Gertrude Stein Research Paper

“If you can do it then why do it?” This is a quote from a well known writer in the Modernism Era(late 19th and early 20th centuries), Gertrude Stein. With this inspiring quote, Stein challenges us to rise above what we can do and instead strive for what we cannot yet do. Gertrude Stein, a talented and praised writer, helped shape the Modernism Era by using her excellent skill to entertain many audiences. She broke boundaries of avant-garde and influenced many. Gertrude had a few traumatic experiences as a young teen. In 1888, her dear mother passed beyond the veil. She was only 14. A few years later her father followed, leaving her an orphan by the time she was 17 years old. The loss brought her to psychology. While at Radcliffe College,

In “Reconsidering the Genius of Gertrude Stein” by Lynne Tillman, the author writes about “Ida”, a novel by Stein. She explains that the novel is well written and that “Ida” is a story that can give the reader a pull toward freedom. They can experience Ida’s conflicting desires; wanting a home and yet needing to escape, wanting to be known and not. In the author’s words, “There isn’t a better description of celebrity effect.” She discusses characterization and the plot in her criticism. She says that in places where the word “rest” appears, it provides a sort of stop in the story. A hole where they can disappear just like Ida. “Ida” was indeed very well written. There is a definite pull toward freedom but with conflicting desires as well. Ida clearly explains fame in a quote from the book saying: “Ida sat on. She said to herself. If a great many people were here and they all said hello Ida, I would not stand up, they would all stand up. If everybody offered me everything I would not refuse anything because everything is mine without my asking for it or refusing it.” This quote elaborates on how being famous feels to the celebrity. In another quote, Stein expertly incorporates poetry into the novel. “Well what did Ida do. / Ida knew just who was who. / She did. She did know.” Ida shows many conflicting emotions in the novel such as: “Everybody began to miss something and it was not a kiss, you