Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber: A Literary Luminary
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Edna Ferber
Common Aliases: None
Birth and Death Dates
Born: August 15, 1885
Died: April 16, 1968
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession(s): Novelist, Short Story Writer, Playwright
Early Life and Background
Edna Ferber was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to a Jewish family of Hungarian and German descent. Her father, Jacob Charles Ferber, was a storekeeper, and her mother, Julia Neumann Ferber, was a homemaker. The family moved frequently during Edna's childhood, eventually settling in Appleton, Wisconsin. This transient lifestyle exposed Ferber to a variety of American cultures and communities, which would later influence her writing.
Ferber faced adversity early in life, including her father's blindness and the family's financial struggles. Despite these challenges, she excelled academically and graduated from high school in Appleton. Her passion for writing was evident from a young age, and she pursued journalism, working as a reporter for the Appleton Daily Crescent and later the Milwaukee Journal. These experiences honed her skills in observation and storytelling, laying the groundwork for her future literary career.
Major Accomplishments
Edna Ferber's career was marked by numerous accomplishments that solidified her status as a prominent American author. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1925 for her novel "So Big," a story that explores themes of resilience and the American spirit. This accolade was a testament to her ability to capture the essence of American life and the struggles of ordinary people.
Ferber was also a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a celebrated group of New York City writers, critics, and actors known for their sharp wit and intellectual discourse. Her involvement with this group further established her as a significant figure in the literary world.
Notable Works or Actions
Edna Ferber's literary repertoire is vast and varied, with several works that have left a lasting impact on American literature. Her novel "Show Boat" (1926) was adapted into a highly successful musical, highlighting issues of race and identity in America. Another notable work, "Cimarron" (1930), was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film, showcasing the pioneering spirit of the American West.
Ferber's ability to weave intricate narratives with rich character development is evident in her other works, such as "Giant" (1952), which explores the complexities of wealth and power in Texas. Her stories often featured strong, independent female protagonists, reflecting her own views on gender equality and social justice.
Impact and Legacy
Edna Ferber's impact on American literature and culture is profound. Her novels and plays often addressed social issues such as race, gender, and class, challenging societal norms and encouraging readers to reflect on their own beliefs. Her portrayal of strong, resilient characters, particularly women, inspired generations of readers and writers alike.
Ferber's works have been adapted into numerous films and stage productions, ensuring her stories continue to reach new audiences. Her ability to capture the American experience with authenticity and empathy has cemented her legacy as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Edna Ferber is widely quoted and remembered for her keen insights into human nature and her ability to articulate the complexities of life with wit and wisdom. Her quotes often reflect her sharp observations and her commitment to social justice, making them relevant and resonant even today.
Ferber's legacy endures not only through her literary contributions but also through her role as a trailblazer for women in literature. Her fearless exploration of challenging themes and her dedication to portraying diverse American experiences have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. As a result, her words continue to inspire and provoke thought, ensuring that Edna Ferber remains a celebrated and quoted figure in the world of literature.
Quotes by Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber's insights on:
And within her something was screaming: “Oh, my God! Oh, my God! He knows French. And those girls that can row and everything. And me, I don’t know anything. Oh, God, what’ll I do?
Some day the marriageable age for women will be advanced from twenty to thirty, and the old maid line will be changed from thirty to forty. When that time comes there will be surprisingly few divorces. The husband of whom we dream at twenty is not at all the type of man who attracts us at thirty.
A story must simmer in its own juice for months or even years before it’s ready to serve.
No sooner do you get a field cleared of them than within another year a new layer has somehow worked its way to the surface. It’s my opinion they boil up from hell, those stones, cooling on the way.
If it’s freedom you want, come to Texas. No one there tells you what to do and how you have to do it.
Wasn’t marriage, like life, unstimulating and unprofitable and somewhat empty when too well ordered and protected and guarded? Wasn’t it finer, more splendid, more nourishing, when it was, like life itself, a mixture of the sordid and the magnificent; of mud and stars; of earth and flowers; of love and hate and laugher and tears and ugliness and beauty and hurt?
I never go to weddings. Waste of time. Person can get married a dozen times. Lots of folks do. Family like ours, know everybody in the state of Texas and around outside, why, you could spend your life going to weddings. But a funeral, that’s different. You only die once.
America – rather, the United States – seems to me to be the Jew among the nations. It is resourceful, adaptable, maligned, envied, feared, imposed upon. It is warmhearted, overfriendly; quick-witted, lavish, colorful; given to extravagant speech and gestures. Its people are travelers and wanderers by nature, moving, shifting, restless; swarming in Fords, in ocean liners; craving entertainment; volatile. The schnuckle among the nations of the world.