Reference

Frank Davey's interest in literary criticism alongside poetry appears to have been influenced by several factors throughout his career. One significant catalyst was his landmark essay "Surviving the Paraphrase" in 1976, which critiqued the then-dominant school of Canadian literary criticism. This essay introduced a new era in Canadian literary criticism by challenging established norms (The Canadian Encyclopedia).

Davey was also heavily involved in the creation and editing of the journal Open Letter, which focused on Canadian literary theory and poetics starting in 1965. This engagement provided him with a platform to explore critical perspectives and promote discussions on literary theory alongside his poetry (rob mclennan's blog).

Moreover, Davey's involvement in the Canadian literary scene was partly inspired and facilitated by figures such as George Wilcock, who recruited him into Canadian literature (SpokenWeb Montréal). These influences combined with his academic background and interests, contributed to his dual focus on poetry and literary criticism.