Tomas Tranströmer
Tomas Tranströmer
Full Name and Common Aliases
Tomas Oskar Klorde Tranströmer is commonly known as Tomas Tranströmer.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 15, 1931, in Stockholm, Sweden; passed away on March 26, 2015, at the age of 83.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Swedish poet, translator, and psychologist by profession. His work as a psychologist was interrupted by his love for poetry.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family with high expectations, Tranströmer's early life played a significant role in shaping his writing style and themes. He moved to the countryside at the age of eight, where he spent much time exploring nature. This experience greatly influenced his future poetry.
He began writing poetry at an early age, but it wasn't until after World War II that he found his true voice as a poet. During this period, Tranströmer was heavily influenced by Swedish modernism and the works of Carl Michael Bellman.
Major Accomplishments
Tranströmer's work earned him numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2011 for "behind a veneer of simplicity and humility, [he] has transformed our understanding of poetry."
He was also awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1989. His work has been translated into over 60 languages worldwide.
Notable Works or Actions
Tranströmer's most famous works include:
"Baltics" (1960), which explores themes of love and death.
"The Wild Iris" (1995), a collection of poems that contemplate the relationship between humans and nature.
* "The Great Enigma: New Poems 2005-2009" (2011), published in translation shortly before he was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Tranströmer's poetry is known for its accessibility and depth. His use of imagery and symbolism creates a unique voice that is both personal and universal.
Impact and Legacy
Tranströmer's work has had a significant impact on modern literature, particularly in the realm of poetry. His ability to capture the human experience through nature-based themes has inspired countless readers worldwide.
His legacy continues to be felt long after his passing, with many considering him one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Tomas Tranströmer is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking poetry, which delves into themes such as love, loss, and human existence. His unique voice and ability to capture the essence of life through nature-based imagery have made him a beloved figure in the literary world.
In summary, Tomas Tranströmer's life was marked by a passion for poetry and exploration of the human experience.
Quotes by Tomas Tranströmer
Tomas Tranströmer's insights on:
A ship’s engine far away on the water expands the summer-night horizon. Both joy and sorrow swell in the dew’s magnifying glass. Without really knowing, we divine; our life has a sister ship, following quietly another route. While the sun blazes behind the islands.
It’s always so early in here, before the crossroads, before the irrevocable choices. Thank you for this life! Still I miss the alternatives. The sketches, all of them, want to become real.
Every abstract picture of the world is as impossible as a blueprint of a storm. Don’t be ashamed because you’re human: be proud! Inside you, vaults behind vaults open endlessly. You will never be finished, and that’s as it should be.
We always feel younger than we are. I carry inside myself my earlier faces, as a tree contains its rings. The sum of them is me. The mirror sees only my latest face, while I know all my previous ones.
In the middle of life, death comes to take your measurements. The visit is forgotten and life goes on. But the suit is being sewn on the sly.
The airy sky has taken its place leaning against the wall. It is like a prayer to what is empty And what is empty turns its face to us and whispers: 'I am not empty, I am open'.
It is still beautiful to hear the heart beat but often the shadow seems more real than the body.
A person shows himself for an instant as in a photograph but clearer and in the background something which is bigger than his shadow.