Colm Tуibнn Essay, Research Paper
The art of loss Love in a Dark Time: Gay Lives from Wilde to Almodуvar Colm Tуibнn 288pp, Picador In the introduction to this perceptive collection of essays, Colm Tуibнn admits to an “abiding fascination with sadness…and, indeed, tragedy”. It should be stressed that this is a sympathetic fascination, not a morbid or mawkish one, as his brief accounts of the painful lives of Elizabeth Bishop and James Baldwin – two of the best pieces here – testify. The calm surface of Bishop’s poetry gives little indication that her life was every bit as troubled as Robert Lowell’s or John Berryman’s. That calmness, Tуibнn suggests, was her slow and steady artistic triumph over such familiar demons as emotional insecurity and alcoholism. In his expanded review of One Art , the selection from her vast correspondence edited by her friend and publisher Robert Giroux, he remarks on her “fierce simplicity” and continues: “The search for pure accuracy in her poems forced her to watch the world helplessly, as though there were nothing she could do. The statements she made in her poems seem always distilled, put down on the page – despite the simplicity and the tone of casual directness – only with great difficulty.” It is clear from her wonderful letters that she was intrigued by other people and had no truck with openly confessional poetry. Tуibнn quotes from the cautionary missive she sent her friend Robert Lowell on discovering that he had transformed the letters written by his estranged wife, Elizabeth Hardwick, into sonnets in his book, The Dolphin . “That is ‘infinite mischief’, I think…one can use one’s life as material – one does, anyway – but these letters – aren’t you violating a trust? If you were given permission – if you hadn’t changed them…But art just isn’t worth that much.” Bishop was writing from bitter experience, since three years earlier, her great love, Lota Costellat de Macedo Soares, which whom she had lived for a blissful decade in Brazil, had committed suicide in New York, while another lover had endured a massive breakdown. You don’t have to be aware of these facts to appreciate her beautiful villanelle “One Art”, with its repeated mordant line “The art of losing isn’t hard to master.” Tуibнn obviously loves Bishop’s poetry, just as he loves the early fiction of James Baldwin. Of Go Tell It on the Mountain he writes: “The subject is the flesh itself and sexual longing, and how close to treachery lies desire, how the truth of the body differs from the lies of the mind. Like other gay writers, Baldwin could take nothing for granted.” The book came out in 1953 and was well received. Two years later, he offered his American publisher, Knopf, Giovanni’s Room , which is concerned with a gay – and white – love affair in Paris. The novel was firmly declined. Even his agent advised him to burn it. It was first published in London, by Michael Joseph. Being black and gay and an imaginative writer was the triple burden he had to bear in that especially dark time. Writing wasn’t enough for Baldwin; he craved justice, too. His passionate involvement in the civil rights movement, Tуibнn believes, damaged his talent and blunted his wit. Not all his brothers and sisters in the fight for freedom welcomed his presence at meetings and demonstrations. Eldridge Cleaver, in particular, held the pretty murky view that black homosexuals suffered from a sickness induced by frustration at not being able to bear babies by white men. It says much for Baldwin’s graciousness that he did his best to ignore or forget this ludicrous insult. What Tуibнn admires about the painter Francis Bacon is his life-long refusal to play the role of “tragic queer”. He is properly scathing about the three biographies that appeared, with indecent haste, after Bacon’s death – by Andrew Sinclair (scissors and paste), Michael Peppiatt (dull when it isn’t prurient) and Daniel Farson (a hotchpotch of sexual tittle-tattle). “It is one of the problems of biography that it seeks out the colourful and the dramatic at the expense of the ordinary and true,” Tуibнn observes. Bacon’s relationship with George Dyer wasn’t all gloom and drunken doom – at least, not in the beginning. Tуibнn prefers to look at the paintings, with apt quotations from Bacon’s conversations with David Sylvester, Michel Archimbaud and the shrewdly observant John Russell. He reminds us how hard Bacon worked, and that the real danger he had to cope with was that of repeating himself and burning himself out. This is more interesting, though less amusing, than his remark – which was intended to be heard by the posh women seated nearby – that he wanted to be buggered by Colonel Gadafy. Tуibнn sees Thomas Mann as another victim of his biographers, two of whom disliked him heartily. Well, he isn’t lovable, this great novelist who sublimated his homosexual desires at his desk. A kiss was as far as he ever got with any of the increasingly younger men he became besotted with. Life in the Mann household makes the goings-on in the House of Atreus seem almost recreational. Mann must have enjoyed the torments of romantic obsession, for he fell in love in his 70s with a youth of 17. Tуibнn’s other subjects are Oscar Wilde, Roger Casement, the poets Thom Gunn and Mark Doty, and the film director Pedro Almodуvar. This last, a reprinted article from Vanity Fair , is the one really weak chapter in this otherwise fine and thoughtful book. One wants to know more about this man who thrives in an atmosphere of chaos. Tуibнn, for once, provides only a sketch, instead of the customary rounded portrait. Paul Bailey’s most recent book isThree Queer Lives (Hamish Hamilton).
36d
Другие работы по теме:
The Different Shades Of Love Essay Research
Paper In Silas Marner by George Eliot, she wrote of Silas Marner’s different changes of love. In the beginning of the book, he focused his love on the lady who had captured his heart but then it turned to money. As the story ends, he found true love in his daughter Eppie. She greatly displayed how love can change from greed to the true, eternal love.
Thomaas Edison Essay Research Paper Dear DadI
Thomaas Edison Essay, Research Paper Dear Dad, I have taken your request for a Christmas list to heart and have decided to get right on top of it. So this is my Christmas list, hope you enjoy shopping for me.
Of Love Essay Research Paper Of LoveFeeble
Of Love Essay, Research Paper Of Love Feeble I, sick of life, stranded, in the youth of sins Went down the abyss of sorrow’s sea like a fish with no fins, Deeper into dark, not a thing to see, to the land of no return
My Darling Clementine
– The Effects Of Noir Essay, Research Paper My Darling Clementine to me didn’t stick out as a particularly dark movie. I will agree that there were a lot of dark scenes in it but not enough to distract me toward the idea of this being a particularly dark film as a whole. However the dark noir lighting style that was used to bring the night scenes to life certainly added something to it.
Spin Drift Essay Research Paper SpindriftA Critical
Spin Drift Essay, Research Paper Spindrift A Critical Review I visited the Currier Gallery of Art and I truly enjoyed myself. I had never been to an Art Gallery and only had the impression that I had received through the movies. It was as I pictured it to be, and I would go their or another gallery again. The Currier Gallery had some outstanding pieces of art, they had everything thing from giant wall paintings to small wall paintings and giant sculptures to small sculptures.
Sir Phillip Sidney
’s Sonnet # 47 From Astrophil And Stella Essay, Research Paper Sir Phillip Sidney’s Sonnet # 47 from Astrophil and Stella The sonnet is a short concise form of writing and it takes a great mind to master it. By mastering it, I mean to be able to say so much in what seems like so little space. Sir Phillip Sidney comes as close to mastering it as anyone else in his time or any other does.
Fare Well To Arms Essay Research Paper
The World All Unreal in the Dark Escapism is a character’s way of trying to abandon something that discourages or frightens that character. Escapism is a form of betrayal and can often be described as a manner of deserting the fears of the character. When a character does not face his fears, it is likely that the character will look for a way to escape their troubles.
Appraising My Test Taking Skills Essay Research
Paper The advantages of my test taking skills are effectiveness,organization, and good review tools. Thus, the disadvantages are manageable review time and strategy planning. I find myself mostly “stuck” on planning a strategy.
Forever (Time
& Love) Essay, Research Paper Forever Love is not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickles compass come Love alters not with his brief hours of weeks
Synopsis Of The Great Gatsby Essay Research
Paper Synopsis of The Great Gatsby Review The review that I read by Charles E. Shain said that gatsby was no more great the any other man of his time. The reason for this is that Gatsby was trying to live in the past, to try to recapture what he once had. Sure he had very much money, ?gonnections?, and many acquaintances, but this does not make a man great.
Imagery Trace Light Dark Essay Research Paper
Throughout The Children of Men, there were various significant images, one of which was light/dark contrast. James used light/dark contrast throughout the entire book to set the scene and to outline important events. The light was used to show peace, especially with the females that Theo was attached to.
Love Theme Essay Research Paper They say
Love Theme Essay, Research Paper They say to love is a beautiful thing They say to love is work, but is worth it. Alas, they say to love is to be eternally happy. But who exactly is ?they??
The Use Of The Word Love Essay
, Research Paper Six months after I met a young man, he expressed to me how much he loved me. Being sixteen years old, I thought it to be very flattering but I could not accept him saying this
Poetry Unchanging Love Essay Research Paper Love
Poetry: Unchanging Love Essay, Research Paper Love is a very powerful word. It is that feeling inside that warms every heart. It is what brings people closer together. It is what everyone is searching for. If this love is true, it will live on. William Shakespeare makes this very clear in his Sonnet 116. The physical body will decay, but as long as love is loyal and persevering, it will live on forever.
Do You Want My Love Essay Research
Paper *Do You Want My Love? Do you want my love Can you make me sweat Do you want it bad enough to make it soaking wet Do you want my love Show me just how much tell me baby
How Do I Love Thee Essay Research
Paper Regina Morn English 1023 11.13.2000 ?How Do I love The Let Me Count The Ways? Do you believe in everlasting love?. Elizabeth Barrette Browning a great
Romance And Love Essay Research Paper Romance
Romance And Love Essay, Research Paper Romance and LoveWhen I was assigned this topic to write about, I immediately thought of Eros. The ancient Greek word that describes the romantic side of love. Philos andAgape are really more spiritual in nature, but Eros, now that’s a physical love.I envision Eros as the sweaty fumbling in the back of old Chevrolets, and thefirelit evenings where everything seems to go just right and the sex is perfect,And even in the dark, rent by the hour hotel rooms where men and womenwith no names briefly join and then quickly part, never knowing the otherpersons name.
Romance Essay Research Paper Romance and Love
Romance Essay, Research Paper Romance and Love; an essay When I was assigned this topic to write about, I immediately thought of Eros. The ancient Greek word that describes the romantic side of love. Philos and Agape are really more spiritual in nature, but Eros, now that’s a physical love. I envision Eros as the sweaty fumbling in the back of old Chevrolets, and the firelit evenings where everything seems to go just right and the sex is perfect, And even in the dark, rent by the hour hotel rooms where men and women with no names briefly join and then quickly part, never knowing the other persons name.
Annabel Lee Essay Research Paper Edgar Allen
Annabel Lee Essay, Research Paper Edgar Allen Poe s “Annabel Lee” is a tale of mourning and lost love. Written beautifully and eloquently one can almost forget what the poem is actually saying. “Annabel Lee” is, at best, dark and depressing. But the first time it is read, and the second time, and the third time, for a few people, it is still proclaimed to be “pretty”.
Love Is Like A Rose Essay Research
Paper LOVE IS LIKE A ROSE Some compare love to all kinds of things. I say, “love is like a rose”. Foremost, a rose symbolizes loveliness, which stems from love. The rose is the most beautiful of all flowers and love is the most precious emotion. A rose commences from a tiny rosebud into an unexplainable beauty, an undiminished rose.
Love Can
’t Be Simply Put Essay, Research Paper The famous Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you would be loved, love and be lovable.” But what is love, it can be defined by the Webster’s dictionary as a “profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.”
I Love You Essay Research Paper I
I Love You Essay, Research Paper I Love the way you hold me, When I have no one to turn to. I love how you always convince me Your love is so true. I love the way you make me laugh
LoveWhat Is It Essay Research Paper Love
Love:What Is It? Essay, Research Paper Love: What is it? To many people love means many things. To others, to love is to place their happiness in one another. Love can be how they feel about that special someone. I’m not talking about the fatherly love or that motherly love. I’m talking about the love that you feel towards someone.
Review Of Reviews Essay Research Paper I
Review Of Reviews Essay, Research Paper I chose to review John Updike?s Review ?It Was Sad? from the October 14th issue of ?The New Yorker?. In the review, Updike examines
Engrave New Footprints In The Sand Essay
, Research Paper There were two strolling hearts that reposed on a huge rock at a near shore. As the sunset revealed its passion, they watched over the two sets of footprints they engraved in the sand. The scene had made them thought of eternity..two becoming one. There was heaven in their hearts and each step engraved a zeal of an endless love.
Poem Explication Of As I Walked
Out One Even Essay, Research Paper The poem As I Walked Out One Evening by W.H. Auden is comprised mostly of a conversation between A Lover and Time. While the Lover believes that his love will never end or fade, Time is determined to show him how love can be worn down and exhausted throughout a lifetime until there is nearly nothing left.The Lover: The lover believes, as his first words state, that love has no ending.
Film Review The Money Pit Essay Research
Paper Film Review (The Money Pit) The Money Pit is a love comedy directed by Richard Benjamin in 1986. This movie was performed humorously by Tom Hanks who usually perform comedy. The movies he has performed before were The Man with One Red Shoe, Splash, Bachlor and etc.
Poem The Way Love Works Essay Research
Paper Some say it’s simple some say you just know some say it’s hard I don’t think so Love isn’t tricky it’s really quite bold it’s when you see your love and your stomach just folds
PLATONIC IDEALS OF LOVE Essay Research Paper
SHAKESPEARE’S SONNET 116 AND SONNET 130 BOTH DESCRIBE LOVE IN DIFFERENT WAYS BUT BOTH SHOW THE IDEALS OF PLATONIC LOVE. THE THREE STAGES OF PLATONIC LOVE IS THE LOVE OF BODY, THE LOVE OF MIND AND THE LOVE OF SOUL.
Poem Alone In This World Essay Research
Paper Alone in this world…. I am scared and sad I have no where to go, where I am cared for Alone in this world… I wonder alone Through the dark and cold streets
The Meaning Of Love Essay Research Paper
THE MEANING OF LOVE Love is just a four-letter word with so many meanings behind it. In other words the definition for love is endless? So what is love and do we
Romeo And Juliet 6 Essay Research Paper
Romeo & Juliet In the novel Romeo and Juliet, Romeo shows two different kinds of love depending on before and after he meets Juliet. Before Romeo falls in love with Juliet he lives a life of sadness.