Born on February 27th 1902 in Salinas, California, American author John Steinbeck published sixteen novels throughout his lifetime and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. The rich cultural diversity and migratory history of the Salinas Valley distinctly influenced his work as did his experiences struggling to make ends meet during the GreatContinue reading “John Steinbeck: Great Man of Letters”
Category Archives: Literature
The Transatlantic Literature of Henry James
Born on April 15th 1843, American author Henry James was regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists of the English language. James is one of the major figures of trans-Atlantic literature. His works frequently juxtapose characters from the Old World, embodying a feudal civilization that is “beautiful, oftenContinue reading “The Transatlantic Literature of Henry James”
Celebrating Black History Month and African American Literary Achievements.
Initially proposed by a group of African American educators at Kent State University in February of 1969, Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford as a month of national observance in 1970 during the United States Bicentennial where he urged American citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments ofContinue reading “Celebrating Black History Month and African American Literary Achievements.”
The Enduring Words and Actions of Victor Hugo
Romantic French author, Victor Hugo is widely known for his novels, Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. He was born in France in 1802 and traveled around Europe at a young age because of his father’s job as a major in Napoleon’s army. His mother, a strong royalist, opposed much of his father’s political opinionsContinue reading “The Enduring Words and Actions of Victor Hugo”
Joseph Conrad: Legends of the Sea
[one_full last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Joseph Conrad is considered one of the most influential English writers of the 19th century, inspiring great American authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, and Virginia Woolf with hisContinue reading “Joseph Conrad: Legends of the Sea”
To Kill a Mockingbird First Edition Issue Points
As most people know, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best-loved classics of all time. It has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than forty million copies worldwide. In 1962 it was also made into the film starring Gregory Peck, which won three Academy Awards. Therefore,Continue reading “To Kill a Mockingbird First Edition Issue Points”
The Works and Philosophy of Ayn Rand
[fusion_text]Ayn Rand wrote in her most famous work, Atlas Shrugged, “My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” This quote aptly defines Rand’s philosophy which sheContinue reading “The Works and Philosophy of Ayn Rand”
Nobel Prize Laureates in Literature
[fusion_text] Awarded annually since 1901, The Nobel Prize in Literature is given to any author “in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction” (Alfred Nobel). One of five Nobel Prizes established by Alfred Nobel and awarded by the Swedish Academy, laureates of the Nobel Prize in Literature include William Faulkner, Albert Camus, ErnestContinue reading “Nobel Prize Laureates in Literature”
Leo Tolstoy: Russian Literary Icon
[fusion_text] Leo Tolstoy was a leader in realist fiction in the late nineteenth century and is still considered one of the greatest authors to come out of that era. Born in Russia in 1828, Tolstoy suffered the loss of both his parents at a young age but would later turn those memories into a publishedContinue reading “Leo Tolstoy: Russian Literary Icon”
George Orwell: Journalist and Satirist
[fusion_text] Born Eric Arthur Blair, George Orwell colored the twentieth century with essays, articles, and novels that explore issues of social justice and political awareness. His work turned the thoughts of the public to the lower-class citizen, the plight of the poor and oppressed, and the dangers of a totalitarian system. For decades readers haveContinue reading “George Orwell: Journalist and Satirist”