Charles Olson’s Poetical Economy

Abstract

This article examines Charles Olson’s concept of “poetical economy,” focusing on The Maximus Poems. It argues that Olson connects poetic practice with economic and political structures, emphasizing the relationship between individual experience, community life, and the environment. The study explores Olson’s understanding of economy as rooted in the management of everyday life and its ecological implications. It demonstrates how the poems critique modern economic practices that disrupt this balance, contrasting authentic experience with artificial representations.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)