Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein: More Than Just Brownies and Avant-Garde
Alice B. Toklas is a name you might know. Perhaps it’s due to the famous "Alice B. Toklas brownies." However, her story goes much deeper. It’s linked with another literary giant, Gertrude Stein. They were the ultimate duo in 20th-century Paris art and literature. Let’s explore their world.
Movies That Dabble in the Toklas-Stein Universe
Hollywood has, occasionally, recognized Alice B. Toklas. There aren’t blockbuster biopics yet, but some films deserve a mention.
I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968)
This film is a quirky comedy. Picture Peter Sellers as Harold Fine, an uptight lawyer. He’s engaged to Joyce and life seems boring. Then Nancy arrives, his brother's hippie girlfriend. She brings "special" brownies. Not regular brownies; these are marijuana-infused. Harold leaves Joyce and embarks on a wild adventure with Nancy. He finds that a free-spirited life has its challenges. The brownies reference the famous cookbook and the 1960s counterculture.
Waiting for the Moon (1987)
This movie is artsy, not a typical biopic. Waiting for the Moon gives a fictional glimpse into Gertrude and Alice’s lives. It focuses on a tumultuous year for the couple while Gertrude fears she has a disease. This film explores their relationship under strain. It captures the emotional depth between them rather than strict historical accuracy.
Alice B. Toklas Brownies: More Than Just a Movie Prop
The "Alice B. Toklas brownies" are not just a gag. They symbolize a cultural moment and refer to Toklas's renowned cookbook. In I Love You, Alice B. Toklas, they spark Harold’s change. They represent rebellion against conventional expectations. It’s more entertaining than admitting a mid-life crisis.
Alice B. Toklas: The Woman Behind the Legend (and Beside Gertrude)
Alice B. Toklas often takes a back seat in stories about Gertrude Stein. However, she was essential in Stein's life and work. Let’s explore Alice further.
Her Many Hats: More Than Just a Housekeeper
Toklas is typically seen as Stein’s housekeeper, cook, typist, and friend. True, she held these roles, but she was much more. Being called merely a "housekeeper" undervalues her contributions. Toklas was vital in keeping their Parisian salon flourishing. She typed Stein’s complex manuscripts and managed publishing communications.
A Bird-like Figure with a Certain...Je Ne Sais Quoi
James Merrill described Toklas's appearance well. He noted her petite stature, sandals, moustache, and unique eyes. What amazed him was her charm in conversation. Toklas had a small frame but an engaging presence. She captivated those around her with her voice and personality.
The Partnership with Gertrude Stein: Opposites Attract (and Write Avant-Garde Literature)
Toklas’s life changed when she moved in with Gertrude Stein. She became Gertrude’s lover and partner. Their backgrounds were very different. This contrast in upbringing added dynamism to their relationship. They were not just lovers; they were collaborators in literary history.
Gertrude Stein: The Genius, the Enigma, the Legend
Gertrude Stein resonates with notions of Parisian salons, avant-garde art, and writing that splits opinions. She evokes strong reactions which makes her fascinating.
A Genius? Or Just Plain Obscure?
Gertrude Stein is often labeled a "genius." This label carries weight. As noted in a piece from The New York Times, Stein's genius influences how her work is perceived. Her writing is sometimes challenging and perplexing. Enthusiasts admire her innovative methods, while others find her nonsensical. Love her or hate her, she pushed literary boundaries.
Exuberance, Courage, and a Dash of Rule-Breaking
Gertrude Stein showcased exuberance and bravery in her life and art. She followed her own rules during a time of strict societal expectations for women. Stein openly lived as a lesbian, weaving it into her work’s themes. She paved the way for discussion of same-sex love.
From San Francisco Fortune to Parisian Patronage
Stein was not a starving artist; she came from wealth. Her family thrived in San Francisco real estate and streetcars. Gertrude wisely invested her inheritance. She bought works by Matisse and Picasso before they were famous, showing immense foresight. The Stein family wealth supported their passion for art.
Stein and Hemingway: Mentor, Muse, and...Frenemies?
The relationship between Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway is legendary but complicated. In her memoir, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, Stein shares stark opinions of Hemingway. She found him "physically frail” and claimed to teach him writing basics. While their bond cooled, Hemingway valued her early mentorship.
Picasso and Stein: A Meeting of Minds, a New Language
Gertrude Stein’s friendships extended beyond writers. Her partnership with Pablo Picasso was significant. They were not just friends; they collaborated to create a new artistic language. They both explored fragmentation and perspective, changing their fields. Stein sat for many iconic portraits by Picasso.
Stein's Writings: From Moonlight to...Well, Gertrude Stein
Stein’s writing is distinct. One accessible poem, "A Light in the Moon," contrasts with works like Tender Buttons or The Making of Americans, which are dense and experimental. Readers view her as either a genius or an enigma, shaping opinions about her writing style.
Gertrude Stein changed modern literature. Her influence is clear. She disrupted traditional narrative forms. She delved into the sounds and rhythms of language in innovative ways.
Famous Last Words (and the Questions They Provoke)
Stein’s last words are famous. Faced with death, she asked, “What is the answer?” When no reply came, she followed with, “In that case, what is the question?” These final words reflect her playful intellect and love for language. It's philosophical and witty for a woman who constantly questioned.
Stein in Nazi-Occupied France: A Controversial Survival
The War raised troubling questions about Stein's life. As a Jewish woman in Nazi France, she kept her lifestyle and art collection. She managed to stay safe due to Bernard Faÿ, a powerful Vichy collaborator. This period is ethically complex, reflecting compromise in wartime. Even literary heroes face difficult choices.
The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas: A Bestseller in Disguise
Stein's most famous work isn’t about her. It's The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. Released in 1933, this memoir quickly became a bestseller. It made Stein a global figure. Written from Toklas’s view yet in Stein’s voice, it humorously shows their Paris life and modern art’s rise. Ironically, Stein's success came through Toklas's narrative.
Gertrude and Alice: A Partnership for the Ages
Stein and Toklas were a dynamic duo. They led a vibrant Paris salon, hosting artists and thinkers. Imagine their dinner table discussions on “art, genius, sex, fame, and love.” They were literary icons, but also partners. Their close bond shaped 20th-century cultural history.
A Quick Detour: Other Movies That Share a Name (But Not Much Else)
While discussing movies, let's acknowledge some that share names but differ greatly from Stein or Toklas.
Meet My Valentine (2015)
This film pulls at the heartstrings. A man discovers he has little time left and reconnects with his wife. Prepare for tears.
Valentine (2001)
Beware! A slasher film! Best friends face danger from a vengeful figure on Valentine’s Day. This is no romantic comedy.
Meet Cute (2022)
A rom-com with time travel. A woman re-enacts perfect date nights to “fix” her boyfriend. Spoiler: time meddling rarely ends well.
My Bloody Valentine (1981 & 2009)
This horror film involves a mining disaster and a killer named Harry Warden. Valentine's Day is not safe in movies.
Miscellaneous Musings: Moustaches and...Gertrude Elion?
Hang tight; we're almost finished. Here are a couple of intriguing points to consider.
The Mighty Moustache: Freedom and Facial Hair
Moustaches, particularly pencil ones, matter. They may nod to Toklas’s own facial hair. Moustaches symbolize freedom and individuality. They add character to one's face. Famous figures like Bud Abbott and Prince wore this style. It’s both classic and rebellious.
Gertrude Elion: A Different Kind of Genius
Finally, here’s a twist: Gertrude Elion. She isn’t Stein but is noteworthy. Elion was a brilliant biochemist and Nobel laureate. Her work transformed medicine, impacting leukemia, herpes, and transplant rejection treatments. Though not literary, Elion's life story fascinates: her accolades, struggles, family, and legacy highlight remarkable women in various fields. These Gertrudes truly made waves.
There you have it. A fast-paced exploration of Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein, plus some fun movie references and moustache lore. I hope you now appreciate their legacy more and perhaps crave a brownie—though, maybe not the “special” variety.
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