In a time when the world is filled with anxiety and the struggle for freedom, literary achievements can flourish. Like an artist, a writer creates based on the mood and surroundings of their environment. In the first half of the 20th century, this atmosphere was rich with resources that stimulated literary creativity, including the Second World War and the Great Depression (Roache 102: 14). The social climate of the time resulted in an appeal to American life and a focus on freedom, which led to the emergence of original stories and historical themes (Folsom 3: 953). However, the influence of the past remained constant, with common topics including the Civil War and the settlement of the western frontier in the United States (Magill 1: 174). Stephen Vincent Benet, a writer and poet of the 20th century, took all these factors into account. By incorporating the times, his life, and his literature into his work, he contributed to a unified cultural victory for America.
Stephen Vincent Benet was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to James Walker Benet, a career military officer, and Francis Neill Rose Benet on July 22, 1898 (Roache 102: 11, 13). He described himself as a positive-thinking and modest man. His appearance is thin and attractive, and he is vivacious. However, his wife and mother-in-law perceive him as plain and tall, someone who bites his nails excessively and carries a foolish expression. Despite this, they acknowledge his intellect as indescribable (Parsekian 1).
Despite his positive upbringing, it is clear that he was not a foolish person. Benet’s parents had high hopes for his future success and encouraged him to explore books and ideas. They also instilled in him a love for literature and history, which he took very seriously. As a result, all three Benet children, including Stephen Vincent Benet, became poets and authors. The Benet family’s strong connection to their country was also influenced by James’ military work, which required them to travel to various states such as Georgia, California, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Benet was a highly successful individual, as evidenced by his educational background. At the young age of 17, he enrolled in Yale University and concurrently published his debut book. During this period, he established professional connections with New York writers (Roache 102: 13). Benet accomplished his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919 and his Master of Arts degree in 1920 at Yale. Following this, he secured a fellowship opportunity in Paris, where he lived affordably and dedicated himself to writing his inaugural novel, eventually finding his life partner. His aspirations to follow his father’s footsteps in the military were thwarted in 1918, leading him to work for the State Department in Washington, DC before re-enrolling in Yale (Magill 1: 171). Subsequently, in 1929, Benet became a member of the esteemed National Institute of Arts and Letters, a prestigious association that he remained a part of until his demise (Folsom 3: 954).
While attending Yale University, Benet held various positions such as editor, contributor, and chairman of the Yale Literary Magazine. He then went on to become the editor and contributor of the undergraduate humor magazine Yale Record. Additionally, he also worked on S4N, a New Haven magazine focused on poetry. In 1919, Benet collaborated with Monty Wooley to publish a play based on Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine the Great (1590), which was released by Yale University Press. During his graduate studies in England, he published Heavens and Earth as his thesis through Holt in 1920. Benet also worked as a reviewer for the New York Herald Tribune and the Saturday Review of Literature, as well as participated in the Yale Series of Younger Poets competition in 1933. In 1945, he fulfilled his sense of destiny by publishing a collection of radio scripts titled We Stand United, and Other Radio Scripts, which served as a propagandistic war effort (Magill 1: 170).
Another destiny was marriage. He wed Rosemary Carr on November 26, 1921 as part of the fellowship to Paris in 1920. They resided in various cities including Chicago, Paris, Hollywood, and New York (Roache 102: 13). Rosemary Carr, being their only child, possessed a humble nature and never uttered any malicious remarks towards others (Parsekian 1). Together, they had three children namely Stephani Jane (1924), Thomas Carr (1925), and Rachel (1931) (Magill 1: 172).
Benet was a highly popular and widely respected figure. His popularity exceeded that of many renowned writers, including Frost, Eliot, and classical writers. He was frequently invited as a guest to lecture halls and poetry workshops, and his books had impressive sales figures (Griffith 11). In July 1929, he received the Pulitzer Prize for John Brown’s Body and the O. Henry Memorial Award for “The Devil and Daniel Webster” (Roache 102: 14). His work “King David” won The Nation’s poetry prize in 1923 when he was just 25 years old. In addition to these accolades, he also received the Theodore Roosevelt Medal for literary accomplishment in 1933, the Gold Medal for Literature from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and another Pulitzer Prize for Western Star before his death. Unfortunately, Benet experienced a period of poor health from 1930 to 1943, suffering from arthritis of the spine and other illnesses. Overworking eventually led to his hospitalization in 1939 due to a nervous breakdown. On March 13, 1943, at the age of 44, he passed away from a heart attack (Magill 1: 171-172). He was laid to rest in Main Street cemetery in Stenington along with his wife and older daughter (Parsekian 1).
The works of Stephen Vincent Benet are widely regarded as some of the greatest literary and artistic achievements in history. His straightforward approach and ability to relate to readers on a personal level made his short stories particularly engaging (Folsom 3: 953). Through stories like “A Death In the County,” Benet skillfully highlighted both the joys and sorrows of life, demonstrating how one’s past experiences can shape their present (Roache 102: 17). Benet’s poems are also highly regarded for their realistic portrayal of traditions and exceptional patriotism. According to Charles A. Fenton, Benet wrote short stories for financial gain but poured his heart into his poetry (Roache 102: 13, 18).
Benet’s short stories displayed symbolism and humor, adding depth to the narratives. He also utilized a historical background to convey realism and promote a certain viewpoint. Through dialogue, he was able to individualize characters without distracting readers. In “Freedom’s a Hard-Bought Thing,” Benet used biblical stories and parables as symbols for slaves achieving freedom. The content of his stories primarily focused on patriotism and the desires of the common man, aligning with their financial needs. In “Johnnie Pye and the Fool-Killer,” Benet initially narrates directly before transitioning into dialect. The theme of this story explores the enduring presence of youth and naive predictions. Benet’s themes spanned from ideological concerns in “Fantasies and Prophesies” to human reality in “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and tragicomic ironies in “A Story By Angela Poe.” When it came to poetry, Benet employed local humor and concise phrases, as seen in “The Mountain Whippoorwill.” In his epic poem “John Brown’s Body,” the content remained consistent with his short stories. Benet’s writing reflected his historical upbringing, evident in both his historical writings and poetry. The themes explored in his poetry varied widely, with the most successful being the novel-length “John Brown’s Body,” which focused on American victory.This poem, which was paid for at a high level, proved to be well worth the wait. Stephen Vincent Benet, the author, received a Pulitzer Prize for it and brought his own version of history to the forefront (Magill 1: 170,174). In addition to writing books and poems, Benet also crafted radio scripts and plays. His editing and contributions to American literature, along with his American heritage, may have been an even greater gift than anyone could have hoped for. Benet utilized knowledge as his power, which ultimately propelled American literature to reach such high standards. Therefore, if Stephen Vincent Benet’s times, life, and literary works are as influential and knowledgeable as an American force, then the victory achieved for American poetry and prose is undeniable
Category: Biographies
