The Literary Blog Hop is hosted by The Blue Bookcase
This week’s question comes from Mel U. at The Reading Life.
If you could invite any three literary figures from different eras to a Sunday Dinner who would they be?
This question is insanely difficult. I’m going to make it easier on myself from the start by deciding to choose one writer from the 1700s, one from the 1800s, and one from the 1900s. This still leaves me far too limited, as I can’t invite anyone recent or “ancient” (no Shakespeare, no Ovid, no Homer, no Chaucer) but it is what it is!
1. 1700s – William Wordsworth
One reason: The Prelude. Okay, that’s not fair. That is the main reason, but there is also his fascinating life, including friendships with Coleridge and other major poets of the time, like competitors and Romantics, Shelley, Keats, Byron, etc. I would love to discuss the time, his inspirations, his sister, Dorothy, and so much more (like the let-down they felt after the failure of the French Revolution, which the Romantics had put so much hope into). He is one I would invite for historical purposes (tell me what was going on, man) but mainly to discuss his writing.
2. 1800s – Mark Twain
Need I explain this one? As one of my favorite writers, in general, of all-time, and as the author of some of my favorite books, and as one of the most interesting historical figures I know, it would be impossible for me not to include a seat for Twain at my table. Like with Wordsworth, I would love to talk to Twain about his time – post-Civil War ear USA and his travels around the world. I would enjoy discussing some of his works, too, though I imagine he would avoid that for the most part. Mostly, though, I would just love to talk to him. His wit, his charm, his humor – we could completely set aside his works and just chat, and I would be entirely content.
3. 1900s – Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Vonnegut is my literary soul-mate. Most of his books resonate with me deeply, but particularly his essays and other non-fiction, which is why I would relish an opportunity to sit and chat with him. He was incredibly funny, but sad. He had very little hope for the human race, but at least kept a sense of humor about our impending doom. Like Twain, this is a guy I would just like to kick-back with over a glass of something or other. I would also be keen to discuss his experience as a Jewish boy during World War II, though I know it was a painful subject for him; still, it influenced his writing so much, and the opportunity to talk to him about that important moment in history and how it impacted him personally, particularly artistically, would be incredible.
So, those are my three – at least for this particular dinner. Ask me again sometime, and I may come up with an entirely different list of characters (Tolstoy, J.K. Rowling, and Petronius, for example). Who would you invite to dinner?
I am glad you enjoyed the question-your choices are very interesting-have you pondered what foods you might serve them, for example or what topics they might pursue-I am more into the shorter works of Wordsworth but even that was long ago-
I invited Samuel Johnson, Victor Hugo and Elizabeth Bowen
I have no idea what I would – maybe some deep dish chicago-style pizza, since Twain and Wordsworth would have never experienced it (and because I love it haha). Twain and Vonnegut would have much in common, so I feel Wordsworth might be much quieter and observant, but I would definitely want to include him – perhaps talk about the condition of man and morality, since all three authors were engaged in that exploration and have different views of it (and would be able to inform the others of their own time periods and what was happening to influence their beliefs). I would probably allow Twain to guide the conversation, since I’m sure he would relish it – he used to spontaneously stand up at dinner parties and start giving recitations, for no other reason than to entertain. Apparently those dinner parties of his were famous for reasons like this.
Yeah, Mark Twain would be an interesting dinner guest.
Without a doubt! And he was experienced at hosting them, so I could defer to his leadership and let myself relax and enjoy. Haha
Ha ha – yes, it was difficult to pick just three! I love that you chose representatives from three eras. Great idea. Mark Twain! Now I see why you cheer him on to beat Austen.
We need to have a Twain/Austen smack-down one of these days…
Haha – I’m game for that, anytime! I do like Jane Austen but… it’s not hard to see where my loyalties are. haha
Interesting choice! And your post made me think of mine… I might let you know one of these days
LOL – Well there’s a cop-out if ever there was one!
And the answer was found!
http://snow-feathers.blogspot.com/2011/10/4-is-not-crowd.html
Excellent!
Great choices…I’d love to be at your dinner, too. These 3 would be in the pool I’d pick from. I think I would have to put 10 or so names in a bowl and just pick 3 because in addition to these 3 Hemingway, Fitzgerald, George Eliot, Edith Wharton, Jane Austen and some others would be in consideration. I’d have to consider how they feel about each other, too. I don’t think Mark Twain and Jane Austen is a great idea….although it make make for an interesting meal! lol
Hemingway and Wharton nearly made my list as well – I think Twain and Austen at the same dinner would be quite amusing.
Oooh I should’ve picked Twain too. Love the guy. But then I opted to make a ladies night of it.
Yeah, and mine is a dude fest! I feel for Wordsworth – I’m not entirely sure how well he would fit in with the company, but I have to believ that both Twain and Vonnegut are 1) familiar with his works and 2) entertaining and engaging in general, so I think we’d survive.
For some reason, I think Kurt Vonnegut and Mark Twain would have been friends if they lived in the same era. Great picks.
I’m not really a Wordsworth fan. I find him rather dull…but I think I’d have loved to have had any of the other Romantics over. Mark Twain would be such a fun guest to have at dinner!…I wonder, if we were allowed another non-literary famous person, how Einstein would’ve fared with Twain. For some reason, in my mind, they seem so much alike!
I’m not familiar with the last writer you’ve mentioned…
Kurt Vonnegut? One of my favorite writers…. he authored Slaughter-House Five, Cat’s Cradle, The Sirens of Titan, Hocus Pocus… among others. I would highly recommend giving him a try. Most people are familiar with Slaughter-House Five (it’s often required reading in High School) but my personal favorite is Cat’s Cradle.
Tough decision! Dante Alighieri, Mary Shelley, and Margaret Atwood. We’d have some dark conversations.