Gertrude Stein Biography
Gertrude Stein was the inimitable writer at the forefront of literary modernism in the early 20th century. Although she was an American, ideological and artistic differences with her home country compelled the author to move to France. Further solidifying Stein as an iconoclast was her nearly lifelong relationship with her companion and secretary, Alice B. Toklas. Stylistically, Stein wrote in a stream-of-consciousness manner, a method that attempts to present thoughts as they occur in an uncensored fashion. Poet Judy Grahn has identified six principles at play in one combination or another in Stein’s work: commonality, essence, the “continuous present,” value, play, and transformation. Stein’s most famous and successful work is The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, in which Stein tried to exactly represent the thoughts and feelings of her companion.
Facts and Trivia
- Many famous authors of the twentieth century revered Stein as one of the most original and thought-provoking writers in history. Among her admirers and friends were Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Sherwood Anderson, and Thornton Wilder.
- What is so unique about Stein’s stream-of-consciousness writing style? Here is an example from her book The Making of Americans: “Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them, they are so friendly how can they be so suspicious they are so suspicious how can they be so friendly but they just are.”
- During World War I, Stein and Toklas learned how to drive and risked their own lives delivering medical supplies to French hospitals.
- In 1934, Stein raised a ruckus when someone misinterpreted her sarcastic comments in the New York Times about Hitler: “I say that Hitler ought to have the (Nobel) peace prize, because he is removing all the elements of contest and of struggle from Germany....By suppressing Jews...he was ending struggle in Germany.”
- Stein often had a wry sense of humor. For example, she once said, “I do want to get rich, but I never want to do what there is to do to get rich.”
Biography
Gertrude Stein, born in 1874, emerged as a pivotal figure in the literary and artistic movements of the early 20th century. Her journey from Pennsylvania to the heart of Parisian modernism showcased her intellectual curiosity and innovative spirit. Known for her unorthodox writing style, Stein not only influenced literature but also the lives of many contemporary artists and writers.
Early Life and Education
Gertrude Stein entered the world on February 3, 1874, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, as the youngest of five children born to Jewish-American parents hailing from an upper-middle-class background. Shortly after her birth, Stein's family embarked on European travels for several years before eventually establishing themselves in Oakland, California. Stein shared a profound bond with her brother, Leo, remaining close companions for many years. In 1892, when Leo began his studies at Harvard, Stein followed suit by enrolling in what was then the all-female Harvard annex, later known as Radcliffe College. Her academic path at Radcliffe, significantly shaped by the renowned psychology professor William James, laid the foundation for her intellectual pursuits. James's insights into perception and personality greatly influenced Stein's own theories. Encouraged by his mentorship, she initially pursued a career in psychology. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in 1897, Stein enrolled in the medical program at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore but chose to leave in 1901 before finishing her degree.
The Literary Spark
As time progressed, Stein found herself increasingly absorbed in reading, particularly classic literature. Her literary aspirations took a concrete form in 1903 when she attempted her first novel. This autobiographical work, titled Q.E.D., was inspired by a recent romantic involvement with May Bookstaver. Stein portrayed herself as the logical Adele, with Bookstaver taking on the role of the passionate and unpredictable Helen. Critics often interpret Q.E.D., published posthumously, more as a personal catharsis than a work intended for public readership. The manuscript is seen as laying the groundwork for "Melanctha," where the dynamic between Stein and Bookstaver was transposed into fictional characters Jeff and Melanctha.
Paris, Modernism, and New Beginnings
In the same year, 1903, Stein, along with Leo, chose to settle in Paris, specifically at 27 rue de Fleurus. This apartment became the hub of their burgeoning art collection, featuring pieces by avant-garde painters who were redefining visual art—artists like Pablo Picasso, who developed a particularly close friendship with Stein. Their home soon became known for hosting lively salons that attracted the intellectual and artistic elite of Paris. Inspired by these interactions, Stein audaciously applied similar innovative techniques to her prose, seeking to transform linguistic and conceptual expression. Her work on the manuscript of Three Lives between 1905 and 1906 exemplified this experimental zeal. However, her brother Leo's dismissiveness towards her work led Stein to seek validation and support elsewhere, which she found in her friend, Alice Toklas. Meeting in 1907, Stein invited Toklas to join her in Paris in 1909, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership that Stein described as a marriage. Toklas played a crucial role in supporting Stein's literary endeavors, aiding in manuscript preparation and offering constant encouragement.
Breakthroughs and Challenges
Stein's avant-garde approach initially hampered her entry into the mainstream literary scene. When she first submitted Three Lives , its radical form deterred publishers from taking a chance on the work. Determined, Stein eventually financed the publishing herself in 1909. The book garnered attention, particularly the story "Melanctha," earning Stein a cult following that gradually expanded. By the onset of World War I in 1914, Stein had secured her role as a luminary in the modernist movement. During this period, she produced one of her...
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most enigmatic works, a collection of prose poetry titledTender Buttons.
War, Friendship, and Mentorship
Despite the turmoil of World War I, Stein chose to remain in Paris. Her contributions as a medical supply driver earned her praise, and she developed bonds with American soldiers. The post-war era saw Stein becoming a mentor to a new wave of American expatriate writers, including Ernest Hemingway. Stein encouraged Hemingway's early literary efforts, and he, in turn, facilitated the publication of her ambitious 925-page opus, The Making of Americans, in 1925. During this time, Stein's reputation was bolstered not only by her literary output but also by her influential social circle, leading her publisher to suggest she write The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas in 1933. This work, though less experimental than her previous writings, resonated with a wide audience, becoming a bestseller and establishing Stein as a global figure. Her subsequent lecture tour across American universities in 1934, later published as Lectures in America and Narration in 1935, offered valuable insights into her creative philosophy and became key resources for scholars.
Final Years and Legacy
During World War II, Stein and Toklas chose to stay in Nazi-occupied France, faced with the constant threat of being sent to concentration camps due to their Jewish heritage. However, their lives were safeguarded by French friends with Nazi ties. Stein continued to cultivate a vibrant social and literary presence until her passing from cancer in 1946. In Toklas's memoir, What Is Remembered, she recounts a poignant exchange with Stein near the end of her life: "She said to me early in the afternoon, What is the answer? I was silent. In that case, she said, what is the question?" This anecdote encapsulates Stein's enduring curiosity and philosophical perspective, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and provoke thought.
Criticism by Gertrude Stein
