Elizabeth Bishop and Alice Methfessel: The Love Story Behind the Poem "One Art"
By
Maria Popova
Summary
The article tells the love story between renowned poet Elizabeth Bishop and Alice Methfessel, a younger woman who worked as a secretary at Harvard. It explores how their unlikely relationship unfolded against the backdrop of Bishop's literary fame and personal history, and connects to the themes of loss and love found in Bishop's poetry, particularly her famous poem "One Art."
Source
bskyElizabeth Bishop and Alice Methfessel: The Love Story Behind the Poem "One Art"themarginalian.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledYou wouldn't have bet on it, the frail famous poet teaching at Harvard as a visiting professor and the athletic secretary of the campus residence half her age.
But every great love exists against probability, belongs to that region of the universe where the wildest bet may be the winning bet.
The art of losing isn't hard to master; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster.
You might also wanna read
La mèche de cheveux d'un poète mort en 1850 proposée comme presse-papiers
Exhibition — the uneasy boundary between art, identity and class
ft.trib.al·13d ago
'The Other Bennet Sister' Creator Sarah Quintrell on the Viral Bird-Calling Scene and Crafting Mary's Romance
An interview with "The Other Bennet Sister" creator Sarah Quintrell about the viral bird-calling scene in Episode 8, which serves as a pivot
IndieWire·27d ago
Alice Notley on Poetry, Grief, and the Writing Life: An Interview
An interview with acclaimed poet Alice Notley, conducted in her Paris apartment. The piece explores her life, creative process, and views on
theparisreview.org·10d ago
How a Begonia Plant Led Emma Freud to Discover Sigmund Freud's Gardening Passion
Emma Freud receives a begonia plant as a thank-you gift from a filmmaker, which leads her on a personal journey to discover her great-grandf
observer.co.uk·5mo ago
Gillian Ayres Remembered: A Personal Tribute to the Abstract Painter's Life and Art
A personal and reflective tribute to the late British abstract painter Gillian Ayres, written by art critic Sue Hubbard. The piece recounts
artlyst.com·19h ago
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.