Ruth Zardo is one of Canada’s most celebrated poets.
Working with a vibrant and raw voice that is capable of being both humorous and cuttingly ironic, she has written an impressive body of work that encompasses over forty books, as well lyric and nonfiction essays and articles.
Born in 1927, Zardo completed her doctorate in English Literature at the University of Toronto and she has taught and lectured around the world. Throughout her career she has garnered numerous awards and accolades, such as the Order of Canada, the Chalmers Award, and the Governor General’s Award. For the past few decades she has continued to produce poetry that is widely read and admired.
The honesty, tenderness, and straightforwardness of Zardo’s poetry captivates readers. While her themes touch on depression, grief, and isolation, there is a deep and profound strength that emits from her writing. Using free verse, she eloquently expresses an energy and ruggedness of the Canadian landscape and the human experience. Her descriptions are often straightforward and unadorned, allowing the beauty of the environment and her own lived insights to take center stage.
When looking at Zardo’s writing, one is immediately struck by its freshness. She often examines global social issues, such as poverty, family dynamics, and immigration. She also uses her own identity to explore questions of gender and sexuality, using her own experiences to create a tender exploration that illuminates essential truths. For example, in her book Hunting in Paris, the idea of the angst of cultural displacement and the the ache of linguistic alienation are explored in powerful and poetic ways.
Critics and fans alike have praised Zardo’s blend of lyricism, vitality, and boldness. Her sharp eye and keen wit have gained her recognition and admiration from some of the world’s most renowned poets, including Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney. Scholars have also noted how Zardo’s writing adds an important voice to Canadian literature, pointing to the relevance and necessity of her work in understanding this country’s unique cultural identity.
Influences on Writing
Speaking about what influences her writing, Zardo points to her own life experience. Zardo has traveled the world extensively and lived for many years in Paris and England. This has expanded her access to different cultures and ideas which can be felt throughout her writing. She has also been able to draw on these experiences to give her poetry a deeper resonance that speaks to readers across the globe.
At the same time, her roots in the small industrial town of Stratford, Ontario have also had a profound influence on her work. Many of her poems draw deeply from her experience growing up there and the rhythms of small-town life. Zardo has also been known to use local materials and dialect to push her writing into more unexpected places.
Adaptations into the Theatre
Over the years, Zardo’s poem have been widely adapted for the stage. In 1998, three of her works – A True Story in Six Seasons, Hunting in Paris, and The Garden – were all produced as separate plays, highlighting the diverse range of her writing. Since then, her works have been adapted for a variety of venues and occasions.
One of the more unique adaptations of her work was the creation of a work for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In 2003, the TSO commissioned a performance of Zardo’s poem from their annual concert dedicated to Canadian poetry. It was performed in a unique way that encompassed both Zardo’s words and the orchestra’s music.
Lecturing Career
Zardo has also had a long and successful career as a lecturer. She has held teaching positions at numerous universities across North America and Europe and has spoken to dozens of schools, organizations, and performing arts groups. She has also been a frequent guest on radio and television programs, where she has discussed her work and share her insights.
When speaking to fans and students, Zardo emphasizes the importance of taking risks and embracing one’s own authenticity while writing. She emphasizes the need to explore topics that feel honest and genuine, rather than trying to please a literary audience or trend. Zardo also encourages her listeners to expand their knowledge by reading broadly and exploring different voices.
Conclusion of Working
In conclusion, Ruth Zardo has proven to be one of Canada’s most renowned and important poets. Working with a blend of lyricism, boldness and frankness, she has produced an impressive body of work that has been admired by fans and critics alike. Through her travels and lectures, she has shared her experiences and perspectives with people from around the world, allowing them to access her unique imagery and phrasing.
Reception of Writing by Critics
When speaking about Zardo’s work, critics and scholars have noted her ability to combine both tenderness and despair in her writing. Her descriptions are often straightforward and unadorned, allowing the beauty of the environment and her own lived insights to take center stage. While some have found that her raw descriptions can feel a bit too heavy at times, many have praised her use of humor and empathy to discuss difficult topics.
Themes such as isolation, poverty, poverty, family dynamics, and the injustices of war are all examined honestly in Zardo’s writing. Many have also noted how her work provides an honest and encouraging voice to people facing difficult experiences. Furthermore, her ability to portray her own identity and experiences has been seen as a key factor in understanding the cultural identity of Canada.
Zardo’s Awards and Accolades
Throughout her career, Zardo has been awarded many honors and accolades, solidifying her place in the Canadian literary world. She was the first Canadian poet to be named a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in France and in 2016 was given the Order of Canada for her lifetime dedication to the literary arts. She’s also won the Chalmers Award and the Governor General’s Award and has been a finalist for the Victoria Book Award.
She was also a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2004 and has been the recipient of two honorary degrees, one from McMaster University and one from the University of Waterloo. Music organizations such as the Lutheran World Federation and Voice of Women in Canada have also recognized her work with a variety of prizes and accolades, showcasing the significance and staying power of her art.
Publication History of Work
Since the 1980s Zardo has published an impressive body of work, ranging from poetry and lyric essays to non-fiction and dramatic pieces. She has released over forty books, with her collections of poetry often being anthologized in other works. Her most recent volume, A False Spring, was published in 2019 and further showcased why she is firmly established as one of Canada’s leading poets.
In addition to her print books, she has released multiple audiotapes and CDs, which showcase her work in both spoken and performed forms. Her work has also been featured in numerous broadsides, magazines, and books, allowing her reach to expand even further beyond the traditional publishing landscape.
Legacy and How it is Preserved
Ruth Zardo’s legacy is rooted in her skill and dedication to her craft, as well as her willingness to share her stories to educate and expand the understanding of our society and its complexities. This legacy is further preserved through the work of organizations such as the Writers’ Union of Canada, which keeps her work in print and showcases it in prestigious poetry competitions.
Zardo is also included in the archives of the University of Victoria’s Coles Reading Series and the Rare Books and Special Collections at the University of British Columbia Library. The acceptance and need of her work in academic institutions and galleries further exemplifies the impact she has made as a poet.
Her work is also preserved through the Ruth Zardo Fund, which was established at The Canada Council for the Arts in 2008. The fund assists poets and authors in the initial stages of their literary careers and is a testament to how Zardo’s own life and writing continue to inspire the next generation of Canadian poets.
