It was Fitzgerald who said of Hemingway that he was always willing to give a hand down to the one higher up the ladder, or something similar. I mangle the quote here and used it on my blog in a different manner, but with the same effect. Hemingway's relationship to the Jazz Age is best seen in his reaction to Gerald and Sarah Murphy in "A Moveable Feast." Of course, that was hindsight after the bitterness had settled in. But you also see it in "The Sun Also Rises." Hemingway maintained a midwestern work ethic in his bohemian lifestyle. In "The Moderns," a marvelous movie for anyone interested in 1920s Paris, the main character, Nick Hart, sits in a crowded cafe at a table alone, working. Upon entering, his friend remarks, "Ah, Hart, among the throng, but not of the throng." Hart is very much a Hemingway-inspired creation.
I saw that movie and it is indeed great. And I agree, I don't think Hemingway was into jazz all that much. I think writers like Kerouac and John C. Holmes 'brought' jazz into literature, but that was only in the 50's. On the other hand, Fitzgerald's name sparks a kind of jazz feeling in my head...I don't know, were people in the 20's not more into the Charleston?
I agree that Hemingway tired of much of the Bohemian crowd in Paris but I think that he was sated with it by then. It was a crowd of privileged, middle to upper class, expats, mostly. They had their fun and left. Many contributed great creative works - many just were there to be seen with the creative ones.
Hello Marc, well, the Paris music scene of the '20s had quite a bit to offer! The Charleston was definitely popular, as well as Josephine Baker and many other Afro-American jazz artists. I'm afraid that this is not an area that I know much about - what was the jazz of the "Jazz Age." It was the era of Flappers and the Charleston, definitely.
I just finished reading The Jazz Age in France by Charles A Riley II. The book delved into the relationship of Hemingway, Dos Passos, and E. E. Cummings, as well as how they were all brought together by the Murphys. Mostly from this book I learned who some of the prominent African-American artists were in Paris in the 20s such as the painter of this lovely cover--but I don't have the book in front of me and can't remember his or her name.
Thanks for your book suggestion--it sounds like one I will enjoy. I will add it to my reading list about that particular group of friends in the 20's. I have been enjoying your site for awhile now . . .
Since I have been fascinated with Paris my whole life, all aspects, time periods, whatever, speak to me. The Jazz Age is just another great epoch in its history. Anything Hemingway is equally interesting so I stop by often to see what you have in store for us. You never disappoint.
If you love that period, intereresting also are stories by Jean Rhys set in that "decadent"and "bohemian" Paris, ( in Sleep it off, Lady) though not as idyllic as it is sometimes though of. Beautiful choices of posters.
24 comments:
It was Fitzgerald who said of Hemingway that he was always willing to give a hand down to the one higher up the ladder, or something similar. I mangle the quote here and used it on my blog in a different manner, but with the same effect. Hemingway's relationship to the Jazz Age is best seen in his reaction to Gerald and Sarah Murphy in "A Moveable Feast." Of course, that was hindsight after the bitterness had settled in. But you also see it in "The Sun Also Rises." Hemingway maintained a midwestern work ethic in his bohemian lifestyle. In "The Moderns," a marvelous movie for anyone interested in 1920s Paris, the main character, Nick Hart, sits in a crowded cafe at a table alone, working. Upon entering, his friend remarks, "Ah, Hart, among the throng, but not of the throng." Hart is very much a Hemingway-inspired creation.
I saw that movie and it is indeed great. And I agree, I don't think Hemingway was into jazz all that much. I think writers like Kerouac and John C. Holmes 'brought' jazz into literature, but that was only in the 50's. On the other hand, Fitzgerald's name sparks a kind of jazz feeling in my head...I don't know, were people in the 20's not more into the Charleston?
I agree that Hemingway tired of much of the Bohemian crowd in Paris but I think that he was sated with it by then. It was a crowd of privileged, middle to upper class, expats, mostly. They had their fun and left. Many contributed great creative works - many just were there to be seen with the creative ones.
Hello Marc, well, the Paris music scene of the '20s had quite a bit to offer!
The Charleston was definitely popular, as well as Josephine Baker and many other Afro-American jazz artists.
I'm afraid that this is not an area that I know much about - what was the jazz of the "Jazz Age." It was the era of Flappers and the Charleston, definitely.
I just finished reading The Jazz Age in France by Charles A Riley II. The book delved into the relationship of Hemingway, Dos Passos, and E. E. Cummings, as well as how they were all brought together by the Murphys. Mostly from this book I learned who some of the prominent African-American artists were in Paris in the 20s such as the painter of this lovely cover--but I don't have the book in front of me and can't remember his or her name.
Thanks for the visit, Denise!
So right...I think you need to jazz up your life too ;)
LOL, I need someone to show me how to dance :-)
xo
Denise, there is a new book out on the Jazz Age in England: "Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of london's Jazz Age", by D.J. Taylor.
Thanks for your book suggestion--it sounds like one I will enjoy. I will add it to my reading list about that particular group of friends in the 20's. I have been enjoying your site for awhile now . . .
Loved this photo~~M
Hi Michelle! Thanks for the visit!
Since I have been fascinated with Paris my whole life, all aspects, time periods, whatever, speak to me. The Jazz Age is just another great epoch in its history. Anything Hemingway is equally interesting so I stop by often to see what you have in store for us. You never disappoint.
Hi Kim, thanks for the kind words!
Hey Paul!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
I really had a great time in Arizona...I had yo work... but always time for play!!!
How are things? Cold still?
Warm hugs from California;-)
Cool tape....thanks for the heads up!!
Kay
Hi Paul! The poster is excellent, but the Age was surely better. Too early however... ;))
You can’t imagine what you’re missing at Blogtrotter now! Lol!!
Have a great weekend!
oh yeah..i love jazz. and i love that poster. it's very elegant. I wonder how the jazz music of hemingway's time is like..ehm...
You selected a perfect piece to represent the Jazz Age in Paris. Oh, I was born too late!!
love the jazzing up of the blog :)
Hello Kate, I hope that you are nice & warm in Mexico by now! Thanks for the visit!
Hi Moi! Thanks to you, too for stopping by!
Hi Paul!
Something new at Blogtrotter Enjoy, comment and have a great weekend! ;)
no new updates yet? ;)
Hi Elwin, nothing right now :-)
If you love that period, intereresting also are stories by Jean Rhys set in that "decadent"and "bohemian" Paris, ( in Sleep it off, Lady) though not as idyllic as it is sometimes though of. Beautiful choices of posters.
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