Gertrude Stein's Difficult Work

It is probably not a coincidence that Stein's Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (1933) was her only bestseller. The narrative, syntax, and language follow more or less a standard style of writing in English. The sentences have a linear drive: one sentence leads to the next, and the story has definite plots, characters, and settings. 

The vast majority of her other writing, however, caused howls from critics and praise from young experimental artists. She was accused of writing gibberish or nonsense. The insufferable repetition! Some people, even to this day, think her writing was so bad and unreadable that it must be some kind of hoax or joke: Washington Post Review.

ASSIGNMENT

For our next class meeting, Wednesday, September 15, read and be prepared to discuss these four texts:

Composition as Explanation 

Matisse 

If I Told Him: A Completed Portrait of Picasso

JStor Academic Essay about Stein's "Picasso" and "Matisse"

PS: The JStor article is longish. Notice how Ulla Heselstein makes a critical and nuanced reading of Stein's texts. Give yourself enough time to read the entire article (45-60 minutes?).

Bonus Quiz: Are You a Picasso or a Matisse?