Letter from Louise Kertesz to Muriel Rukeyser

An original, typewritten letter, dated April 15th, 1975. The letter is from Louise Kertesz to Muriel Rukeyser. Louise states that it has been wonderful talking with Rukeyser on the telephone. Louise has been intensely involved with Rukeyser’s work, and Louise has been with her work during her hours of reading and even throughout the day when she watches her children do chores. Louise sent Rukeyser samples of her writing. The book reviews are from Northampton’s Daily Hampshire Gazette. The long article, which Louise doesn't expect Rukeyser to read fully or even send back to her, is intended to show that Louise can do scholarly work. It is an excerpt from her dissertation. Louise does not apologize for it, but the style is often stiff because she was bent on academic demonstration. The work that Louise proposes to Rukeyser’s writings will be through and documented, but Louise plans to write in a style that reflects her deep personal response to her work. Louise also sent Rukeyser Stephen Stepanchev’s review of Waterlily Fire. The bibliography had misled Louise into thinking it was a long study of Waterlily Fire. Once again, this gives Louise evidence of the need for a substantial study of Rukeyser's writings. Louise asks if Rukeyser will give her Sylvia Bowman’s address so that she can write to her immediately about her project, or does Muriel think she should wait until she has a chapter or outline to send. Louise has been writing to New York University to try to get them to send our local library copy id M.L. Rosenthal’s 1949 thesis entitled “Chief Poets of the American Depression: Contributions of Kenneth Fearing, Horace Gregory, and Muriel Rukeyser to Contemporary American Poetry”. Louise had offered to buy a copy of the dissertation, but she hadn't had any response from the English Department or from the reference department of the Bobst Library at New York University.Louise asks what she can do to see the dissertation. Louise also asks Muriel Rukeyser to send her a copy of American Poetry Review in which her work is featured in an article. Louise will send it back to Rukeyser. No library around Louise carries that publication. At the same time. Louise would appreciate it if Rukeyser returned some newspaper clippings. Louise ends the letter by thanking Rukeyser for her encouraging telephone calls. Louise wants to give her very best to that study because she admires Rukeyser’s work and her vision, and also due to the fact that Rukeyser’s response has heightened her enthusiasm.