"The Anxiety of Influence" by Harold Bloom is a critical work of literary theory that explores the relationship between poets and their predecessors. Bloom argues that every poet is influenced by the works of those who came before them, but that this influence can also be a source of anxiety and creative tension. According to Bloom, poets often struggle to overcome the influence of their predecessors and establish their own unique voice and style. He calls this process "the anxiety of influence" and argues that it is a fundamental aspect of the creative process. Through close readings of the works of major poets like William Shakespeare, John Milton, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Bloom offers a comprehensive theory of literary influence that has had a significant impact on the field of literary criticism. "The Anxiety of Influence" remains a seminal work of literary theory and a must-read for anyone interested in the art of poetry and the creative process.
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