José Maria De Heredia
This biography focuses on the life of José María de Heredia, a Cuban poet who was born into a wealthy family and educated in France. He became involved with the French Revolution of 1848 and later moved to Paris where he befriended notable writers such as Baudelaire and Gautier.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1861 · Genre: Biography, Literary Criticism, Poetry · 1,807 words
First lines
The French have a phrase "la beauté du verbe" by which they would express a something in the sound and in the arrangement of words which supplements whatever mere thought those words were intended to express. It is evident that no definition of this beauty can be given, but it is also evident that without it letters would not exist. How it arises we cannot explain, yet the process is familiar to us in everything we do when we are attempting to fulfil an impulse towards whatever is good. An integration not of many small things but of an infinite series of infinitely small things build up the perfect gesture, the perfect line, the perfect intonation, and the perfect phrase. So indeed are all things significant built up: every tone of the voice, every arrangement of landscape or of notes in music which awake us and reveal the things beyond. But when one says that this is especially true of perfect expression one means that sometimes, rarely, the integration achieves a steadfast and sufficient formula. The mind is satisfied rather than replete. It asks no more; and if it desires to enjoy further the pleasure such completion has given it, it does not attempt to prolong or to develop the pleasure under which it has leapt; it is content to wait a while and to return, knowing well that it has here a treasure laid up for ever.
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José Maria De Heredia is listed on Textopian as an essay by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1861 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1861 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Literary Criticism, Poetry, Cultural Commentary, Philosophy
- Length: 1,807 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for José Maria De Heredia by Hilaire Belloc
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Genres
- Biography — The text provides a detailed account of José Maria de Heredia's life, work, and influence, focusing on his personal history and literary contributions.
- Literary Criticism — The work analyzes Heredia's poetry, his style, and his place in literary history, offering critical insights into his artistic achievements.
- Poetry — While not a collection of poems, the text discusses Heredia's poetic works and their significance, reflecting on the nature of poetry itself.
- Cultural Commentary — The text comments on the broader cultural and historical context of Heredia's work, including the influence of French and Spanish literary traditions.
Tags
Biography · Poetry · French Literature · 19th Century · Spanish Culture · Literary Criticism · Historical Figure · Romanticism · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature · Love