Good day, readers. Today is June 14th, the 166th day of the year 2024, with 200 days remaining.
Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.
Plato
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1811, Harriet Beecher Stowe, the American author and abolitionist whose novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin energized anti-slavery forces in the American North, was born. Stowe’s work remains a pivotal piece in the genre of social protest literature and is credited with helping to advance the abolitionist cause.
Notable Birthdays:
Jerzy Kosiński, born on June 14, 1933, was a Polish-American novelist known for his controversial novels, particularly The Painted Bird and Being There. His works explore complex themes of identity, social disintegration, and the arbitrary nature of destiny, often through a darkly satirical lens.
Today’s Readings:
From Les Misérables by Victor Hugo: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 14th, 1982, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial premiered in the United States. This film not only became a monumental success in cinema but also inspired a range of literary adaptations and prompted discussions about humanity, empathy, and the universe.
Poem of the Day:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
This poem by Emily Dickinson, with its metaphor of hope as a bird that sings tirelessly within the human soul, offers an uplifting message about resilience and enduring optimism, regardless of the circumstances.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s ability to influence societal views through literature, consider how your writing can address or challenge current social issues. Think about the power of storytelling to effect change and how you can use your voice to illuminate, persuade, or provoke thought in your readers.
Wishing you a day of inspirational reading and transformative writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary encounters be as enlightening as they are engaging.