Good day, readers. Today is January 14th, the 14th day of the year 2024, with 352 days remaining.
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
Arthur C. Clarke
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1896, John Dos Passos, an influential American novelist and social critic, was born. Known for his groundbreaking narrative techniques in the U.S.A. trilogy, Dos Passos’s work intricately explores the American experience, blending multiple perspectives to create a comprehensive and dynamic portrait of societal changes across the early 20th century.
Notable Birthdays:
Yukio Mishima (January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970), a Japanese author, playwright, and poet known for his avant-garde and controversial works, was born on this day. His novels, such as The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, continue to provoke thought on the conflicts between traditional Japanese values and modernity.
Today’s Readings:
From Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos: “He saw the skyscrapers rise in the window like stalks of wheat and the river was a wash of molten gold. He was part of the city.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On January 14, 1784, the United States ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. This historic event has been the subject of many literary analyses and historical novels that delve into the implications of America’s newfound independence.
Poem of the Day:
“Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens:
I placed a jar in Tennessee,
And round it was, upon a hill.
It made the slovenly wilderness
Surround that hill.
The wilderness rose up to it,
And sprawled around, no longer wild.
The jar was round upon the ground
And tall and of a port in air.
It took dominion everywhere.
The jar was gray and bare.
It did not give of bird or bush,
Like nothing else in Tennessee.
This minimalist poem uses the image of a jar to explore themes of human imposition on nature and the transformative power of simple acts. Stevens’s stark contrast between the man-made object and its natural surroundings prompts reflection on our interactions with the environment.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by John Dos Passos’s innovative narrative techniques, consider experimenting with different storytelling methods in your own writing. Using varied perspectives, stream of consciousness, or non-linear timelines can add depth to your narrative and provide readers with a more immersive experience.
Have a thought-provoking and creative day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your explorations in writing push the boundaries of the known and venture into new territories of expression.