I realize that this is a digression from the main topic of the thread, but James, I think it's safe to say that Dickey's effect on his students—especially his female and gay male students—was influenced by the narcissistic sense of entitlement that Rogerbob glimpsed.
(And before someone whines about Cancel Culture, I'll contend that
this essay is NOT unfairly applying contemporary standards to the sexist and homophobic behavior of a Great White Man. Predatory and bullying behavior has never been okay, even if the predators and bullies of the past could formerly get away with it more easily. And I'm not trying to cancel anyone, just to advocate for not letting artists' fame and/or artistic merit excuse their serious misbehavior. Personally, I found that that context added a lot to my reading of Dickey.)