TricMon https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/ The lives and works of great poets Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:26:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cropped-logo-32x32.jpg TricMon https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/ 32 32 Words That Live Forever: The Great Poets and Their Literary Legacy https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/words-that-live-forever-the-great-poets-and-their-literary-legacy/ Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:26:21 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=189 Poetry is the language of the soul, a timeless artRead More

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Poetry is the language of the soul, a timeless art form that has the power to transcend generations and speak to the deepest recesses of human emotions. Throughout history, there have been poets whose words have left an indelible mark on the world, continuing to resonate with readers and inspire new generations of writers. In this article, we will explore the lives and enduring legacies of some of the greatest poets in literary history.

William Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon

William Shakespeare, often referred to as the Bard of Avon, is arguably the most famous playwright and poet in the English language. His works, including “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” are considered masterpieces of literature. Shakespeare’s ability to capture the complexities of the human experience through his poetic language and unforgettable characters ensures his place in the annals of literary history. His phrases, such as “To be or not to be” and “All the world’s a stage,” have become part of the fabric of our culture, demonstrating the enduring power of his words.

Emily Dickinson: The Reclusive Genius

Emily Dickinson, known for her reclusive life in Amherst, Massachusetts, is one of America’s most celebrated poets. Her poems, characterized by their brevity and profound introspection, explore themes of love, death, and the human spirit. Although she published only a handful of poems during her lifetime, her work has since been recognized for its innovation and emotional depth. Dickinson’s unique style, marked by her use of dashes and unconventional punctuation, continues to influence contemporary poets, and her poems remain a source of fascination and inspiration.

Pablo Neruda: The Poet of Passion

Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet and diplomat, is renowned for his passionate and politically charged poetry. His verses are a celebration of love, nature, and the human struggle. Neruda’s collection “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair” has become a classic of love poetry, captivating readers with its vivid imagery and raw emotion. His activism and dedication to social justice are also evident in his later works, making him a symbol of the poet as a voice for change. Neruda’s legacy lives on not only in his words but also in the hearts of those who seek to make a difference through poetry.

Maya Angelou: The Phenomenal Woman

Maya Angelou, an African American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, left an indelible mark on American literature. Her autobiographical series, starting with “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” explores her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a strong and confident woman. Angelou’s poetry, infused with themes of identity, resilience, and hope, resonates with readers of all backgrounds. Her poem “Still I Rise” has become an anthem of empowerment, inspiring individuals to overcome adversity and find their voices.

Langston Hughes: The Harlem Renaissance Icon

Langston Hughes, a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, gave voice to the African American experience through his poetry and prose. His works, including “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” and “Dreams Deferred,” address themes of racial inequality, identity, and the search for justice. Hughes’ contribution to the literary world goes beyond his writing; he played a vital role in promoting African American culture and fostering a sense of pride and solidarity among his community. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of art to effect social change.

Rumi: The Mystic Poet

Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, commonly known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic. His works, particularly the “Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi” and the “Mathnawi,” have had a profound impact on both Persian and world literature. Rumi’s poetry transcends cultural and religious boundaries, emphasizing the universality of human experience and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. His poems, filled with metaphors and allegories, explore the journey of the soul towards divine union, offering solace and inspiration to readers seeking deeper meaning in life.

Walt Whitman: The Poet of Democracy

Walt Whitman, often hailed as the “poet of democracy,” is known for his bold and expansive verse. In his collection “Leaves of Grass,” Whitman celebrated the diversity and vitality of American life. His poems are an ode to the common man and a celebration of the human body and spirit. Whitman’s groundbreaking use of free verse and his frank exploration of sexuality and individualism were revolutionary in his time and continue to influence modern poetry. His belief in the inherent worth and interconnectedness of all people remains a timeless message, echoing through the ages.

In the grand tapestry of literary history, these poets stand as pillars of creativity, wisdom, and humanity. Their words, imbued with passion, insight, and beauty, serve as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience. As we reflect on the lives and works of these great poets, we are reminded that their legacies are not confined to the pages of books but continue to shape our understanding of the world and inspire us to explore the depths of our own souls through the magic of words.

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Merging Literary Legacy with Online Gambling https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/merging-literary-legacy-with-online-gambling/ Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:19:43 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=185 In the digital age, industries often find innovative ways toRead More

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In the digital age, industries often find innovative ways to adapt and evolve, catering to the changing interests of consumers. One such intriguing fusion of two seemingly unrelated worlds is the merger of literary legacy with online gambling. This fascinating synergy has given rise to a new realm where iconic characters, captivating narratives, and literary themes seamlessly blend with the thrill of casino gaming.

The Literary Influence on Slot Machines

Slot machines, a staple of the casino world, have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. While traditional slot machines featured fruit symbols and lucky sevens, contemporary slots now boast themes inspired by beloved literary works. Players can embark on adventures with characters from classic novels, spinning the reels alongside famous protagonists and antagonists.

Imagine stepping into a world where the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes assists you in solving mysteries on the reels, or where the charismatic Jay Gatsby invites you to his extravagant parties through immersive bonus rounds. These literary-inspired slot machines offer not only entertainment but also a chance to revisit timeless stories in a unique and interactive way.

Card Games with a Literary Twist

Card games, another cornerstone of the gambling world, have also embraced the literary connection. Decks of cards featuring characters from iconic novels have become collectibles and are used in various card games. Imagine playing a hand of poker with cards illustrated with characters from the works of Jane Austen, adding a touch of literary elegance to your game night.

Furthermore, card games like blackjack and poker have incorporated literary themes into their gameplay. Some versions of these games include storytelling elements, where players make decisions that affect the outcome of the game, mirroring the choices faced by literary characters. This blend of strategy and narrative adds depth and excitement to traditional card games.

The Rise of Themed Casinos

Themed casinos have emerged as a unique concept that marries literature with gambling in a grand fashion. These casinos are designed to transport visitors into the worlds of their favorite books. Whether it’s a jogo-tiger-fortune.com.br casino inspired by the opulence of “The Great Gatsby” or one that immerses players in the enchanting realms of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, themed casinos offer a one-of-a-kind experience.

Visitors to these establishments can enjoy not only traditional casino games but also live performances, interactive exhibits, and themed dining experiences that capture the essence of the literary works they celebrate. It’s a testament to the enduring power of literature to captivate the imagination and create immersive entertainment experiences.

Literary Events in the Gambling World

Literature-themed events have become a significant part of the gambling calendar. Casinos and online gambling platforms frequently host literary-themed promotions, tournaments, and competitions. These events not only celebrate the world of literature but also provide players with unique opportunities to win prizes related to their favorite books.

For instance, a casino might organize a “Sherlock Holmes Mystery Week,” during which players can participate in special detective-themed games and puzzles, with the chance to win exclusive editions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous novels. Such events bridge the gap between literature enthusiasts and casino-goers, fostering a sense of community and excitement.

The Educational Aspect

The fusion of literature and gambling has an unexpected educational component. Players who engage with literary-themed casino games often find themselves delving deeper into the stories that inspire these games. It encourages them to read or reread classic literature, gaining a greater appreciation for the literary canon.

Moreover, some online gambling platforms offer informative articles and blog posts about the literary works that inspired their games. This educational aspect not only enhances the player’s understanding of the themes and characters but also broadens their horizons by introducing them to new literary worlds.

Conclusion

The convergence of literature and online gambling has opened up exciting new avenues for both industries. It allows literature to reach a broader audience in a digital age while enhancing the entertainment value of online gambling. As technology continues to advance, we can only anticipate more creative collaborations between these two worlds, creating a win-win situation for lovers of both literature and casino gaming. So, the next time you spin the reels or play a hand of cards, remember that you might just find yourself immersed in the pages of your favorite novel, with the added excitement of winning big.

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Playing Online Casinos vs. Reading Books: A Leisure Activity Showdown https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/playing-online-casinos-vs-reading-books-a-leisure-activity-showdown/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 15:06:06 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=181 Life can often feel mundane, boring us with the sameRead More

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Life can often feel mundane, boring us with the same daily routine. We all need an occasional escape to spice up our leisure time and ignite our passions. Both online casinos and reading books provide transportive getaways into exciting new worlds, but they cater to very different desires. Should you spin the virtual slot machines like Big Bass Splash for adrenaline-charged action or cozy up with a novel for some tranquil escapism? Let’s dive into the sensory thrills, intellectual expansion, and social connections offered by each to help determine your ideal downtime activity match.

Engaging the Senses: Thrill vs. Tranquility

Lights, Camera, Spin! – The Excitement of Online Casinos

The bright lights, catchy tunes, and fast-paced play of online casinos aim to dazzle your senses and get your heart racing. Slot machines burst with colorful graphics as reels spin and near-win combinations land. Table games like blackjack and roulette build eager anticipation with each dealt card or ball spin. No matter your game of choice, casinos deliver an adrenaline rush and chase for success.

Game GenreSensory Thrills
SlotsFlashing graphics, upbeat music, jackpot chasing
BlackjackSuspense of unknown cards, striving for 21
RouletteWatching the ball spin, betting on numbers

Online casinos offer the perfect sensory stimulation for thrill-seekers looking to escape the mundane and chase big winnings.

A Journey Through Words – The Immersive Power of Reading

In contrast to the high energy casino atmosphere, reading offers a calm, focused escape into new worlds. As your eyes scan the pages, descriptive language transports you into an imaginative realm. Different genres evoke specific emotions – romance novels spark sentimentality, while thrillers breed suspense and intrigue. Non-fiction works can impart meaningful life lessons. Reading exercises your mind while lowering stress, providing tranquil engagement.

The Intellectual Edge: Learning vs. Luck

Brain Games – Online Casinos and Strategic Choices

While chance determines much of your casino success, certain games also involve skill and strategy. Poker players bluff, raise, and fold based on hand potential and odds analysis. Blackjack requires playing your cards optimally to get as close to 21 as possible. Resources like video tutorials, books, and online forums can teach you advanced casino game strategies. Implementing these tips helps shift luck in your favor.

  • Poker bluffing and odds calculation guides
  • Blackjack card counting and soft totals strategies
  • Roulette betting systems and pattern analysis

Gaining a strategic edge takes casino games beyond random entertainment to intellectually engaging brain teasers.

Knowledge Is Power – The Intellectual Enrichment of Reading

Reading deeply expands your knowledge about diverse topics and cultures. Non-fiction books allow you to delve into niche interests like history, science, or art. Biographies impart wisdom from revolutionary figures. Literary fiction strengthens critical thinking skills as you analyze complex characters and themes. Reading strengthens memory, expands vocabulary, and exposes you to new perspectives. The breathtaking range of concepts contained in books provides an unparalleled intellectual journey.

The Social Sphere: Community vs. Solitude

High-Rolling or High-Fiving? – The Social Scene of Online Casinos

While many gamblers play online solo, social features are enhancing the casino community experience. Live dealer games let you interact with a real human croupier and other players via live chat. Some slots have collaborative bonus rounds or group tournaments with leaderboards. Responsible players enjoy swapping tips and celebrating wins together, but should set gambling limits and take breaks to prevent addiction. Online connections make casinos feel like interactive gaming hubs.

A Solo Affair? – The Power of Reading in Solitude

Unlike busy casinos, reading intrinsically offers a personal escape into quiet reflection. Curling up alone with a book allows your mind to decompress and turn inward. Fiction provides a safe space to process emotions, explore relationships, and find inspiration. Unplugging from technology’s constant stimuli to read a paper book can feel especially meditative. For those desiring shared connections, book clubs build social bonds around literature. Either way, reading fosters introspection.

Finding Your Perfect Match: The Final Verdict

Know Your Cravings – Assessing Your Needs and Preferences

Consider your individual personality and desires. Do bright lights and interactive gameplay better excite you, or does curling up with a good book sound more appealing? Determine which pastime best satisfies your needs so you can maximize enjoyment during leisure time.

Responsible Choices – Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Well-being

Both online casinos and reading offer healthy escapes when practiced responsibly, but potential risks exist. Set gambling loss limits, take frequent breaks, and keep casinos purely entertainment to avoid addiction. Monitor reading time to prevent social isolation or eye strain. Seek support if challenges arise so you can thrive while engaging in your chosen leisure pursuit.

Conclusion

Online casinos and books both transport you away from the mundane but in very different directions. Seek slots and tables for an adrenaline rush, or reading for tranquil mind expansion. Assess your cravings and embrace the activity that best resonates with you. Just be sure to set healthy boundaries so your ideal escape remains a positive force. Whether you roll the dice or turn the page, choose wisely and enjoy the journey!

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Playing Games vs. Reading Books: Finding Your Perfect Escape https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/playing-games-vs-reading-books-finding-your-perfect-escape/ Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:08:01 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=177 In our modern world filled with endless entertainment options, twoRead More

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In our modern world filled with endless entertainment options, two timeless pastimes stand out from the crowd: playing games and reading books. Both offer captivating escapes into imaginary realms, fuel our imaginations, and provide unique benefits to our minds and lives. But when it comes to choosing between them, the age-old debate rages on. Which activity offers greater value and enjoyment? The answer, like a well-crafted story, lies not in absolutes but in our own individual preferences and the rich tapestry each pastime can unfold.

The Power of Play: Immersing Yourself in Interactive Worlds

Gaming offers the chance to immerse yourself in interactive digital worlds full of adventure, competition, and imagination. Unlike passive forms of entertainment, games allow you to take an active role and unleash your inner hero.
Unleash Your Inner Hero Games let you explore fantastical landscapes, solve gripping puzzles, and conquer daunting challenges. The appeal lies in character progression, unlocking new abilities, and the thrill of overcoming obstacles.
Forge Bonds and Rivalries Gaming facilitates social connection through cooperative adventures or competitive clashes. Online communities provide camaraderie, and teamwork brings joy. Healthy competition with others inspires excellence.
Sharpen Your Reflexes and Mind Certain genres like puzzle, strategy, or action titles stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and reflexes. Playing games trains these cognitive abilities.
Popular franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Call of Duty immerse you in rich storytelling and gameplay. But gaming’s social elements also shine. Playing Fortnite with friends, joining a guild in World of Warcraft, or competing in esports develops cooperation and connections. Strategy titles like Civilization exercise critical analysis, planning, and adaptability. Whatever your preferred genre, games provide interactive challenges, worlds to get lost in, and human connections – the perfect recipe for engagement and joy.

Beyond Pixelated Worlds: The Enduring Enchantment of Books

While games offer digital immersion, books provide access to vast worlds limited only by our imaginations. The timeless magic of reading transcends technological advances.
Travel Through Time and Space Books transport you to fantasy lands, historical epics, and transformative inner journeys. The power of the written word immerses you deeply in settings and narratives.
Expand Your Empathy and Knowledge Reading exposes you to diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences outside your own. This fosters understanding of others and emotional intelligence.
Sharpen Your Language Skills Reading strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, writing ability, and creativity. Fiction inspires imaginative thinking and storytelling skills.
Whether following Frodo’s quest in Lord of the Rings, experiencing Jane Austen’s romantic landscapes, or plunging into Hemingway’s stark character studies, books transport us through time, space, and the human condition. Reading builds knowledge of history, science, and the world. Moreover, exposure to different viewpoints spurs social awareness and empathy. And reading itself exercises the mind’s linguistic and creative capacities. From ancient myths to pulpy scifi, books unlock journeys of every kind.

Beyond the Binary: Embracing the Synergistic Duo

Rather than framing gaming and reading as incompatible, it’s most productive to recognize their potential synergy. Their strengths can complement each other.
  • Break the mold – The “either/or” mentality is limiting. Playing games AND reading gives you diverse options for entertainment and growth.
  • Balance is key – Incorporate both gaming and reading into your routine, but set boundaries so other life areas don’t suffer neglect. With balance, you can enjoy their benefits.
  • Choose your adventure – Ultimately the choice is personal, so explore both worlds and discover which – or what combination – brings you joy. Customize your own adventure.
Genres like interactive fiction blend gaming’s interactivity with reading’s storytelling. Popular games adapted from books like The Witcher showcase this fusion of mediums. But balance matters too. Setting a timer for gaming and making time for books prevents obsession. By embracing each activity’s strengths, you can maximize enjoyment and enrichment. The two complement each other wonderfully.

Conclusion: Choose Your Own Adventure

While seemingly incompatible to some, games and books are woven from the same fabric of imagination and escapism. Whether wielding a controller or turning pages, the choice is yours. So venture forth, brave adventurer, into these rich worlds of play and storytelling. Let your imagination guide you to the tales waiting to unfold, and choose the medium that speaks to you. Like any great adventure, the journey will transform you in wondrous ways.

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The Poetry of Robert Burns: The Brave Poetic Heart of Scotland https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/the-poetry-of-robert-burns-the-brave-poetic-heart-of-scotland/ Fri, 05 May 2023 08:56:37 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=144 The work of Robert Burns is an enduring testament toRead More

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The work of Robert Burns is an enduring testament to Scotland’s poetic heart. From his revolutionary and thought-provoking works to his traditional folk songs, Burns has captivated generations with his imaginative and passionate writing. His words have been immortalized in the hearts and minds of all Scots, whether they are part of the diaspora or still call Scotland their home. This article will explore why Robert Burns is such an important cultural figure in Scotland and how his works have impacted the world.

Robert Burns was born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1759. He was a member of the lower classes and grew up with a strong sense of social justice and empathy for others. This sense of compassion would fuel many of his ballads and songs, which depicted rural life with honesty and insight. His works were often revolutionary in nature and he was also known for his passionate views on politics, economics, and religion. Furthermore, much of his poetry was written in the vernacular of the Scottish people, allowing him to accurately capture their feelings and experiences.

Poet has had an undeniable influence on Scotland’s culture over the centuries, with his work being a source of national pride and identity. His songs have been performed at celebrations, festivals, and other gatherings for centuries. He has also been credited with reviving many traditional Scottish songs and poems, preserving them for future generations to enjoy. Furthermore, he was one of the first to focus on themes such as justice, poverty, love, and loyalty in his works. These are concepts that are still relevant today and demonstrate why his works are still so important.

Burns’ works have had a global influence, with translations of his works being published in countries around the world. His writings have been translated into almost every major language and continue to speak to people today, showing that poetry can bridge cultural divides. He has also inspired many other writers, including Walt Whitman and John Keats. Ultimately, Robert Burns is an important cultural figure in Scotland and his works will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

The Literary Legacy of Robert Burns

As an 18th-century poet, he composed some of the most lovely and heartfelt works that are still celebrated centuries later. His poetic legacy is as alive today as it was when he wrote during his lifetime.

Beyond his impact on Scotland’s culture, Burns’ work has had a profound influence on many other writers. His vivid language and passionate themes have inspired many generations of poets and continue to do so today. He popularized the poetic forms of the ballad, sonnet, and ode which are still used in modern literature. In addition to these traditional forms, Burns also experimented with more modern structures such as the epigram and elegy. His writing style was also ahead of its time in that he often wrote from a first-person perspective, bringing life to his characters and stories.

Ultimately, Robert Burns is an important figure in both literature and culture. His works continue to speak to people around the world, showing us why poetry can be such a powerful way of expression.

Followers of Robert Burns

Many of Robert Burns’ followers are inspired by his powerful and emotive poetry. His works have been cited as a source of inspiration for writers, politicians, and activists alike. In addition to being an influential figure in literature and culture, Burns was also a pioneer of social justice issues. His works speak on topics such as poverty, gender equality, and civil rights which are still relevant today.

Burns’ followers have kept his memory alive by creating clubs, societies, and foundations in his honor. These organizations not only celebrate the poet’s works but also help to preserve and promote Scotland’s literary heritage. Through these organizations, they are able to pass on Burns’ legacy to future generations so that they can appreciate the power of poetry.

The Influence of Robert Burns on Modern Poetry

Robert Burns is an iconic figure in the history of Scottish poetry and his works have had a lasting effect on modern poets. His vivid language and emotive themes have inspired many generations of writers, from Walt Whitman to John Keats. In addition to popularizing poetic forms such as the ballad, sonnet, and ode, he also experimented with more modern structures such as the epigram and elegy. His works are a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to bridge cultural divides.

Today, Burns’ influence can be seen in the work of contemporary poets. His vivid language and emotive themes continue to inspire writers who seek to capture their own experiences in a similar way. His works are still studied in classrooms around the world and continue to be celebrated centuries later. Ultimately, Robert Burns is an important figure in literature and culture, and his works will continue to inspire writers for generations to come.

Burns had a tumultuous life with many personal struggles including poverty, alcoholism, and depression. Despite these hardships, he was able to channel his inner feelings into his work which is what makes it so powerful and timeless.

Burns’ death was sudden and unexpected; he had been suffering from fever and rheumatism for some time but seemed to be recovering before tragically passing away. He left behind a legacy of work that has been celebrated and studied ever since. His works are still used as an example of the power of poetry and continue to influence modern poets.

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Emily Dickinson Lyrics https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/emily-dickinson-lyrics/ Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:15:00 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=83 Not only war poetry, but also romantic poetry as aRead More

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Not only war poetry, but also romantic poetry as a whole, previously constrained by prose genres, was in its heyday. The Romanticists united under the banners of poetry were not a group, many of them knew nothing about each other and lived in different cities and towns in the United States. It is noteworthy, however, that all of them (with the exception of W. Whitman, born on Long Island and in New York, respectively, and H. Melville, the novelist and “dissenter”) were natives of New England or the Southern states.

In terms of this discussion, the development of New England Romantic lyricism, rooted in the tradition of spiritual quests of Puritan poetry by A. Bradstreet and E. Taylor. An example of innovative development and reinterpretation of this tradition and at the same time a clear indication of the late high rise of American Romanticism is the work of Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (1830-1886).

Emily Dickinson is one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of world literature, both humanly and creatively. Her creative destiny is extraordinary: all her life even her closest neighbors had no idea that she wrote poetry. Nor did her relatives, who lived in the same house with her – her mother, her father, her brother Austin, and her sister Lavinia – know about it for a long time. During Dickinson’s life in print only eight of her poems appeared – all unsigned. Her first collection, published posthumously in 1890, attracted almost no attention.

Her fame began in the twentieth century. In 1955 appeared a complete collection of E. Dickinson’s poems, which consisted of three volumes and included more than 1,700 poems, and a year later – a three-volume collection of letters – a kind of “poet’s prose”. Here is a sample of it: “You ask me, who are my friends? The hills, sir, and the sunset. And a brown dog as tall as me…”

The literature on Dickinson now numbers dozens of monographs, and yet the controversy continues. What sometimes happens to poets happened to Emily Dickinson – she was ahead of her time. In the nineteenth century her verse, too original, too individual, too unlike anyone else’s, obviously could not be understood. When it was understood, it was recognized that she was an inspired poet, deeper than anyone before her, who had penetrated uncharted realms of the spirit and paved the way for twentieth-century poetry.

The daughter of a lawyer, Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, a small provincial town in Massachusetts, and here, apart from brief trips to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington in her youth, has spent her life. In the last twenty-five years she did not leave home at all, and to the indignation of her family stopped attending even church meetings. Emily Dickinson, however, was a deeply religious person. “When the family went to church,” she explained, “I was never alone. God sat beside me and looked right into my soul.”

Dickinson was neither a nun, nor a mystic, nor simply an eccentric. All her “oddities” had reasons both in her personal, intimate life and in the spiritual situation that America and New England were experiencing at the time. In fact, all the reasons boiled down to one, the name of which is romanticism. Romanticism as a protest against the soullessness and baseness of the existence around her, with all its wars, the struggle for position in society, for influence and literary recognition.

Her refusal to publish was also a protest. She did not want to dirty the pure banner of poetry relations with booksellers, did not want to please the then literary tastes “smooth” their poems to be published: “Let my poems remain barefoot,” – she said. E. Dickinson was a romantic and a rebel by nature, though her rebellion had a special quality and manifested itself in a stoic rejection of what she considered alien to herself.

When Charles Wordsworth moved to another state in 1861, and began for Emily Dickinson the time of her “white election” (she dressed in white and confined herself to the walls of her home for the rest of her life). Biographers have wondered what this meant-the color of “royal mourning” (as we know, mourning kings are white) or the “bride’s white color” of waiting (a new meeting did take place, but only twenty years later)? It is more likely that Wordsworth’s departure was only the impetus. The reclusion in which Emily Dickinson cherished her unfulfilled love was an attempt to build some kind of alternative universe in this mundane, down-to-earth and ordinary world. The poetess’s reference to the “country” that “a friend has left” is not coincidental. It must be said that she managed to build her own, self-sufficient world: this is her poetry.

As in the poems of her direct predecessors, the Puritan poets of 17th and 18th century New England, an exceptional place in the lyrics of E. Dickinson’s lyricism occupies an exceptional place with the Bible. Researchers who have undertaken to identify the poetess’s “biblical” poems have found that this is virtually her entire body of work; even texts that do not mention events and characters from the Bible touch with it in one way or another.

A great many of E. Dickinson’s poems are directly based on Scripture. She is in constant conversation with God, discussing episodes in the history of Israel, the characters of heroes, kings, and prophets, while demonstrating a not at all puritanical independence of judgment. For example, it “seems unfair to her how Moses was treated” when he was given to see the Promised Land, but was not allowed to enter it. God is her Father, loving but sometimes overly strict, while she is not always the submissive daughter, eager to understand everything on her own and to get to the bottom of it.

The themes of Emily Dickinson’s other, not so numerous, poems are eternal themes of poetry: nature, love, life, death, immortality. Distinctive features of her lyrics – the peculiarity of interpretation, which lies in the organic interaction of the ordinary and philosophical plans; the dominant place taken by the question of immortality; and unusual in the literature of the XIX century form of expression.

Dickinson’s immortality is not the posthumous fame that poets usually have in mind and for which she, who did not even publish her poems, clearly did not count, just as death for her is not the end of everything or complete hopelessness, for faith in a Savior provides “eternal life. Her understanding of love is also peculiar: it is not a purely spiritual union, as in the poetry of most romantics, but not simply a carnal connection, but both, and something else – a heavenly revelation. In fact, this is a deeply Christian interpretation of love, which includes various shades, comprehensive and self-sufficient, like the love of God.

All of Emily Dickinson’s indigenous poetic concepts take on their original, religious-philosophical meaning. At the same time, these concepts are not abstractions for her, but something quite real and concrete. In her poems, usually very short, devoted to the everyday phenomena of life (morning, a clover flower, a well in the garden), there is necessarily a second, philosophical plane.

Such is the lyrics of Emily Dickinson, a phenomenon, at the same time, and contradictory, and in its own way whole. It is indicative that, for all the breadth of spiritual interests, the nature of the problems that concerned the poetess, almost unchanged. In her case it is not necessary to talk about the evolution of creativity: it is a growing deepening of motives outlined in her very first texts, the evidence of the ever deepening life of the spirit.

Emily Dickinson’s innovative and original verse seemed “too elusive” or “shapeless” to her contemporaries. Higginson, the publisher of eight poems published in her lifetime, wrote that they “resemble vegetables dug out of a vegetable garden at a moment’s notice, with rain and dew and bits of earth clinging clearly to them.” This definition seems quite correct, especially if by “earth” we mean not dirt, but soil as the primary basis of all that is and is essential. E. Dickinson’s lyrics really lack the euphony and smoothness that readers of her time appreciated so much. It is a poetry of dissonance, whose author has not experienced the polishing and standardizing influence of any “circle” or “school,” and has therefore retained a distinctive style, clarity, precision, and sharpness of thought.

Her poetic technique is only Emily Dickinson’s technique. What, then, is her specificity? First of all, in the laconicism that dictates the omission of conjunctions, truncated rhymes, truncated sentences. The peculiarity is also evident in the system of punctuation invented by the poetess – the extensive use of dashes, emphasizing the rhythm, and capital letters, emphasizing key words and emphasizing the meaning. This form was born not of an inability to write smoothly (Dickinson also has quite traditional poems) and not of a desire to stand out (she wrote exclusively for herself and for God), but of a desire to highlight the very grain of thought – without a husk, without a shiny shell. This, too, is a kind of rebellion against the then fashionable verbal “curls.

The form of Dickinson’s poems is natural to her and determined by thought. Moreover, her incomplete rhymes, irregularities of style, convulsive changes of rhythm, the very unevenness of her poetry is now perceived as a metaphor for the surrounding life and is becoming increasingly relevant. Actually, Emily Dickinson’s time came only in the 50-70s of the XX century, when one of the most important trends in American poetry was the philosophical lyric, filled with complex spiritual and moral collisions, and when the author’s innovative and free style stopped shocking compatriots already accustomed to dissonance.

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Biography and Works of Edgar Allan Poe: His Life Story and His Influence on American Literature https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/biography-and-works-of-edgar-allan-poe-his-life-story-and-his-influence-on-american-literature/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 17:44:00 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=92 Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) had the strongest impact on theRead More

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Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) had the strongest impact on the American cultural world. How powerfully the profound originality of American culture broke through can be seen in his work as a document of the spiritual history of the nineteenth century.

This American poet and writer, his world of ideas, and even his appearance had a great impact not only on American culture of the mid-nineteenth century. With great difficulty, overcoming conservatism and hostility, Poe invaded world literature. He might not have been able to break through the critics’ intolerant appraisals had it not been for the striking musical sound of his works, which contain profound philosophical meanings. Strongly influenced in his youth by Byron, Coleridge, and Hoffmann, E. Poe wrote a vivid page in the era of mature American Romanticism. It was a period of “nativism”-the romantic appropriation of American reality. American Romanticism, to a greater extent than European Romanticism, reveals a deep connection with the philosophical and aesthetic principles of the Enlightenment. The beginning of the mature Romanticism is conventionally associated with the economic crisis that shook the foundations of American society in 1837. The activities of a number of democratic literary journals, in particular, the Democratic Review O. Sullivan, created an atmosphere of creative freedom, which played a significant role in the evolution of the romantic consciousness of American artists.

In the course of the birth of national art criticism as part of the literary process, the work of E. Poe was a significant factor. With a keen eye for contemporary American consciousness, the writer was absorbed in exploring the human psyche.

Poe was a century ahead of his contemporaries, creating a rigorous aesthetic concept, a theory of the story. These ideas are outlined in the articles “The Philosophy of Creativity”, “The Poetic Principle”, “The Theory of Verse”, in various literary reviews.

Poe wrote that there should not be a single word in any work that did not directly or indirectly lead to a single intended purpose. It is customary to note the precision, the alignment of his works. He was one of the first to understand the need to change the human consciousness involved in the creative process, to the idea of synthesis rather than the opposition of logical thinking and imagination.

However, no theoretical constructions allow us to unravel the magic of the artist’s prose and poetry. His prose reveals a striking fusion of the fantastic and the realistic, the parodic and the serious. The mechanism of creativity is set in motion by two opposing forces: the meticulous activity of consciousness (a feature of the realist worldview) and the flight of fancy, intuition. In doing so, Poe achieves a remarkable synthesis that encourages a worldview in which, in the writer’s own words, the tree both remains and ceases to be a tree.

This approach later inspired the writers and artists of Symbolism, but in the middle of the nineteenth century it was a powerful counterposition of his creative self to the prevailing rationalism Another extreme in the form of “pure poetry,” “pure art,” emerged on the road to Symbolism, but Edgar Allan Poe never belonged to it: as strange as it sounds, he always stood his ground firm, coming from a truly deep understanding of the laws of life in the young North American republic, from a social reality he knew and understood perfectly.

A failed thirst for action, contempt for the surrounding squalor and calculating pragmatism created in his work a conflict of the moral and the aesthetic, typical of a certain tradition of artistic culture in Europe, beginning with Socrates, Plato, Aurelius, Augustine, then Oscar Wilde, Leo Tolstoy, Charles Baudelaire, and others. By the way, Europe owes its acquaintance with Poe’s unfading masterpieces to Baudelaire: The Raven, Annabelle Leigh, The City by the Sea, Ulyalume, Eldorado, etc.

Baudelaire wrote that Poe’s poetry, like any high poetic work, comprehends before all philosophical systems the inner and secret relations between things.

From the fifties of the 19th century short stories and novellas of the artist were published. Poe introduced into literature the genre of small fiction form. In his expressive narratives there is nothing superfluous, no redundant elements, the author’s idea is always revealed with a minimum of necessary words. The writer did not distract from the main idea, creating a kind of concentration of thoughts, images and words. It was not until a century later that American literature fully appreciated Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories, making this form one of the favorite and most popular genres. The character, the situation, the atmosphere of the work, the writer never ceased to control analytically, consistently leading the reader to the disclosure of the central idea. At the same time, his individual style abounds in the techniques of romanticism, primarily manifested in an undoubted predilection for the supernatural. Poe seemed to laugh at the primitiveness of realism, constantly rising to poetic heights and philosophically embracing the sad world. He took a step toward symbolism without losing touch with the proper American soil, with the peculiar American culture.

Edgar Allan Poe was also the founder of the detective story, which had a great future in America (and not only here). A deep and skeptical mind, a character going against all odds, he rejected the platitudes of modernity and created a phenomenon of global significance, his own aesthetic school, opened up new horizons of the poetic imagination. It was not for nothing that Hegel, in completing his Philosophy of History, spoke of America as the country of the future – the talents of its citizens already promised to make that future bright.

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Walt Whitman, A Life in Letters and Symbols https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/walt-whitman-a-life-in-letters-and-symbols/ Mon, 01 Jun 2020 04:36:00 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=89 If we are talking about the avant-garde of English-language literature,Read More

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If we are talking about the avant-garde of English-language literature, very soon we are directed to Walt Whitman, born May 31, 1819, in West Hills, Long Island, New York, the son of Walter Whitman y Louise Van Welsor, who had nine children.

The childhood of the residents of the Whitman van Welsor home It was not an easy one, for due to financial difficulties Walt and his brothers had to drop out of school to maintain a home, which soon led him to seek work and find it as an assistant printer, laying the foundation from age twelve for his love of letters.

Mostly self-taught, by 1835 Walt Whitman was avidly reading the works of Shakespeare, Homer, Dante y The Bible while learning the profession of lyricist. After a great fire in New York City that destroyed the printing industry a year later, Walt left these offices to teach in the New York City public schools. Brooklyn y Long Island until 1839, when he finally turned to journalism as a full-time career.

Thus he founded a weekly newspaper, the Islander, and later edited several Brooklyn y New York newspapers including the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, from there he became editor of the New Orleans Crescent for three months. After seeing the slave auctions in New Orleans, Return to Brooklyn in the fall of 1848 and co-founded another newspaper, the Brooklyn Freeman, which he edited until the following fall.

These years spent in editorials opened the door for him to meet his writing contemporaries, including his idol. Ralph Waldo Emerson and illustrator Andrew Rome, with whom he would collaborate to create an image of his first work.

Consecration of Walt Whitman and his Weed

As early as 1855, with the aforementioned friendship, Walt published the first edition of the book. Leaves of Grass, consisting of twelve poems with no title or preface. A year later Whitman published a second edition of the book, which contained thirty-two poems, a letter from Emerson praising the first edition, and a long open letter from himself. Whitman continued to refine the volume of his Leaves of Grass in the following years, publishing several more editions of the book, a world-renowned test of the moral, psychological, and political constraints of English-language poetry and literature.

From this work come three of Walt Whitman’s major poems, ‘I Sing the Electric Body,’ ‘Sleepers’ AND ‘Song of Myself,’ which were combined in the first edition of Leaves of Grass.

Like many of his generation and some other writing and art professionals, Walt witnessed military conflicts, particularly the Civil War in 1861, so he vowed to live life clean as a freelance journalist and chronicler of the wounded in New York City hospitals. He then went to Washington, D.C. in December 1862 to care for one of his brothers who had also been wounded in the war.

This experience brings a sensitivity and compassion that complements his poetic work as he sees himself overwhelmed by the suffering of the wounded, polishes his pen, and further makes his way as one of America’s most important lyricists.

For a little over a decade Whitman stayed and worked in hospitals, taking a job at a hospital. The Office of Indian Affairs that he would later lose because his boss did not look favorably on Leaves of Grass, his years work.

In 1873, after leaving the care of the wounded, Walt Whitman suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, and realizing that his life was nearing its end, he traveled to Camden, New Jersey, to visit his dying mother in the home of one of his brothers. There he remained in the company of his family and published the last issue of the book. Leaves of Grass in 1882, along with several other poems and prose such as Farewell, My Fantasy, providing him with enough funds to build the house in which he died on March 26, 1892. He was buried in a grave he designed in a plot in Harley Cemetery.

In Leaves of Grass, Whitman holds an important position in English-language literature and, more importantly, is at the forefront of world literature, influencing later styles such as Futurism, Creationism, Imaginism y Ultraism, as well as some of the most famous names in poetry, such as: Reuben Dario, José Martí, Cherie Martinelli, Federico García Lorca, Pablo Neruda, Guillaume Apollinaire, y Allen Ginsberg, who was one of the most prominent figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950 decade.

His struggles with the guild

Unlike many of his other colleagues who did not struggle to gain the recognition they deserved, Walt had no support that could give him any more decline, even in other parts of the world he never reached.

For example, Henry James y William Dean HowellsRepresentatives of the young creative generation of 1865 believed that Whitman’s reputation was undeserved because he was not a writer with a sensitivity to language, with a musical or verbal ear.

Gerald Manley HopkinsOn the other hand, he acknowledged his literary contributions, but objected that Walt Whitman’s “wild” style lacked rigor. George Santayana He said he did not read him because of his verbal grace, which Shakespeare did not excel at, but he had his own merit: his message, born of inspiration and delivered through the shouting voice of nature in the wilderness of convention.

The Idaho poet, Ezra Pound, considers him his “spiritual father” and recognizes in him a poet who in North America takes the place of Dante in Italy, thus justifying his inevitable influence.

Yet despite the controversy he may or may not face because of his wicked, assertive, discursive and prophetic style, or the fact that doubts arise as to whether his ideas of equality, freedom and solidarity are only one of his poetic resources, Walt Whitman stands alongside Emily Dickinson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe y Henry David Thoreau as the most influential poets in the United States, because although Whitman, the man, does not take Whitman’s place as a poet, it is important to save the importance of his work for modern literature.

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Biography and Works of Sylvia Plath: She Was One of the Most Talented Poets of the 20th Century https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/biography-and-works-of-sylvia-plath-she-was-one-of-the-most-talented-poets-of-the-20th-century/ Fri, 20 Sep 2019 17:28:00 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=86 Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1932, in Massachusetts.Read More

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Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1932, in Massachusetts.

Her parents, Otto Emil and Aurelia Plath, adored their daughter, who idolized only her father, who taught at Boston University and was a specialist in bees. His scientific writings and will made a great impression on the sensitive Sylvia, and she imitated her father in everything. His death from diabetes in 1940 was a tragedy for Sylvia, but perhaps it was this sad event that awakened her literary talent. Sylvia’s first poem appeared when she was less than eight years old in the pages of the school paper, the Boston Herald. She was a star in school, getting straight A’s, publishing her poems and short stories, winning contests in which she participated, and being a model student and daughter.

In 1950 she won a grant to attend Smith College, where she wrote more than four hundred poems and several dozen short stories. For one of these she won first place in the Mademoiselle magazine contest and the opportunity to go to New York. After a short trip, depressed by the big city and the cruelty of those around her, Sylvia fell into a severe depression, which ended with a note: “Gone for a walk, do not lose me, I will be home tomorrow. She took a blanket, a bottle of water, and a pack of sleeping pills with her. A week later her mother and brother found Sylvia in the basement of their house. She didn’t want to be found. The recovery was long, painful, but successful. The following year, Plath graduated with honors from college and wrote a paper entitled “The Magic Mirror: Doppelgangers in Novels,” for which she received a grant to study at Cambridge.

She immediately fell in love with this small and cozy city. She gave all her time to her studies, and in the 1950s, this 23-year-old single girl seemed to others, to say the least, strange. But one day, buying another issue of the student almanac, she read a poem by the young poet Ted Hughes, whom she had met that very evening. Then she wrote in her diary, “One day he will bring me death.

On June 16, 1956, they were married. Hughes was a really talented, independent poet, and his first book, A Hawk in the Rain, won an award from the New York Poetry Center. The couple was able to use the money to travel to America, where they spent several years teaching college and creating new poems and stories. Sylvia’s style was designed for publication in women’s magazines, which was unacceptable for the serious literature into which she aspired. It was not until after the birth of her first child that her book, Johnny’s Fears and the Dream Bible, was published, and the following year her first poetry collection, Collosum and Other Poems, was published, which was critically acclaimed. But at the time, no one could even imagine the depth, power, and beauty in Sylvia Plath’s poems.

In the spring of 1962, she and her husband moved to Devon, where Sylvia completed her most famous novel, Under the Glass Cover, and a few months later she had her second child. In the fall of 1962, because of Ted’s infidelity, a divorce took place, and it was a tragedy for Sylvia. But October 1962 was a real poetic boom in her writing. She wrote 25 poems, all of which went into the golden fund of American and world literature. “Ariel,” “Lady Lazarus,” “Daddy,” “Detective,” and “Nick and the Candle” were imbued with genuine passion, anguish. Sylvia claimed that the Lord God spoke through her lips. She woke up at four in the morning and wrote poems until sunrise.

In November, Sylvia wrote equally outstanding poems, “Death and ©,” “Poppies in November,” “Gulliver” and “Winter Trees.” But material hardship crippled Sylvia’s already frail health. The winter of 1963 was the coldest winter of the twentieth century in Britain. Sick, helpless, Sylvia tried to find help, but to no avail. Her last poems were imbued with resignation to fate, some somnambulism, indifference.

Sylvia’s creative legacy is small: several poetry collections, a novel. Her diaries… But one cannot find in them, either, the reasons for her departure at such a young age. It is said that her husband censored her diaries, he even burned two of them, where there was a clue. Hugh later confessed that he had burned the diaries and said it was his way of trying to protect his children. It was only just before his death that he published his “Birthday Letters,” in which he shared only in part what he had been silent about for years.

Sylvia Plath, a beautiful, brilliant, promising young poet, left many letters, diaries, and poems that were published after her death. She is considered a martyr poetess who sought union with her late father, but at the same time struggled with a sense of hopelessness and clung to life as best she could.

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The Life and Work of Oscar Wilde: How His Life Reflected in His Works https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/the-life-and-work-of-oscar-wilde-how-his-life-reflected-in-his-works/ Mon, 09 Jul 2018 13:51:00 +0000 https://www.patricia-monaghan.com/?p=95 His full name is Oscar Fingal O’Flaherty Wills Wilde. OfRead More

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His full name is Oscar Fingal O’Flaherty Wills Wilde. Of Irish descent. He was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854, into a very prominent family. His father, Sir William Wilde, was a world-renowned ophthalmologist and author of many scientific works; his mother was a socialite who wrote poetry about Ireland and the liberation movement and considered her receptions a literary salon.

Young Wilde grew up in an atmosphere of poetry and affective-theatrical exaltation, which could not but affect his later work and lifestyle. After leaving school, he spent several years at Dublin’s privileged Trinity College before enrolling at Oxford. Here, influenced by the lectures of John Ruskin, the Romantic poets, and the art of the Pre-Raphaelites, the brilliant student’s aesthetic views are formed.

The cult of the Beautiful, of which Wilde was an ardent propagandist, led the young man to a rebellion against bourgeois values, but more of a purely aesthetic rebellion, which manifested itself not only in his elegantly beautiful poems but also in a deliberately flamboyant style of dress and behavior – an extravagant suit with a sunflower in the buttonhole (later the sunflower would be replaced by Wilde’s famous green carnation), artificially mannered, almost ritualistic speech intonations.

Almost for the first time in the history of culture, the artist, the writer considered his whole life as an aesthetic act, becoming the forerunner of the celebrities of the Russian Silver Age, the Futurists or the most consistent adherent of the epatage lifestyle – Salvador Dali.

However, what had become almost an artistic norm in the twentieth century was, for Victorian England in the late nineteenth century, inadmissible. This led Wilde to tragedy. Already Wilde’s first poetry collection – Poems (1881) demonstrated his commitment to the aesthetic direction of decadence, which is characterized by the cult of individualism, pretentiousness, mysticism, pessimistic moods of solitude and despair. His first experience in drama – “Faith, or the Nihilists” – also belongs to this time.

However, for the next ten years he did not work on drama, turning to other genres – essays, fairy tales, literary and artistic manifestos. At the end of 1881 he went to New York, where he was invited to give a course of lectures on literature. In these lectures Wilde first formulated the basic principles of English decadence, later elaborated in detail in his treatises, consolidated in 1891 in his book Convictions. The denial of the social function of art, earthiness, plausibility, the solipsistic concept of nature, and the assertion of the artist’s right to full self-expression are reflected in Wilde’s famous works – his fairy tales, however, objectively breaking out into the limits of decadence. It is impossible not to note the magical, truly mesmerizing charm of these very beautiful and sad stories, undoubtedly addressed not only to children but also to adult readers. However, from the point of view of theatrical art, something else is more important in Wilde’s tales: they crystallize the aesthetic style of polished paradox that distinguishes Wilde’s little dramaturgy and makes his plays a unique phenomenon, almost unparalleled in world literature.

Perhaps the only correct stylistic analogy to Wilde’s plays can be found in the dramaturgy of Bernard Shaw, for all the polarity of their creative and life principles. Before returning to drama, however, Wilde wrote his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), commissioned by an American publisher, as a kind of transition from fairy tales, in which the writer clearly outlined the range of his problems. The aestheticization of immorality, the concept of cynical hedonism, the spicy charm of the vice that flourishes in the luxurious interiors of aristocratic salons – all this would later pass into Wilde’s refined comedies.

Wilde’s plays were all written in the early 1890s: Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), The Woman Not Worth Noticing (1893), The Holy Harlot, or The Woman Sprinkled with Jewels (1893), The Perfect Husband (1895), The Importance of Being Serious (1895) – and were immediately staged on the London stage. They were a great success; critics wrote that Wilde had brought a revival to English theatrical life, a continuation of Sheridan’s dramatic tradition. As time passed, however, it became clear that these plays could hardly be classified as mere “comedies of manners.

Today it is Wilde who, along with Shaw, is rightly considered the founder of intellectual theater, which in the mid-20th century was developed into a current of absurdism. In the 1890s almost all of Wilde’s work was accompanied by high-profile public scandals. The first of these arose with The Portrait of Dorian Gray, when a broad discussion of the novel was reduced to an accusation of immorality. Then, in 1893, the British censorship forbade the production of the drama “Salome”, written in French for Sarah Bernhardt. Here the accusations of immorality were much more serious, since the biblical subject had been translated into a decadent style. The stage history of “Salome” came only at the beginning of the 20th century, with the rise of Symbolism: it was staged by the famous German stage director Max Reinhart in 1903; in 1905 Richard Strauss wrote an opera based on it; in 1917 Russia saw a performance by Alexander Tairov with Alisa Cohnen in the leading part. But the major scandal that shattered not only his career as a playwright, but his entire life, began in 1895, shortly after the premiere of the playwright’s last comedy. Wilde, defending himself against public accusations of homosexuality, sued the Marquis of Queensberry, father of his closest friend Alfred Douglas. But Douglas, who had effectively separated Wilde from his family and had been his lavish support for three years, testified at the trial as a witness for the prosecution. Wilde was convicted of immorality and sentenced to imprisonment.

The titles of Wilde’s plays immediately disappeared from theater posters and his name was no longer mentioned. The only colleague of Wilde’s who petitioned for clemency was Shaw. The two years the writer spent in prison turned out to be his last two literary works of great artistic power. They were the prose confession De Profundis (From the Deep), written during his imprisonment and published posthumously, and the poem The Ballad of Reading Prison, written soon after his release in 1897. It was published under a pseudonym, which was Wilde’s prison number, S.3.3. He wrote nothing else. Adopting the name Sebastian Melmoth, Wilde went to France.

One of the most brilliant and sophisticated aesthetes of nineteenth-century England spends the last years of his life in poverty, obscurity and loneliness. Oscar Wilde died Nov. 30, 1900 of acute meningitis caused by an ear infection. He died in a run-down hotel. His last words were, “It was either me or that ugly floral wallpaper. He was buried in Paris in the Bagno Cemetery. About ten years later he was reburied in the Père-Lachaise cemetery. In 1914 a winged sphinx of stone by Jacob Epstein was placed on his grave.

For a century admirers expressed their love for the great writer by leaving inscriptions and kisses on the monument, having previously covered their lips thickly with lipstick. Greasy cosmetics had a detrimental effect on the stone. The monument was cleaned and restored many times, but tourists coming from all over the world continued to kiss the stone angel. On the 111th anniversary of the death of the poet and writer Oscar Wilde, Paris authorities unveiled the renovated monument. The degreased stone sculpture is now surrounded by a glass barrier designed to keep the writer’s fans at a proper distance.

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