Comparison Of Alice B. Toklas And Emily Carr's Indiana Church

When reading literature, one can find ways to connect what they are reading to other aspects of their life and draw comparisons between the two. For example, literature tends to develop from themes that are relevant in a writer’s personal life that also happen to be occurring in the reader’s life. More specifically, art and literature often go hand in hand and tell similar stories while using different mediums. A city such as Paris with its rich history of artists and lavishly abundant museums lends itself many opportunities to experience these types of similarities. Particularly, Musee d’Orsay’s Mystical Landscapes exhibit highlighted countless pieces that were left open for interpretation. Moreover, a well-known author who resided in Paris

Toklas also leaves the reader with many different thoughts and impressions. Emily Carr’s Indiana Church found on display in the Musee d’Orsay and Stein’s The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas have certain similarities between the two and create new insights into the other’s work. At first glance, Emily Carr’s painting Indiana Church strikes you due to its simple yet in-depth illustration. The stark, white church stands out against the deep green leaves, creating an allusion of a bright light of hope in the woods of darkness. The uplifting elements of this painting relate to Stein’s theme of war in her novel. As she and Toklas are attempting to help wounded soldiers, they appear to be the shimmer of hope among all the death experienced by the soldiers. Throughout her novel, Stein continuously provides glimpses into the horrors of the war.

In terms of these two artists, Carr and Stein, the common ground they share is the idea of criticism. Since Carr was criticized her entire life, she did not take compliments very well. On one occasion, an artist highly praised Indiana Church, stating it was incomparable to all other pieces of art. Despite this overwhelming approval, Carr was unable to accept the compliment. While Carr did not take compliments very well, Stein did not take criticism very well. For example, in Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast he states, “In the three or four years that we were good friends I cannot remember Gertrude Stein ever speaking well of any writer who had not written favorably about her work or done something to advance her career” (Hemingway 59). This was a very interesting insight made by Hemingway because it almost seems uncharacteristic of Stein since she was so focused on helping people. If someone did not read this Hemingway novel, they may be left with the impression that she can take criticism. However, that does not seem to be the case. In a way, Gertrude Stein’s annual Saturday night gatherings at 27 rue de Fleurus was a way for her to seek praise. Everyone from Picasso and Matisse to those Stein barely knew came to indulge in her unique art collection and they often raved about it. In one excerpt Stein writes, “The Saturday evenings in those early days were frequented by