Gertrude Stein: Language as Material

Gertrude Stein was one of a kind. She was a celebrity for being a celebrity, and her reputation as a writer was often left in the background. In some ways, she resembles Oscar Wilde.

How to characterize her writing? It looks like nonsense, all the repetitions, run-ons, and general abuse of standard grammar and syntax. She tore the English language apart and put it back together in her own way. 

Here's a brief bio on her. I find it interesting that the video never delves into the actual fabric of her writing.

For Monday's class, read the following texts and be ready for a heated debate.

If I told him, a completed portrait of Picasso

Composition as Explanation

Essential American Poets (audio)


Also...

Spend about 15-20 browsing through the full-text of her famous book, Tender Buttons. 

Choose one paragraph (section) and type it out verbatim, which means precisely, exactly word for word.

Bring this to class with you. 

Questions: csmith@dcad.edu