Dickey, James (1923-1997), was an American poet and novelist. He is known chiefly for works that portray people testing their survival instincts against other people and nature. Some of his writings explore people’s animal instincts, which include killing for enjoyment. Dickey shows people learning about the brutal side of human nature.
Dickey’s novel Deliverance (1970), written in a clear, matter-of-fact style, tells about a middle-class businessman who must struggle to survive in the wilderness. In his fight to survive, he has to kill another man. This experience teaches him that cruelty is part of people’s nature. Many of Dickey’s writings are based on episodes from his own life. Some of his works, particularly the poem “The Firebombing” (1964), reflect his experiences as a combat pilot. The pilot in this poem feels a sense of power at killing, but no sorrow. Dickey’s novel Alnilam (1987) is a rich and intricate story about a father’s search for his son.
Dickey was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on Feb. 23, 1923. His poetry is collected in The Whole Motion: Collected Poems, 1948-1992 (1992). A number of his prose pieces were published in Sorties: Journals and New Essays (1971) and Night Hurdling (1983). To the White Sea (1993), another novel, is a story of adventure and survival set in Japan during World War II. Dickey died on Jan. 19, 1997.
