'It Was World-Changing and Eye-Opening': The Evolution of Brodsky's Image in the Memories of His Former Students

• In Event: The Art and Science of Teaching: Authors and Filmmakers as Educators

Abstract

The poet and Nobel laureate Joseph Brodsky served as a professor at several American universities and colleges from 1972 to 1996, teaching Russian and world poetry courses. His former students wrote memoir essays from 1974 to the late 1990s, reflecting on his unconventional teaching style. For my research on Brodsky, I conducted twelve interviews with his former students and colleagues, asking about his teaching methods, courses, and interactions with students.
The central hypothesis of my study is that today's interviewees portray Brodsky as a professor in a more favorable and enthusiastic light compared to earlier memoirs. This shift aligns with 'memory studies' premise that the past is an ongoing process. My paper explores the reasons behind these changing perceptions and their link to Brodsky's canonization.

Author

• Masha Cook