Finding the punchline: On applications of graph theory and combinatorics in Canadian 'pataphysical poetry
Joseph Alexander Brown, Terry Trowbridge · 2011
Looking at the works of Canadian poets bpNichol and Christian Bok examined are the applications of graph theory and combinatorics to 'pataphysical poems. A 'pataphysical poem is one which is seen as poetry which mocks science. However, these poems require knowledge of mathematics on the part of the poet. An analysis of bpNichol's Sixteen Lilypads uses elements of graph theory and provides a new reading method. Given is the result that the poem Probable Systems 15 has no solution for a variety of chosen bases and theorize about the implications this makes to seeing a poem as an equation. Further applications of mathematics and computers to the analysis of poetry are speculated upon.