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    392 Results with the "Biography" genre


    • Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay Memories and Portraits by Robert Louis Stevenson is a heartfelt collection of essays that combines personal reminiscences with reflections on art, literature, and human experience. Published in 1887, the book offers an intimate glimpse into Stevenson’s life, including his childhood in Scotland, his love for travel, and his musings on relationships and creativity. With its elegant prose and thoughtful observations, the collection captures the charm and wisdom of one of literature’s most beloved storytellers, offering readers both inspiration and a deeper understanding of the author’s world.
    • VIII -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter "Old Mortality" from "Memories and Portraits," the narrator reflects on his youthful experiences in a graveyard that sits juxtaposed between a prison and a quiet hotel, overshadowed by the bustling sounds of nearby rail traffic. This somber setting serves as a backdrop for his introspections on life, death, and the fleeting nature of human existence as he wanders among the graves, contemplating the lives of those remembered only by simple epitaphs. This graveyard becomes a place where the…
    • VII -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Memories and Portraits," the narrative delves deeply into the nature of happiness, self-awareness, and the value of friendships. The text begins by reflecting on the concept of self-forgetfulness as the essence of happiness, contrasting it with the metaphorical image of Prometheus still chained to the Caucasus, symbolizing the struggle of the individual with their own limitations and pains. The passage suggests a journey toward recognizing one's own fallibility and the deep, humbling process of…
    • VI -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A College Magazine," the writer shares a candid reflection on his boyhood to youth, marked by an incessant drive to master the craft of writing despite being labeled an idler. He describes a life immersed in words, carrying two books at all times—one for reading and one for writing. His days were filled with the quest to precisely capture the scenes around him through descriptive writing and poetry, not for any external purpose but as a self-imposed challenge to hone his skills in writing. The…
    • V -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter narrates the author's experiences and reflections on failure, learning, and the pursuit of success in literary endeavors. Initially, he expresses a strong inclination towards learning from his failures, acknowledging the shortcomings in his work with a discerning eye. Despite enjoying the process of creation, he rarely shares his work with friends, choosing instead those who would offer candid feedback, emphasizing the value of honest critique in his development as a writer. The author's…
    • CHAPTER V. AN OLD SCOTCH GARDENER Cover
      by LovelyMay In a reminiscent homage to a bygone era, the chapter explores the life and character of Robert, an emblematic figure of the old Scottish gardener, a breed fast becoming extinct in the face of modernity. Described with a blend of reverence and affection, Robert personifies the union of man and nature, echoing the idyllic harmony once found in Scotland's rural gardens. His figure, reminiscent of Don Quixote but seasoned with the austere ethos of the Covenanters, manifests an antiquated dignity that seems…
    • CHAPTER VII. THE MANSE Cover
      by LovelyMay "Memories and Portraits" Chapter VII, "The Manse," dives into the nostalgia and rich history of a Scottish manse and its surroundings, intricately woven with the author's reflections on heritage and identity. The narrative starts with a vivid recollection of the Water of Leith, a river that held the author's fascination in his youth, and a particular spot by a water door that represents a portal to cherished memories. This setting serves as a backdrop to the old manse, a dwelling that, through the…
    • IV -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Memories and Portraits," the narrator recounts his vivid memories of Earraid, an islet located near the Ross of Mull, framed by the Sound of Iona and the open sea. He first encountered Earraid through the perspective of a cabin port, where he observed its serene landscape and a simple, stone house surrounded by the life of its inhabitants. This initial encounter was part of a visit aimed at establishing a base for the construction of a lighthouse on a remote rock, Dhu-Heartach, to aid seafarers…
    • CHAPTER IX. THOMAS STEVENSON – CIVIL ENGINEER Cover
      by LovelyMay Thomas Stevenson, remembered more in professional circles than in public fame, made significant contributions to lighthouse engineering which impact mariners worldwide. Despite his limited presence in London and his preference for his Edinburgh surroundings, his innovations in lighthouse technology earned him recognition globally, even in places as remote as Peru, often being mistakenly associated more with literary achievements like those of his son, rather than his own technical advancements. Born in…
    • HAPTER XIV. A GOSSIP ON A NOVEL OF DUMAS’S Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Gossip on a Novel of Dumas's," the author explores the enduring appeal and personal significance of re-reading favorite books, likening them to cherished friendships revisited for various reasons. Among his most revisited works are novels by Scott, Shakespeare, Moliere, Montaigne, "The Egoist," and "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" by Alexandre Dumas. He candidly shares his estrangement from once familiar authors like Wordsworth and Burns, and his fluctuating relationship with the works of Virgil and…
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