ABSTRACT
Journal entries made by Martha Graham from the 1940s to the mid 1960s have been transcribed and edited in The Notebooks of Martha Graham. The dances they reference represent Graham's post-Americana period — a shift of focus from exploration of American consciousness to a wider perspective, the use of Greek myths and philosophical texts as a way to explore the roots of the unconscious mind and soul. Graham's entries in the Notebooks give insight to the first stages of her creative process and provide understanding of the multiplicity of meanings inherent in such ballets as Dark Meadow. Notations for specific ballets, together with quotations, images and phrases give the reader a sense of her creative intent. The paper shows that while often little from the Notebooks was actually used in the final dance, the musings act as a springboard to the next phase of creation of the dances, and make evident that Graham's dances were an expression of deep philosophical inquiry.
