Good day, readers. Today is January 2nd, the 2nd day of the year 2024, with 364 days remaining.
Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.
Simone de Beauvoir
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1882, Virginia Woolf, an English writer and one of the foremost modernists of the twentieth century, was born. Known for her novels, essays, and diaries, Woolf’s narrative style and pioneering use of stream of consciousness have profoundly influenced the literary landscape. Her works such as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse continue to be celebrated for their insightful exploration of the complexities of human relationships and consciousness.
Notable Birthdays:
Isaac Asimov, born on January 2, 1920, was a Russian-born American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. He was known for his works of science fiction and popular science books, particularly the Foundation series and the Robot series. Asimov’s ability to combine his scientific knowledge with literary creativity made him one of the most prolific and beloved science fiction writers of the 20th century.
Today’s Readings:
From Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: “She always had the feeling that it was very, very dangerous to live even one day.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On January 2, 1839, French photographer Louis Daguerre took the first photograph of the Moon. This event marked a significant achievement in the field of photography and had a lasting impact on the arts, opening new avenues for both artistic expression and scientific documentation.
Poem of the Day:
“Anywhere Out of the World” by Charles Baudelaire (translated from French):
This life is a hospital where every patient is possessed with the desire to change beds;
one man would prefer to suffer in front of the stove,
and another believes he would recover his health beside the window.
It always seems to me that I should be well anywhere but where I am,
and this question of moving is one that I discuss incessantly with my soul.
“Tell me, my soul, poor chilled soul, what do you think of going to live in Lisbon?
It must be warm there, and there you would invigorate yourself like a lizard.
This city is on the seashore; they say that it is built of marble
and that the people there have such a hatred of vegetation
that they uproot all the trees. Here you have a landscape
according to your taste; a landscape made up of light and mineral,
and liquid to reflect them.”
My soul does not reply.
“Since you are so fond of stillness, coupled with the show of movement,
would you like to settle in Holland, that beatifying country?
Perhaps you would find some diversion in a land whose image you have so often admired
in the museums. What do you think of Rotterdam, you who love forests of masts,
and ships moored at the foot of houses?”
My soul remains silent.
“Perhaps Batavia attracts you more? We would find there,
besides, the spirit of Europe married to tropical beauty.”
Not a word. Could my soul be dead?
“Is it then true that you dream only of being buried in the long swell of the Baltic?
Or do you wish to sleep in the softness of the Black Sea? Or perhaps,
beneath the clear cold pike of the Northern stars, you would like
to imitate the calm and indifference of their slow-moving life?”
This poem reflects Baudelaire’s characteristic ennui and his yearning for escape from the dissatisfaction of everyday life, exploring various far-flung locations as possible remedies for his soul’s unrest.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s introspective and innovative style, consider exploring the inner lives of your characters in greater depth. Experiment with different narrative techniques, such as stream of consciousness, to provide a more intimate portrayal of their thoughts and emotions, thereby enriching the reader’s experience.
Have an inspired and productive day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your explorations in writing bring new perspectives and deeper understanding.