Gertrude Stein

Karen Leick (Ohio State University)
Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

The vast majority of studies about Gertrude Stein begin by announcing the curious fact that she is primarily notable as a personality, celebrity or icon and seldom has been, at least until her recuperation in the last several decades, taken seriously as a writer. Stein is well-known for her phrase “a rose is a rose is a rose” and frequently described by epithets like: “widely ridiculed and seldom enjoyed” and “most publicized but least-read writer” of the twentieth century. Many critics have attempted to explain Stein's unusual reception, particularly because it differs considerably from other modernist writers who successfully achieved canonical status in their own lifetimes (Joyce, Eliot, Proust, Woolf). Some critics argue that Stein's work was ahead of its time and should…

2094 words

Citation: Leick, Karen. "Gertrude Stein". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 March 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4206, accessed 19 March 2024.]

4206 Gertrude Stein 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

If you need to create a new bookshelf to save this article in, please make sure that you are logged in, then go to your 'Account' here

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.