Mornings in Mexico (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition) - Lawrence, D. H.

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Résumé :
Mornings in Mexico is the only collection among D. H. Lawrence's travel writings that focuses on the North American Southwest. The eight essays that comprise the original volume were written between 1924 and 1925, when Lawrence was working on the novel The Plumed Serpent (1926). The first four essays are quintessential first-person narratives while the latter four describe indigenous rites and rituals. Lawrence asserts that for indigenous people there is no division between Spirit and Matter, a state of being that presents itself as a coveted alternative to the disconnection inherent in the mechanized fabric of the Western world. His sensory-rich approach not only provides a visual and auditory experience but also immerses readers in the emotional essence of the places he encounters. With insight gained through empathy, Lawrence explores notions of identity, community, and the interplay between tradition and modernity in this blend of travelogue and personal reflection. This Warbler Classics edition includes an extensive biographical timeline.

Biographie:
David Herbert Richards D. H. Lawrence (11 September 1885 - 2 March 1930) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter. His collected works represent, among other things, an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation. Some of the issues Lawrence explores are emotional health, vitality, spontaneity and instinct. Lawrence's opinions earned him many enemies and he endured official persecution, censorship, and misrepresentation of his creative work throughout the second half of his life, much of which he spent in a voluntary exile which he called his savage pilgrimage. At the time of his death, his public reputation was that of a pornographer who had wasted his considerable talents. E. M. Forster, in an obituary notice, challenged this widely held view, describing him as, The greatest imaginative novelist of our generation. Lawrence is perhaps best known for his novels Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Within these Lawrence explores the possibilities for life within an industrial setting. In particular Lawrence is concerned with the nature of relationships that can be had within such a setting. Though often classed as a realist, Lawrence in fact uses his characters to give form to his personal philosophy. His depiction of sexual activity, though seen as shocking when he first published in the early 20th century, has its roots in this highly personal way of thinking and being. It is worth noting that Lawrence was very interested in the sense of touch and that his focus on physical intimacy has its roots in a desire to restore an emphasis on the body, and re-balance it with what he perceived to be Western civilisation's over-emphasis on the mind....

Sommaire:
David Herbert Lawrence was born on September 11, 1885, in Eastwood, United Kingdom. His parents were Arthur John Lawrence, a coal miner, and Lydia Beardsall Lawrence, who came from a family of lace makers. David grew up in a working-class environment, which deeply influenced his later works. He became one of the most important English novelists of the 20th century, known for his works that explored themes of modernity, social alienation, and the impact of industrialization. His writing championed human vitality, sexuality, and instinct, often in opposition to the dehumanizing forces of modern life. Lawrence's most famous works include novels such as Sons and Lovers, Women in Love, and Lady Chatterley's Lover. He was influenced by prominent figures such as Thomas Hardy, Sigmund Freud, and E. M. Forster. His works were often controversial, addressing issues of sexuality and class that led to censorship. Lawrence married Frieda Weekley in 1914, and their life together was marked by travels and an often turbulent relationship. He died on March 2, 1930, in Vence, France, at the age of 44, leaving behind a significant legacy in literature that continues to provoke thought and discussion....