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May Sarton on Writing, Solitude, and Mythology

For many readers, Sarton is a heroic figure for her decision to expose her lesbianism in the early 60s, long before society was tolerant of the gay life. She has chosen to live a life of solitude. The author of over 35 novels, books of poetry and essays, Sarton is probably best known for her journals, Recovering, and At Seventy. Her most recent book of poems, The Silence Now, explores aging, AIDS, and world peace.

21:53
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Other segments from the episode on January 18, 1991

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 18, 1991: Interview with May Sarton; Interview with Mercer Ellington; Commentary on jingoism during wartime.
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15:30

Catching Up with Mercer Ellington

Band leader and composer Mercer Ellington is the son of Duke Ellington, and leads the Duke Ellington Band. As a young man, Mercer Ellington played trombone, French horn and trumpet in his father's ensemble. Two recent Mercer Ellington albums have won wide acclaim: "Digital Duke" and "For Ellington," performed by the Modern Jazz Quartet.

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04:07

Jingoism's Ties to Wartime and Colonialism

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on the jingoistic language of the Gulf Crisis. That style of discourse is closely linked to pro-war sentiments during the period of British colonialism.

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23:07

May Sarton Discusses Solitude and Mythology in Her Writing.

Writer May Sarton. For many readers, Sarton is a heroic figure for her decision to expose her lesbianism in the early 60s, long before it society was tolerant of the gay life, and also for her decision to lead a life of solitude. The author of over 35 novels, books of poetry and essays, Sarton is probably best known for her journals, Recovering, and At Seventy. Her most recent book of poems, The Silence Now, explores themes from the solitude of the aging, to AIDS, to world peace.

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