Richard Yates
Richard Yates
================
Full Name and Common Aliases
-----------------------------
Richard Yates (1926-1992) was an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter.
Birth and Death Dates
-----------------------
Yates was born on February 12, 1926, in Woodsville, New Hampshire. He passed away on February 7, 1992, at the age of 65.
Nationality and Profession(s)
-------------------------------
Yates held American nationality and worked as a novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter.
Early Life and Background
---------------------------
Richard Yates grew up in a middle-class family with his parents and two siblings. His father was a businessman who suffered financial losses during the Great Depression, which significantly impacted the family's lifestyle. These experiences influenced Yates' writing style, often focusing on themes of class, social status, and the American Dream.
Yates developed an interest in writing early in life, encouraged by his parents who recognized his talent. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later enrolled at Harvard University, where he studied English literature. During his time at Harvard, Yates became friends with fellow writer John Cheever, which would have a lasting impact on his career.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Novel writing: Yates' most notable novels include _Revolutionary Road_ (1961), _The Easter Parade_ (1976), and _A Special Day for Fran_ (1983).
Short story collection: _Liars in Wait_ (2002) is a posthumously published collection of his short stories.
Screenwriting: Yates collaborated with other writers on screenplays, including _Barefoot in the Park_ (1964), an adaptation of Neil Simon's play.Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
Yates' writing often focused on themes such as:
The American Dream and its illusions
Class divisions and social inequality
Marriage and relationships
His works were known for their nuanced portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, often set against the backdrop of post-World War II America.
Impact and Legacy
----------------------
Richard Yates' writing has had a lasting impact on contemporary literature. His exploration of themes such as class, social status, and the American Dream continues to resonate with readers today.
Yates' influence can be seen in writers like Jonathan Franzen and Jennifer Egan, who have cited him as an inspiration for their work.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
-----------------------------------------
Richard Yates is widely quoted or remembered due to his insightful exploration of the human condition. His writing captured the essence of post-war America, shedding light on themes that continue to be relevant today.
Yates' unique voice and perspective have made him a significant figure in American literature.
Quotes by Richard Yates
And all because, in a sentimentally lonely time long ago, she had found it easy and agreeable to believe whatever this one particular boy felt like saying, and to repay him for that pleasure by telling easy, agreeable lies of her own, until each was saying what the other most wanted to hear...
Everybody’s essentially alone’, she’d told him, and he was beginning to see a lot of truth in that. Besides: now that he was older, and now that he was home, it might not even matter how the story turned out in the end.
Oh, Jesus, it was the loveliest and most terrible thing he’d ever seen; it was the source of the world; and his shame was so immediate that he let the fabric slip back into place after only a second or two.
I’m sure it’s probably a mistake to try and draw your own conclusions from the things you read in books. Who knows?
On their right, in a black marsh, the spring peepers were in full and desperate song.
In avoiding specific goals he had avoided specific limitations. For the time being the world, life itself, could be his chosen field.
She just happened to feel like it. Wasn’t that after all, the only reason there was? Had she ever had a less selfish, more complicated reason for doing anything in her life?