The Poetic Narrative of R.D. FitzGerald’s ‘Between Two Tides’

Abstract

In judging any poem, it is not only fair but also instructive to consider the poet's intention in his creation of that work, even though the final product may vary considerably from the original aim. FitzGerald has so obviously sign-posted his attitude for us, that we should accept his challenge: 'There is this too, worth your consideration: namely that narrative poetry perhaps differs from prose narrative and from other poetries not only in substance and in workmanship but also in kind. It is perhaps a different species and you should look for different characteristics.' A fresh evaluation of FitzGerald's magnificent, probing poem, Between Two Tides, may be made from this point of view.