Gertrude Stein

                                    

                                           Coined the term the "Lost Generation"

Bio:

Gertrude Stein was born in Pennsylvania on February 3, 1874, and a daughter to a wealthy merchant. Stein often went on family vacations to Europe, and eventually found her way to California, where she graduated college from in a degree in Psychology. Stein moved to Paris in 1903 to be with her brother, Leo, and they collected and sold artworks like paintings. Stein had always written pieces of work but took writing seriously during and after WWI. She was an inspiration and hostess to many American "Lost Generation" authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. She stayed in Paris during WWII, and eventually died in Paris on July 24, 1944. Stein too wasn't sympathetic to American patriotism, and challenged the country's society and government. Stein often wrote about homosexuality and wrote a book about romantic lesbian affairs involving several of Stein's own friends. She was a lesbian and her partner was Alice B. Toklas, the person who inspired to write The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. 

Famous Works:

-Tender Buttons

-Three Lives

-The Making of Americans

-Paris France

-The World is Round

-The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas

Analysis:

I decided to analyze Gertrude Stein's book Tender Buttons, which is a collection of poems that Stein wrote. Divided into 3 subjects Objects, Food, and Rooms; Stein describes everyday things that we don't take time to notice, and describes them in a in-depth and strange manner. The book is definitely an experimental piece, that seems like something she wrote more for the fun of it rather than trying to accomplish anything, or send a message. I enjoy this book because, of the lenient order the chapters are set up in, and the strange comparisons she make with everyday materials. 

Miscellaneous:  

Tender Buttons (1914) - Objects 

DIRT AND NOT COPPER. 

Dirt and not copper makes a color darker. It makes the shape so heavy and makes no melody harder. 

It makes mercy and relaxation and even a strength to spread a table fuller. There are more places not empty. They see cover. 

"Gertrude Stein" painted by Pablo Picasso