Author: admin

Platitude

Definition of a Platitude Platitude is a statement that’s repetitive, obvious, overly simple, and lacks depth or meaning. The term “platitude” has its roots in the French language, where “plat” and “tude” combine to mean “flatness.” Over time, its figurative…

Betty Smith

Early Life Betty Smith is one of the influential American figures in the literary world. She was born Elisabeth Lillian Wehner on the 15th of December in 1896, in Brooklyn, New York, the United States. She was an intelligent daughter…

William Faulkner

Early Life William Faulkner, the renowned American author, was born on September 25, 1897, in Mississippi. His father, Murry Cuthbert Falkner, was a businessman, and his mother, Maud Butler, was a homemaker. After his birth, the family relocated to Ripley,…

Frank Herbert

Early Life Frank Herbert, the renowned American writer, educator, and journalist, came into the world on October 8, 1920, in Washington, USA. Born to Frank Patrick Herbert Sr. and Eileen Herbert, his love for books bloomed early. Yet, a nurturing…

Edith Wharton

Early Life Edith Wharton was born on January 24, 1862, in New York City. She had a privileged upbringing with her father, George Frederic Jones, and mother, Lucretia Stevens. Edith is from a wealthy and well-connected family, who had good…

Alexander Hamilton

Early Life Alexander Hamilton was one of the leading American figures and one of the founding fathers. He was born on the 11th of January in 1757 in Charlestown. Alexander was a bright son of James A. Hamilton, a drifting…

Tom Stoppard

Early Life Tom Stoppard, the celebrated British writer, was born on July 3, 1937, in Czechoslovakia. His father, Eugen Straussler, was a doctor, and his mother, Martha Becková, was a homemaker. He spent his formative years in Zlín, but due…

Old Photographs

Old Photographs By Gabeba Baderoon On my desk is a photograph of you taken by the woman who loved you then. In some photos her shadow falls in the foreground. In this one, her body is not that far from…

Autumn Song

Autumn Song  By W. H. Auden Now the leaves are falling fast, Nurse’s flowers will not last, Nurses to their graves are gone, But the prams go rolling on. Whispering neighbours left and right Daunt us from our true delight,…

Possibilities

Possibilities By Wislawa Szymborska I prefer movies. I prefer cats. I prefer the oaks along the Warta. I prefer Dickens to Dostoyevsky. I prefer myself liking people to myself loving mankind. I prefer keeping a needle and thread on hand,…

Wodwo

Wodwo By Ted Hughes What am I? Nosing here, turning leaves over Following a faint stain on the air to the river’s edge I enter water. Who am I to split The glassy grain of water looking upward I see…

Clark Street Bridge

Clark Street Bridge By Carl Sandburg Dust of the feet And dust of the wheels, Wagons and people going, All day feet and wheels. Now. . . . . Only stars and mist A lonely policeman, Two cabaret dancers, Stars…

Burning the Old Year

Burning the Old Year By Naomi Shihab Nye Letters swallow themselves in seconds. Notes friends tied to the doorknob, transparent scarlet paper, sizzle like moth wings, marry the air. So much of any year is flammable, lists of vegetables, partial…

Richard Adams

Early Life Richard Adams or Richard George Adams, a renowned English writer, came into the world on May 9, 1920, in Berkshire, England. His father, Evelyn George Beadon Adams, was a doctor, and his mother, Lillian Rosa, took care of…

Van Gogh’s Bed

Van Gogh’s Bed By Jane Flanders is orange, like Cinderella’s coach, like the sun when he looked it straight in the eye. is narrow, he sleeps alone, tossing between two pillows, while it carried him bumpily to the ball. is…

The Villain

The Villain By William Henry Davies While joy gave clouds the light of stars, That beamed wher’er they looked; And calves and lambs had tottering knees, Excited, while they sucked; While every bird enjoyed his song, Without one thought of…

Pejorative

Definition of Pejorative Pejorative, a term indicating disapproval or contempt, is language used negatively to evoke unfavorable feelings. Writers utilize it to criticize or convey hostility, often employing slurs or negative phrases. It serves to denounce or express disapproval of…

Harold Bloom

Early Life Harold Bloom, who is considered one of the most renowned literary critics of our era, was born on July 11th, 1930 in New York City. Harold, the son of William Bloom who worked in a garment factory and…

Art Spiegelman

Early Life Art Spiegelman was born on the 15th of February in 1948 in Stockholm, Sweden. He is a renowned American novelist, cartoonist, and editor. Art’s parents were Władysław Spiegelman, a Polish Jew, and his mother, Andzia, was a housewife.…

Alexandre Dumas

Early Life Alexandre Dumas, one of the prominent French writers, was born on the 24th of July in 1802 in Villers-Cotterêts, France. Alexandre was born to Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a French general, and Élisabeth Labouret, a homemaker. Unfortunately, his father died…