Ralph Waldo Emerson's first wife, Ellen, died in 1831. Richardson says "Ellen's death caught Emerson without any personal (that is to say, earned) defenses against loss.... As time passed, he kept her memory sacret - she became for him an ideal, as Beatrice had for Dante -- but the also strove to prevent himself from ever having to endure such another loss."
Ellen had been associated in Emerson's mind with strong, self-effacing religious faith right from the start. Their engagement, their wedding, her death, and -- from now on -- her memory were always associated with private statements of faith and dependence, with feelings of humility, unearned happiness, and with an impulse toward prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment