Allen Wheelis
Allen Wheelis
Full Name and Common Aliases
Allen Wheelis was a renowned American poet, writer, and psychoanalyst. He is also known by his pen name, A.W.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on November 8, 1908, in San Francisco, California, Wheelis passed away on June 27, 2007, at the age of 98.
Nationality and Profession(s)
A citizen of the United States, Allen Wheelis was a poet, writer, and psychoanalyst. His work spanned multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and essays.
Early Life and Background
Allen Wheelis was born to Russian Jewish immigrant parents in San Francisco's vibrant Jewish community. Growing up amidst the city's cultural melting pot had a profound impact on his writing style and worldview. He developed an interest in literature at an early age, which led him to pursue higher education.
Wheelis attended Stanford University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in English Literature. Later, he went on to study psychoanalysis at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, further expanding his intellectual horizons.
Major Accomplishments
Allen Wheelis's literary career was marked by numerous accomplishments:
Poetic Contributions: His poetry collections, such as "The Return" and "The Poet in Exile," showcased his skill with language and form.
Novels and Short Stories: Works like "The Hunter" and "The Man Who Lost Himself" demonstrated his mastery of narrative style.
Essay Collections: Writing on topics ranging from literature to psychoanalysis, Wheelis's essays provided insight into the human condition.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Allen Wheelis include:
"The Return," a poetry collection exploring themes of identity and belonging
"The Poet in Exile," which delves into the life of poet Ezra Pound during World War II
"The Hunter," a novel examining human relationships and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy
Impact and Legacy
Allen Wheelis's writing had a profound impact on readers worldwide, exploring complex themes such as identity, belonging, and the human condition. His unique blend of literary skill and psychoanalytic insight has left a lasting legacy in the world of literature.
His writing continues to inspire new generations of writers, thinkers, and creatives. The quotes from his works are widely used to convey profound ideas and emotions, making him a beloved figure in literary circles.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Allen Wheelis's quotes are often referenced because they offer:
Insight into the Human Condition: His writing provides a nuanced understanding of human relationships, identity, and the complexities of life.
Literary Excellence: His mastery of language and form has made his work a staple in literary studies and analysis.
Overall, Allen Wheelis's life was marked by intellectual curiosity, creative expression, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
Quotes by Allen Wheelis

A man in chains need not be a slave. If he has pride and self-respect he is a free man though a prisoner, and a constant danger to his jailers. Conversely, a slave who escapes is not a free man, but a runaway slave who may be caught and returned to servitude. A slave is one who accepts the identity ascribed to him by a master: “You are an inferior and unworthy person and so will remain, and therefore must serve me with obedience and humility.

Nothing guarantees our freedom. Deny it often enough and one day it will be gone, and we’ll not know how or when.

The spirit of science is not to prejudge, but to give any honest query a fair shake.

Freedom is the awareness of alternatives and of the ability to choose. It is contingent upon consciousness, and so may be gained or lost, extended or diminished.

Desire is endless and unappeasable, is most intense where most forbidden, and is never far from despair.

To know the good is a dangerous thing; to know it for sure is usually fatal for somebody.

We must affirm freedom and responsibility without denying that we are the product of circumstance, and must affirm that we are the product of circumstance without denying that we have the freedom to transcend that causality to become something which could not even have been provisioned from the circumstances which shaped us.

Certainty is not to be had. But as we learn this we become not more moral but more resigned. We become nihilists.

As no designation of good and evil can be absolute, neither can it be fixed; no law which is just now will be forever just, and no political institution designed to secure the good can remain the best means to that good.
