Good day, readers. Today is June 1st, the 153rd day of the year 2024, with 213 days remaining.
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.
Alan Watts
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1949, George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, was published. This groundbreaking work has become a cornerstone of modern literature, exploring themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and individuality. Its insights into power and control continue to resonate and provoke discussion around the world.
Notable Birthdays:
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, was an American actress, model, and singer. Though more famous for her films and iconic status, Monroe also wrote poetry and personal reflections that reveal a different side to her public persona, offering deeper insights into her thoughts and emotions.
Today’s Readings:
From 1984 by George Orwell: “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 1st, 1967, The Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released. The album’s innovative style and themes influenced not just music but also literature and pop culture, inspiring authors and artists to push the boundaries of creativity and conventional formats.
Poem of the Day:
“Remember” by Christina Rossetti:
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
This moving sonnet by Christina Rossetti deals with the themes of memory and loss, urging the reader to remember her fondly but not to be burdened by her absence.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Alan Watts’ view on change, embrace the transformations within your writing and personal growth. Let your creative process reflect a dance with the ever-changing dynamics of life, adapting and flourishing in the flow of new ideas and perspectives.
Have a dynamic and transformative day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your engagement with the world be as enriching as it is enlightening.
Orwell was a genius. While the novels are better known, I wish more people read his essays, which are so brilliant!
Totally agree! 🙂