As can be seen in individual personalities, it seems very appropriate to make a distinction in literature between authors whose spirit is inclined toward knowledge and authors whose spirit is inclined toward pleasure. Poetry, more than other genres, shows that these are very different types, in which the years bring about different transformations, so that, for the former, the work seems to be much more dependent on this evolution. Thus, the tendency is for the former to produce their best work at the end, with their early books taking on a somewhat preparatory character, of greater interest to the biographer than to the ordinary reader. For the latter, it is not uncommon for maturity to spoil that youthful verve on which their best compositions depend.
Tag: literature
Linguistic Decorum and Literary Decorum
Linguistic decorum and literary decorum are different things, although superficially they can be confused. But when analyzed closely, it becomes clear that some authors display a strong manifestation of the former, the latter, both, or neither. And in each specific case, much about the author is revealed by whether or not he possesses them. Taking literature as a whole, which encompasses both good and terrible authors, the most common thing is that a lack of literary decorum is evidence of a lack of culture; however, the same cannot be said for linguistic decorum. What is said and what is represented are two different things, with language being merely an instrument of the latter, which can be employed with greater or lesser intensity, depending on the need and intention. Linguistically, there are impulses that call for extreme expressions; otherwise, a fair representation will not be achieved. But the essence of every work precedes language, and it is only in this essence that the degree of refinement of an author can be measured.
Hermann Hesse Is a Model Writer
Hermann Hesse is a model writer. It is a pity that he is such a rare example, whose pages never waste the reader’s time. When reading him, one gets the feeling that the subject matter is always important, the artistic motivation always genuine; and even in those moments when the author allows himself to fly into more nebulous and uncertain areas, as he does in Demian, one realizes that the intention is none other than to artistically express real experiences. Sometimes, he also tackles themes that are not his favorites, but are necessary themes, and which give his work that important breadth that shows that the author was not blind to the bigger picture of life. Reading him is always a great pleasure!
I Translated Dozens of Short Stories…
I translated dozens of short stories into English this past year. And contrary to what I imagined, I enjoyed the time-consuming work, even though I was constantly faced with the inadequacy of translation. It was curious to laugh during the process, something that contrasts sharply with my mood when giving birth to those texts. I remember it well… After immersing myself in the creative process, the prevailing feeling was quite different. There is something indescribable that one experiences when giving birth to a work, while facing the difficulties of the task. Now, all that is in the past. I can remember it and relive it with a serene detachment, and laugh at the result of such intense distress.