Alice B. Toklas (left) and Gertrude Stein (right) walking their dog, Basket
I actually find it a bit interesting how Gertrude and Toklas seem far-removed at times from the war – it magnifies how many were made to vacate Paris for the war, which is odd as I seldom think in terms of Paris ever having been directly inflicted by war. This somewhat morose mood of the war is in such stark contrast to that surrounding Gertrude’s festive art parties at 27 rue de Fleurus.
We are able to experience some of the anxiety Gertrude and Toklas feel during the war, seen on page 157, in the incident where Gertrude wakes Toklas, coaxing her downstairs to safety after hearing the alarm. I sense that Gertrude is worried and concerned for Toklas as she ushers her to safety and comforts her with a blanket. Toklas reveals her fear as she writes “I must say I would not have believed it was true that knees knocked together as described in poetry and prose if it had not happened to me” (p 157), which indicates how serious of a situation it was to hear nearby bombing.
I also detect how saddened by the war both Gertrude and Toklas are at times and how it may have impacted their lives based on remarks of how empty and dark Paris is and how long and dreary the winter of 1914-1915 is (p 156), as well as their desire to work for the American Fund for French Wounded. Gertrude is also seemingly greatly inspired by the war, as Toklas comments that most of Gertrude’s writings during this period are war-related.
After reading Chapter 6, I do have questions regarding the banking transactions and passports, etc. For instance, on page 154, Toklas mentions that she and Gertrude must be weighed and measured when they go to pick up the money sent to them by Gertrude’s cousin and Toklas’ father. Why is this? Is it some sort of measure to prevent smuggling of coin or something? I do not understand this (and haven’t researched yet). Also, I realize that times have changed a bit with regard to the regulation of passports; however, why is it they seem to be able to travel to and fro between countries with “…papers…so overpowering that there were no delays…” mentioned on page 155 when speaking of Mrs. Whitehead? Were passports convenient to have, but not necessary as long as one had a stellar letter of reference from the best and most important person?
Looking forward to getting some answers!
(FYI: Found the above photo widely available through Google Images and thought it was interesting!)
We are able to experience some of the anxiety Gertrude and Toklas feel during the war, seen on page 157, in the incident where Gertrude wakes Toklas, coaxing her downstairs to safety after hearing the alarm. I sense that Gertrude is worried and concerned for Toklas as she ushers her to safety and comforts her with a blanket. Toklas reveals her fear as she writes “I must say I would not have believed it was true that knees knocked together as described in poetry and prose if it had not happened to me” (p 157), which indicates how serious of a situation it was to hear nearby bombing.
I also detect how saddened by the war both Gertrude and Toklas are at times and how it may have impacted their lives based on remarks of how empty and dark Paris is and how long and dreary the winter of 1914-1915 is (p 156), as well as their desire to work for the American Fund for French Wounded. Gertrude is also seemingly greatly inspired by the war, as Toklas comments that most of Gertrude’s writings during this period are war-related.
After reading Chapter 6, I do have questions regarding the banking transactions and passports, etc. For instance, on page 154, Toklas mentions that she and Gertrude must be weighed and measured when they go to pick up the money sent to them by Gertrude’s cousin and Toklas’ father. Why is this? Is it some sort of measure to prevent smuggling of coin or something? I do not understand this (and haven’t researched yet). Also, I realize that times have changed a bit with regard to the regulation of passports; however, why is it they seem to be able to travel to and fro between countries with “…papers…so overpowering that there were no delays…” mentioned on page 155 when speaking of Mrs. Whitehead? Were passports convenient to have, but not necessary as long as one had a stellar letter of reference from the best and most important person?
Looking forward to getting some answers!
(FYI: Found the above photo widely available through Google Images and thought it was interesting!)
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