Publisher's Synopsis
Gish examines how Williams gains much of his force from healing arts and folk traditions. Drawing on "In the American Grain", Gish shows Williams's search for American primitivism and reveals his evocation of ancient Native American oral storytelling. He excerpts interviews and letters in which Williams discusses his theory of short writing. The final section offers analyses of William's work by such distinguished critics as Marjorie Perloff, Robert Coles and Philip Rahv.
