R. S. Thomas, Desperado

This study ranges R.S.Thomas's career, andincludes a study of unpublished early notebooks;a comparison of hisManafonpoems with a contemporary sociological account of a similar region;reflections on his interest in Native American history;an exploration of his poetic relationship with Geoffrey Hill;and a survey of his enduring image in Welsh poetic culture.One of the book'srecurrent themesisThomas'srole as cultural warriorrepresentinga marginalised nation acrucial aspectoftenoverlooked,not least because readersmaylack the relevant historical,culturaland political contextto appreciate it.Witha consideration of his influence ononemajor Welsh contemporary religious poet, the volumeconcludes with areflectionon the revealing lightthrownon his poetrybyThomas'slifelong interest in Miguel de Unamuno'sThe Tragic Sense of Life.