Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Illustrations vii
4. List of Abbreviations ix
5. 1. Making Connections 1
6. 2. Somatic Communication 33
7. 3. Poetry as Social Praxis 66
8. 4. Oral Poetry Acts 89
9. 5. Beowulf as Ritualized Discourse 120
10. 6. Context and Loss 146
11. 7. The Strong Tradition-Bearer 173
12. Conclusion: Wordpower Wells from Deep in the Throat 194
13. Notes 205
14. Works Cited 237
15. Acknowledgments 265
16. Index 267