Nathalie Sarraute
Nathalie Sarraute: A Life of Innovative Writing and Thought
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Nathalie Sarraute was born on July 18, 1900, in Ivanovo, Russia (now part of the Russian Federation). She is commonly known as Nathalie or Natalia Sarraute.
#### Birth and Death Dates
July 18, 1900 – October 22, 1999
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
French writer, novelist, playwright, and essayist. Her work spans multiple genres, including fiction, drama, and non-fiction.
#### Early Life and Background
Nathalie Sarraute was born into a Russian family in Russia but moved to France with her parents at the age of 14. She settled in Paris and began studying law before switching to literature. In 1925, she married Michel de Matarás and started writing seriously. Her early life experiences in Russia and her subsequent move to France had a profound impact on her writing.
#### Major Accomplishments
Nathalie Sarraute was a pioneering figure in the modernist movement of the mid-20th century. She is perhaps best known for coining the term "anti-novel" or "anti-fiction," which she used to describe her innovative and experimental approach to storytelling. Her writing style often blurred the lines between fiction, poetry, and essayism, creating a unique narrative that challenged traditional literary conventions.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Some of Sarraute's notable works include:
Portrait of a Man: A novel that explores the complexities of human relationships through an innovative use of language.
Tropisms: A collection of short stories that experiment with language and narrative structure.
* The Planetarium: A play that pushes the boundaries of theatrical storytelling.
Sarraute's writing often explored themes of identity, morality, and social justice. Her work was not only a reflection of her own experiences but also a commentary on the world around her.
#### Impact and Legacy
Nathalie Sarraute's innovative approach to storytelling has had a lasting impact on literary history. Her influence can be seen in the work of many subsequent writers, including Samuel Beckett, Jean Genet, and Margaret Atwood. Her commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging conventions has made her one of the most important figures in 20th-century literature.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Nathalie Sarraute is widely quoted and remembered for her groundbreaking work in modernist literature. Her innovative approach to storytelling, her use of language as a tool for social commentary, and her commitment to challenging traditional literary conventions have made her one of the most important writers of the 20th century.
In addition to her writing, Sarraute was also an outspoken advocate for women's rights and social justice. Her work continues to be celebrated for its innovative spirit and its commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience.
Quotes by Nathalie Sarraute
Nathalie Sarraute's insights on:
I think it’s very painful, and that it’s better not to have any doubts. I envy those who don’t have any; I envy them a lot. They are happy people.
I have often heard that the novel is dead. But I see novels produced, I don’t know how many a week, in France. I have the impression it’s carrying along quite well.
One can’t write without having read – you have to read before beginning to write – and universities offer a very good opportunity to read.
The reader has to be creative when he’s reading. He has to try to make the thing alive. A good reader has to do a certain amount of work when he is reading.
It’s a question of not copying the masters, to look for something, good or bad, for oneself. To enter this liberated state of mind, one cannot copy the others.
All psychological research is completely barred by the interpretations of the psychoanalysts. Everything happens in the unconscious, and I don’t know what this unconscious is.
I don’t for a minute think that Hitler is like Joan of Arc. But I think that at that deep level of tropisms, Hitler or Stalin must have experienced the same tropisms as anyone else.
It’s the duty of all novelists, all painters, all musicians, all people who try to make art move: to look for something they feel authentically, without paying attention to styles.