Muriel Rukeyser
Muriel Rukeyser: A Life of Poetry, Politics, and Passion
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Muriel Rukeyser was born on December 15, 1913, in New York City. Her full name is Muriel Gertrude Rukeyser.
Birth and Death Dates
December 15, 1913 – February 14, 1980
Nationality and Profession(s)
American poet, essayist, translator, and social activist.
Early Life and Background
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Muriel Rukeyser was born into a family of high social standing. Her father, David Rukeyser, was a wealthy businessman, and her mother, Muriel (née Oppenheimer), was a pianist. This upbringing provided Rukeyser with access to various cultural experiences that would later shape her writing. Growing up in Brooklyn Heights, she developed an interest in poetry at an early age.
Major Accomplishments
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Rukeyser's life was marked by numerous accomplishments that showcased her exceptional talent and dedication. She published her first book of poetry, "Theory of Flight," in 1935, which received critical acclaim for its innovative style. Throughout her career, she continued to produce notable works, including:
"The Ballad of Orange" (1936): A collection that explored themes of politics and social justice.
"A Turning" (1944): A novel that delved into the complexities of relationships and identity.
Notable Works or Actions
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Rukeyser's writing was not limited to poetry and fiction. She also made significant contributions as a translator, essayist, and social activist:
Translations: Rukeyser translated works from Spanish and French, including Pablo Neruda's "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair" (1936).
Essays: Her essays often addressed topics like politics, feminism, and the role of art in society.
Social Activism: Rukeyser was an outspoken advocate for human rights, particularly in the context of World War II. She traveled to Spain during the civil war to document its effects on civilians.Impact and Legacy
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Muriel Rukeyser's impact extends far beyond her literary contributions:
Influence on Feminist Movement: Her writing addressed issues like sexism and misogyny, paving the way for future feminist movements.
Poetry as Activism: Rukeyser demonstrated that poetry could be a powerful tool for social change.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Muriel Rukeyser's legacy can be attributed to her unwavering commitment to using art as a means of promoting positive change. Her quotes and writings continue to inspire readers today:
"The function of the poet in our time is to find what will save us." - This quote encapsulates Rukeyser's vision for poetry as a force for good.
* "I think I have found that I am not so much interested in the shape and style and tone, but rather in the content." - This statement highlights her focus on conveying meaningful ideas through her writing.
Rukeyser's life serves as a testament to the potential of art to challenge societal norms and inspire positive change. Her quotes continue to resonate with readers who value the power of words to shape our world.
Quotes by Muriel Rukeyser
Muriel Rukeyser's insights on:
It is the single image, as used in a photograph or a painting - or the frame of a film - to which words have been added to enlarge the context. The method is not the same as that by which most paintings are named. It is closer in its performance to what dialogue does to a movie, to what the caption does to a good poster.
The advertising men made it clear that there were two ways of looking at ideas in a war against fascism. Those of us who were working on the project believed ideas were to be fought for; the advertising men believed they were to be sold. The audience, those at home in wartime, were not 'citizens' or 'people.' They were 'customers.'
Local images have one kind of reality. 'U.S. 1' will, I hope, have that kind and another, too. Poetry can extend the document.
I hope for quick, fluent copy and memorable pictures. The words would not 'describe' the pictures; the pictures would not 'illustrate' the words. Together, they would carry a stamp and tell a story.
One characteristic of modern poetry is that arrangement of parts which strikes many people as being violent or obscure.
The town of Gauley Bridge stands as a pattern for all those places where people are linked even in the middle of their suffering, where people fight against an evil condition so that other people need not go through the same fight.
Editors have grown timid... a brave advance is almost inevitably followed by quick back-tracking, generally by dilution and debasement of the original intention.
I should like to use another word: 'audience' or 'reader' or 'listener' seems inadequate. I suggest the old word 'witness,' which includes the act of seeing and knowing by personal experience, as well as the act of giving evidence.
A work of art is one through which the consciousness of the artist is able to give its emotions to anyone who is prepared to receive them. There is no such thing as bad art.