Ouida
Biography of Ouida
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ouida, born as Maria Louise Ramé, was a prolific English novelist who captivated readers with her vivid storytelling and complex characters. She is best known by her pen name, Ouida, a moniker derived from her childhood mispronunciation of her own name.
Birth and Death Dates
Ouida was born on January 1, 1839, in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England. She passed away on January 25, 1908, in Viareggio, Italy, leaving behind a legacy of literary works that continue to be celebrated.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Ouida was of English nationality and made her mark as a novelist and short story writer. Her career spanned several decades during the Victorian era, a period known for its rich literary output.
Early Life and Background
Maria Louise Ramé was born to a French father, Louis Ramé, and an English mother, Susan Sutton. Her upbringing was marked by a blend of cultural influences, which later permeated her writing. From a young age, Ouida exhibited a keen interest in literature and storytelling. Her education was largely informal, but she was an avid reader, absorbing the works of prominent authors of her time. This self-directed learning laid the foundation for her future career as a writer.
Major Accomplishments
Ouida's literary career began in the 1860s, and she quickly gained recognition for her distinctive style and engaging narratives. Her novels often explored themes of romance, adventure, and social issues, resonating with a wide audience. Ouida's ability to craft compelling stories earned her a devoted readership and critical acclaim. She was known for her vivid characterizations and intricate plots, which set her apart from her contemporaries.
Notable Works or Actions
Among Ouida's most celebrated works is the novel "Under Two Flags" (1867), a tale of love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of the French Foreign Legion. This novel, along with others like "A Dog of Flanders" (1872) and "Moths" (1880), solidified her reputation as a master storyteller. "A Dog of Flanders" in particular has endured as a beloved classic, inspiring adaptations in various media. Ouida's works often featured strong, independent characters and explored themes of loyalty, honor, and the human condition.
Impact and Legacy
Ouida's impact on literature extends beyond her storytelling prowess. She was a trailblazer for women in the literary world, challenging societal norms and advocating for social change through her writing. Her novels often critiqued the rigid class structures and gender roles of Victorian society, offering a voice to those marginalized by the status quo. Ouida's influence can be seen in the works of later authors who drew inspiration from her bold narratives and complex characters.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ouida is widely quoted and remembered for her ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. Her quotes often reflect her keen insights into love, society, and the human spirit. Through her writing, Ouida offered readers a window into the complexities of life, encouraging them to question societal norms and embrace their individuality. Her legacy endures not only through her novels but also through the timeless wisdom encapsulated in her words. As a pioneering female author, Ouida's contributions to literature continue to inspire and resonate with readers around the world.
Quotes by Ouida
Ouida's insights on:
It is a kind of blindness – poverty. We can only grope through life when we are poor, hitting and maiming ourselves against every angle.
Experience is an excellent spyglass; but it has this drawback, that Prejudice very often clouds the lens.
What is failure except feebleness? And what is it to miss one’s mark except to aim widely and weakly?
In a few generations more, there will probably be no room at all allowed for animals on the earth: no need of them, no toleration of them. An immense agony will have then ceased, but with it there will also have passed away the last smile of the world’s youth.
There is no more terrible woe upon earth than the woe of the stricken brain, which remembers the days of its strength, the living light of its reason, the sunrise of its proud intelligence, and knows that these have passed away like a tale that is told...
Whatever good I have kept in me – and in the world it is very hard to keep any – I owe it to Ben on those still Sunday mornings in those deep, old, quiet, green woods.
It is hard work to be good when you are very little and very hungry, and have many sticks to beat you, and no mother’s lips to kiss you.
A pipe is a pocket philosopher, – a truer one than Socrates, for it never asks questions. Socrates must have been very tiresome, when one thinks of it.
Coleridge cried; “O God, how glorious it is to live!” Renan asks, “O God, when will it be worth while to live?” In Nature we echo the poet; in the world we echo the thinker.