Births on February 3

Gertrude Stein, American novelist, poet, playwright, (d. 1946)

Gertrude Stein: An American Literary and Artistic Pioneer

Gertrude Stein (February 3, 1874 – July 27, 1946) was a profoundly influential American novelist, poet, playwright, and pioneering art collector. Her radical literary experimentation and patronage of avant-garde artists made her a central figure in the development of modernism in the early 20th century.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specifically in the Allegheny West neighborhood, Stein spent her formative years raised in Oakland, California. Her intellectual journey began with studies at Radcliffe College, where she engaged with psychology under William James, and later at Johns Hopkins Medical School, although she did not complete her degree. In 1903, seeking new horizons and intellectual freedom, Stein relocated to Paris, France, establishing it as her lifelong home and the epicenter of her groundbreaking work.

The Legendary Paris Salon: A Crucible of Modernist Creativity

For decades, Gertrude Stein’s residence at 27 Rue de Fleurus in Paris became the iconic site of a legendary salon, a vibrant hub where the most brilliant minds of modernism in literature and art converged. This wasn't merely a social gathering; it was a dynamic intellectual crucible where ideas were exchanged, manifestos debated, and artistic boundaries pushed. Emerging talents and established masters alike found camaraderie and critical engagement within Stein's salon, benefiting from her insightful commentary and substantial patronage.

• Literary Giants: Among the literary figures who frequented her salon were Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, Ezra Pound, and Sherwood Anderson. Stein's influence on these writers, particularly Hemingway, was significant, often extending to her critical feedback on their drafts and fostering their early careers.
• Artistic Visionaries: The visual arts were equally represented, with luminaries such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, founders of Cubism and Fauvism respectively, being regular attendees. Stein was an early and fervent collector of modern art, especially Cubist works, and her home was filled with their masterpieces, providing an inspiring backdrop for these meetings.

Literary Breakthrough: The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas

In 1933, Gertrude Stein achieved widespread mainstream recognition with the publication of The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. This innovative work was not a straightforward autobiography but a "quasi-memoir" ingeniously penned by Stein in the voice of her lifelong partner, Alice B. Toklas. This unique narrative device allowed Stein to recount her own life, her experiences in Paris, and the celebrated salon from an outsider’s perspective, yet with an intimate, candid tone.

The book became an unexpected literary bestseller, propelling Stein from the niche realm of experimental and "cult" literature into the global limelight. Its commercial success not only secured her financial independence but also introduced her distinctive prose and personality to a much broader audience, transforming her into a genuine literary celebrity.

Enduring Phrases: Language, Identity, and Place

Two distinct and evocative phrases from Gertrude Stein's vast oeuvre have transcended their original contexts to become indelible parts of the English lexicon, embodying her fascination with language and perception:

• "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose": First appearing in her 1913 poem "Sacred Emily," this iconic line is often interpreted as a statement on the principle of identity, where the simple repetition aims to restore the noun's inherent essence, stripping away layers of historical and conventional associations. For Stein, the word "rose" when repeated, becomes more fully a rose, emphasizing the thing itself.
• "There is no there there": This poignant phrase, originating from her 1937 work Everybody's Autobiography, refers to her childhood home of Oakland, California. Upon revisiting, she found the familiar landscape and structures of her youth had been irrevocably altered or entirely demolished, leaving her with a profound sense of loss and the feeling that the 'there' she remembered no longer existed. It has since become a widely used expression to describe places that have lost their distinctive character or evoke a sense of emptiness due to change.

Groundbreaking Works: A Glimpse into Stein's Literary Experiments

Gertrude Stein's literary output was characterized by her relentless experimentation with language, narrative structure, and traditional literary forms. Her unique style, often described as "cubist prose" or "stream of consciousness," employed repetition, unusual syntax, and a focus on the present moment, challenging readers to rethink the very nature of storytelling. Her notable works include:

• Q.E.D. (written 1903, published posthumously 1950): This early novella, a daring exploration of a lesbian romantic affair involving several of Stein's friends, was groundbreaking for its candid treatment of same-sex relationships at a time when such topics were largely taboo in literature.
• Three Lives (1905–06): Comprising three novellas, this work is celebrated for its innovative use of repetition and simple language to deeply explore the psychological lives of ordinary working-class women, laying groundwork for modernist prose.
• The Making of Americans (1902–1911, published 1925): An expansive, monumental novel spanning hundreds of pages, this magnum opus attempts to capture the entire psychological and generational history of an American family using a highly repetitive and cumulative prose style, reflecting Stein's concept of "human natures."
• Tender Buttons (1914): A collection of poems, prose poems, and descriptions of objects, food, and rooms, this work is a quintessential example of Stein's abstract and experimental style. It deconstructs language, creating vivid, often nonsensical, yet deeply evocative impressions, influencing subsequent generations of avant-garde poets.
• Fernhurst (written 1904, published posthumously 1971): A fictional narrative delving into a complex love triangle, offering another early glimpse into Stein's keen observations of human relationships and social dynamics.

Wartime Years and Controversies: A Complex Legacy

Gertrude Stein's actions and affiliations during World War II, particularly her choice to remain in Nazi-occupied France with her Jewish partner, Alice B. Toklas, have been the subject of intense historical analysis and considerable controversy. As a prominent Jewish woman residing under the oppressive Vichy regime, her ability to sustain her lifestyle as an art collector and, crucially, to ensure her physical safety and that of Toklas, is widely debated among scholars.

It is documented that Stein and Toklas benefited from the controversial protection of Bernard Faÿ, a powerful Vichy government official and an ardent Nazi collaborator. Faÿ, a prominent academic and known homophobe, paradoxically used his influence to shield the couple, overseeing the protection of their valuable art collection, which included works by Picasso and Matisse. While some argue that Stein's survival necessitated a pragmatic, if morally compromising, alliance, others view her relationship with Faÿ as deeply problematic, raising questions about her political allegiances.

Further complicating her post-war legacy was Stein's open admiration for Marshal Philippe Pétain, the head of the collaborationist Vichy regime, whom she praised as "a real leader" and a savior of France. This endorsement of a figure deeply implicated in the Holocaust and the suppression of French liberties remains a contentious aspect of her life, leading many to critically re-evaluate her political judgment and the broader implications of her wartime decisions. Historians continue to scrutinize this complex period, acknowledging the perilous circumstances of the occupation while also assessing the moral dimensions of her choices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gertrude Stein

Who was Gertrude Stein's partner?

Gertrude Stein's lifelong partner was Alice B. Toklas (1877–1967). Toklas served as Stein's companion, editor, and muse, playing a pivotal role in managing her affairs and the famous Paris salon. Their relationship was central to Stein's personal and creative life.

What made Gertrude Stein's writing unique?

Gertrude Stein's writing was unique for its radical experimentalism. She challenged traditional narrative, grammar, and syntax, employing techniques such as repetition, stream of consciousness, and automatic writing. Her aim was to explore the essence of language and experience beyond conventional meaning, creating a distinctive style often termed "cubist prose" due to its fragmented yet cohesive structure.

Why was Gertrude Stein controversial during WWII?

Stein's wartime actions drew controversy because, as a Jewish woman, she chose to remain in Nazi-occupied France and was protected by Bernard Faÿ, a high-ranking Nazi collaborator in the Vichy government. Her open admiration for Marshal Pétain, the Vichy leader, after the war further fueled criticism, raising questions about her political judgment and moral stance during a period of immense human rights abuses.

How did Gertrude Stein influence modern art and literature?

Gertrude Stein profoundly influenced both modern art and literature. In literature, her experimental prose and theories on language directly impacted writers like Ernest Hemingway and Ezra Pound. As an art collector and patron, she was an early champion of Cubism and other avant-garde movements, hosting artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse in her salon, thereby fostering a critical environment that shaped early 20th-century artistic innovation.