Question

Choose and write a biography of your favourite writer/poet. Look at Activity 4b-​

Answer 1

Відповідь:

Arthur Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930)  was a British writer and medical doctor. A famous British writer best known by the series of books about Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes stories have been translated into more than fifty languages. Doyle was a prolific writer; other than Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger. By 1920 Doyle was one of the most highly paid writers in the world.

His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, was born in England, of Irish Catholic descent, and his mother, Mary, was Irish Catholic. he future writer had to grow in a strange family, as his father suffered from alcoholism and had psychological problems. When the boy was 9, some rich relatives offered to pay his education at a noble Jesuit college. From 1875 to 1876, he was educated at the Jesuit school Stella Matutina in Feldkirch, Austria. He later rejected the Catholic faith and became an agnostic. In 1876, he graduated from college and returned to his native Edinburgh. From 1876 to 1881, Doyle studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School.

The first story that he wrote was “The Mystery of Sasassa Valley”. His first work featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, A Study in Scarlet, was written in three weeks when he was 27.

Doyle played footbal. In 1885 Doyle married Louisa  Hawkins. Louisa suffered from tuberculosis. In 1907, the year after Louisa's death, he married Jean Elizabeth Leckie. Doyle fathered five children.

During the World War I, Doyle lost many friends and close relatives. In the early 1920s, he took up spiritualism and lectured this science in many countries. His last book “The Maracot Deep and Other Stories” was written in 1929. The writer died on July 7th, 1930 of a heart attack.

Пояснення:

Answer 2

Title: The Pen's Melody: A Biography of Emily Dickinson

Introduction: Emily Dickinson, a reclusive yet brilliant American poet, continues to captivate readers with her profound insights, evocative language, and unconventional style. Born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts, Dickinson's unique voice and poetic genius have made her one of the most celebrated and influential writers in American literature. This biography delves into the life, works, and enduring legacy of Emily Dickinson, revealing the enigmatic world behind her verses.

Early Life and Education: Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was the second child of Edward Dickinson and Emily Norcross Dickinson. Raised in a prominent and affluent family, Emily grew up in the town of Amherst, surrounded by a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. Despite her privileged background, Emily was often described as an introverted and introspective child, known for her keen observations and love for nature.

Dickinson's formal education began at the Amherst Academy, where she excelled academically. Her inquisitive mind and passion for literature flourished during her time at the school. However, her formal education came to an abrupt end when she enrolled at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary but withdrew after just one year.

Life of Seclusion: Following her brief stint at Mount Holyoke, Dickinson returned to Amherst, where she lived the majority of her life as a recluse. Her social withdrawal, while intriguing, remains shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that it was due to her disillusionment with societal expectations for women, while others believe it was a conscious choice to create a space for her creative pursuits.

Writing and Poetic Style: During her seclusion, Dickinson honed her poetic craft, penning nearly 1,800 poems in her lifetime. However, she remained relatively unknown during her lifetime, with only a handful of her poems published anonymously. It was not until after her death in 1886 that her sister, Lavinia, discovered her extensive collection of poems.

Dickinson's poetic style is characterized by her innovative use of punctuation, capitalization, and unconventional rhyme schemes. Her poems often explore themes of nature, love, death, spirituality, and the human condition. With her concise and powerful language, she crafted verses that continue to resonate with readers, captivating them with her profound insights and emotive imagery.

Legacy and Influence: Posthumously, Emily Dickinson's work gained recognition and acclaim. Her unique poetic style and thematic exploration inspired countless poets and writers in the years that followed. Her impact on American literature cannot be overstated, as her poetry continues to be studied, analyzed, and celebrated for its profound depth and revolutionary style.

Conclusion: Emily Dickinson, the enigmatic poet from Amherst, carved a permanent place in literary history with her unmatched poetic genius. Despite her seclusion, her words have spoken volumes, touching the hearts and minds of readers across generations. The depth of her introspection, combined with her innovative use of language and form, sets her apart as a true literary pioneer. Emily Dickinson's legacy endures as a testament to the power of words and the boundless imagination of a remarkable poet.