Delmore Schwartz
Delmore Schwartz
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Delmore Edgar Schwartz was born on December 8, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents from Poland. His family moved frequently during his childhood, eventually settling in Long Island.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: December 8, 1916
Died: July 11, 1966
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Schwartz was an American poet, short story writer, and novelist. He is often associated with the New York Intellectuals movement of the mid-20th century.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a family that valued education, Schwartz demonstrated exceptional academic talent from an early age. His mother encouraged his love for reading and writing, exposing him to classic literature and poetry. This foundation would later influence his own literary pursuits.
Schwartz attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he began writing seriously and developing his unique style. However, his time at university was marked by personal struggles, including depression and anxiety, which would persist throughout his life.
Major Accomplishments
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Despite facing significant challenges, Schwartz achieved remarkable success in his literary career. Some notable highlights include:
Publication of "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" (1939): This debut collection of poetry marked the beginning of Schwartz's critically acclaimed writing career.
Appointment to the New School for Social Research: In 1946, Schwartz joined the faculty at the New School, where he taught alongside prominent intellectuals and writers.
Publication of "The World Is a Wedding" (1948): This novel showcased Schwartz's mastery of lyrical prose and his ability to capture the complexities of human relationships.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Schwartz's most notable works include:
Poetry collections: In addition to "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities," Schwartz published several other poetry collections, including "A Happy Guy" (1950) and "Summer Knowledge" (1959).
Short stories: Schwartz was a skilled short story writer, publishing numerous pieces in prominent literary magazines.
Novels: In addition to "The World Is a Wedding," Schwartz wrote several other novels, exploring themes of love, family, and identity.
Impact and Legacy
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Delmore Schwartz's impact on American literature is undeniable. His unique voice, lyrical style, and unflinching exploration of the human condition have influenced generations of writers.
Schwartz's work often explored the complexities of modern life, tackling themes such as alienation, anxiety, and the search for meaning. His writing continues to resonate with readers today, offering a powerful critique of societal norms and expectations.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Delmore Schwartz is widely quoted and remembered for his searing insights into the human experience. His writing is characterized by its lyricism, emotional depth, and unflinching honesty. As a result, his work continues to inspire and challenge readers, cementing his place as one of the most important American writers of the 20th century.
Schwartz's legacy extends beyond his literary achievements, however. He was a passionate advocate for social justice and a vocal critic of conformity and oppression. His commitment to artistic expression and intellectual freedom has made him a beloved figure in the world of literature.
Quotes by Delmore Schwartz
Is it not clear that a reviewer’s psyche, like an iceberg, is seven-eighths beneath the surface?
In this our life there are no beginnings but only departures entitled beginnings, wreathed in the formal emotions thought to be appropriate and often forced. Darkly rises each moment from the life which has been lived and which does not die, for each event lives in the heavy head forever, waiting to renew itself.
At the moment I’m so exhausted that I feel like cutting my throat, so the next news masy well be that I am across the river and under the trees: what is the meaning and purpose of life? Death.
Literature doesn’t matter! The only thing that matters is money and getting your teeth fixed!
I should like you to consider this letter as a resignation; I want to resign as one of your most studious and faithful admirers.
O your life, your lonely lifeWhat have you ever done with it,And done with the great gift of consciousness?What will you ever do before Death's knifeProvides the answer ultimate and appropriate?As I for my part felt in my heart as one who falls,Falls in a parachute, falls endlessly, and feels the vastDraft of the abyss sucking him down and down,An endlessly helplessly falling and appalled clown:This is the way the night passes by, thisIs the overnight endless trip to the famous unfathomable abyss.
And hence the poet must seek to be essentially anonymous, He must die a little death each morning, He must swallow his toad and study his vomit as Baudelaire studied la charogne of Jeanne Duval.