American life. While he may not have achieved the same level of widespread fame as some of his contemporaries, his work continues to resonate, offering a unique and powerful contribution to the ever-evolving story of American poetry.
