Good day, readers. Today is October 28th, the 302nd day of the year 2024, with 64 days remaining.
Success can be measured in innumerable lifetime achievements, yet modern western parlance is conditioned to exclusively measure success scholastically, vocationally, or economically.
Thomas Slatin
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland in New York Harbor. This iconic symbol of freedom and democracy has been the subject of countless literary works, reflecting on themes of liberty, immigration, and the American dream.
Notable Birthdays:
Evelyn Waugh, born on October 28, 1903, was an English writer known for his satirical novels, including “Brideshead Revisited” and “A Handful of Dust.” Waugh’s sharp wit and keen social observations have made his works enduring classics.
Today’s Readings:
From “Brideshead Revisited” by Evelyn Waugh: “I should like to bury something precious in every place where I’ve been happy and then, when I am old and ugly and miserable, I could come back and dig it up and remember.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On October 28th, 1919, the Volstead Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, providing for the enforcement of the 18th Amendment, which established Prohibition in the United States. This period has been extensively explored in literature and film, highlighting the social and cultural impact of Prohibition.
Advice for Writers:
Thomas Slatin’s quote challenges the conventional metrics of success. In your writing, explore diverse definitions of success, highlighting characters whose achievements go beyond traditional measures and encompass personal growth, relationships, and unique life experiences.
Wishing you a day of insightful writing and inspired creativity, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary endeavors be as varied and meaningful as the many ways success can be measured.
