"Thomas and Beulah" is a collection of poems by American poet Rita Dove, published in 1986. The book is based on the lives of Dove's grandparents, Thomas and Beulah, and tells their story through a series of interconnected poems.
The poems in "Thomas and Beulah" are arranged chronologically, beginning with their childhoods in the early 20th century and following them through their marriage and the birth of their children. The poems explore themes of love, family, identity, and the struggles and joys of everyday life.
The book is notable for its innovative structure, which weaves together individual poems to create a larger narrative arc. The poems are written in a range of forms, including free verse, sonnets, and haikus, and incorporate a variety of voices and perspectives, including those of the author's grandparents, other family members, and the broader community.
"Thomas and Beulah" received widespread critical acclaim upon its publication, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1987. Critics praised Dove's skillful use of language and her ability to create a rich, multi-layered portrait of her grandparents and their world. The book is now considered a landmark work in contemporary American poetry, and continues to be studied and admired by readers and scholars alike.
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