Famous Love Letters

Famous Love Letters Famous Love Letters Famous Love Letters

words by: Molly Govuswords by: Molly Govuswords by: Molly Govus design by: May Collinsdesign by: May Collinsdesign by: May Collins

In this day and age, there is an ever-growing lack of In this day and age, there is an ever-growing lack of In this day and age, there is an ever-growing lack of need for a traditional letter. We very rarely put our need for a traditional letter. We very rarely put our need for a traditional letter. We very rarely put our own words into writing anymore, due to electronic own words into writing anymore, due to electronic own words into writing anymore, due to electronic and technological advancements. There is now and technological advancements. There is now and technological advancements. There is now ease of communication and a growing sense of ease of communication and a growing sense of ease of communication and a growing sense of time urgency to convey a message. It is a shame, time urgency to convey a message. It is a shame, time urgency to convey a message. It is a shame, really. There is something wonderfully intimate really. There is something wonderfully intimate really. There is something wonderfully intimate about putting pen to paper: the time it takes, the about putting pen to paper: the time it takes, the about putting pen to paper: the time it takes, the thought processes behind it and the shadow of thought processes behind it and the shadow of thought processes behind it and the shadow of personality behind the handwriting. When we personality behind the handwriting. When we personality behind the handwriting. When we consider all these things about letters, there is consider all these things about letters, there is consider all these things about letters, there is no wonder why the following love letters continue no wonder why the following love letters continue no wonder why the following love letters continue to tug on our heartstrings even years after being to tug on our heartstrings even years after being to tug on our heartstrings even years after being written. written. written.

Johnny Cash was one of the most influential Johnny Cash was one of the most influential Johnny Cash was one of the most influential country and blues singers of the 20th century. country and blues singers of the 20th century. country and blues singers of the 20th century. Born to poor cotton farmers in Arkansas and Born to poor cotton farmers in Arkansas and Born to poor cotton farmers in Arkansas and building his way up, his ‘Hello, I’m Johnny Cash’ building his way up, his ‘Hello, I’m Johnny Cash’ building his way up, his ‘Hello, I’m Johnny Cash’ to introduce himself in front of audiences of to introduce himself in front of audiences of to introduce himself in front of audiences of thousands has become a well-known trademark. thousands has become a well-known trademark. thousands has become a well-known trademark. His love story with June Carter is one that only His love story with June Carter is one that only His love story with June Carter is one that only fairy tales can describe; both being singers, they fairy tales can describe; both being singers, they fairy tales can describe; both being singers, they met backstage and he proposed during a live met backstage and he proposed during a live met backstage and he proposed during a live performance in London, Ontario. Published as performance in London, Ontario. Published as performance in London, Ontario. Published as the greatest love letter of all time by readers of the greatest love letter of all time by readers of the greatest love letter of all time by readers of the Daily Mail, Cash’s letter to June on her 65th the Daily Mail, Cash’s letter to June on her 65th the Daily Mail, Cash’s letter to June on her 65th birthday has gone down in history and made them birthday has gone down in history and made them birthday has gone down in history and made them one of country music’s most influential couples. one of country music’s most influential couples. one of country music’s most influential couples.

‘You still fascinate and inspire me . . . You’re the object of my ‘You still fascinate and inspire me . . . You’re the object of my ‘You still fascinate and inspire me . . . You’re the object of my desire, the one Earthly reason for my existence.’ desire, the one Earthly reason for my existence.’ desire, the one Earthly reason for my existence.’

The pair continued to perform together for the The pair continued to perform together for the The pair continued to perform together for the rest of their musical careers, including amazing rest of their musical careers, including amazing rest of their musical careers, including amazing songs like Jackson, It Ain’t Me Babe and If I Were songs like Jackson, It Ain’t Me Babe and If I Were songs like Jackson, It Ain’t Me Babe and If I Were a Carpenter. They stayed together performing a Carpenter. They stayed together performing a Carpenter. They stayed together performing and in love until June’s death in May 2003. Even and in love until June’s death in May 2003. Even and in love until June’s death in May 2003. Even then, after her death, Cash continued to write then, after her death, Cash continued to write then, after her death, Cash continued to write letters to June: letters to June: letters to June:

‘But now she’s an angel and I’m not. Now she’s an angel and ‘But now she’s an angel and I’m not. Now she’s an angel and ‘But now she’s an angel and I’m not. Now she’s an angel and I’m not.’ I’m not.’ I’m not.’

In 2003, Cash reminisced on the fact that June In 2003, Cash reminisced on the fact that June In 2003, Cash reminisced on the fact that June and his music were the only reason to stay alive. and his music were the only reason to stay alive. and his music were the only reason to stay alive. Johnny Cash died shortly after June’s death at Johnny Cash died shortly after June’s death at Johnny Cash died shortly after June’s death at age 71 in September 2003, just four months after age 71 in September 2003, just four months after age 71 in September 2003, just four months after his late wife. Whilst this is heart-breaking, one can his late wife. Whilst this is heart-breaking, one can his late wife. Whilst this is heart-breaking, one can find comfort in the fact that they found each other find comfort in the fact that they found each other find comfort in the fact that they found each other again, and that this is truly a love story for the again, and that this is truly a love story for the again, and that this is truly a love story for the ages. We should count ourselves lucky that we ages. We should count ourselves lucky that we ages. We should count ourselves lucky that we have evidence of this brilliant love. For example, have evidence of this brilliant love. For example, have evidence of this brilliant love. For example, when Cash was asked what his definition of when Cash was asked what his definition of when Cash was asked what his definition of paradise, he answered: paradise, he answered: paradise, he answered:

‘This morning, with her, having coffee.’ ‘This morning, with her, having coffee.’ ‘This morning, with her, having coffee.’

I think that says it all. I think that says it all. I think that says it all.

Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Zelda and F. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Zelda and F. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a great deal of love letters Scott Fitzgerald wrote a great deal of love letters Scott Fitzgerald wrote a great deal of love letters to each other. From both novelists, their literary to each other. From both novelists, their literary to each other. From both novelists, their literary wit and tumultuous relationship shine through the wit and tumultuous relationship shine through the wit and tumultuous relationship shine through the pages even to this day. Fitzgerald, widely known pages even to this day. Fitzgerald, widely known pages even to this day. Fitzgerald, widely known for his writing of The Great Gatsby, alludes to for his writing of The Great Gatsby, alludes to for his writing of The Great Gatsby, alludes to the ups-and-downs of their chaotic relationship. the ups-and-downs of their chaotic relationship. the ups-and-downs of their chaotic relationship. Whilst Fitzgerald was writing the novel, Zelda had Whilst Fitzgerald was writing the novel, Zelda had Whilst Fitzgerald was writing the novel, Zelda had become infatuated with another man. This rings become infatuated with another man. This rings become infatuated with another man. This rings true to the sexual infidelity, inherent jealousy, and true to the sexual infidelity, inherent jealousy, and true to the sexual infidelity, inherent jealousy, and passion within one of the world’s best novels. passion within one of the world’s best novels. passion within one of the world’s best novels. Despite this, whilst chaotic, their relationship Despite this, whilst chaotic, their relationship Despite this, whilst chaotic, their relationship remains strong through their ability to write. For remains strong through their ability to write. For remains strong through their ability to write. For example, Zelda’s letters to Fitzgerald explore example, Zelda’s letters to Fitzgerald explore example, Zelda’s letters to Fitzgerald explore intense metaphors and figurative language, intense metaphors and figurative language, intense metaphors and figurative language,

literaturelitrature‘This morning, with her, having coffee.’

I think that says it all. I think that says it all.

describing how she wishes to feel describing how she wishes to feel their ‘water-weighted hair flow behind their ‘water-weighted hair flow behind us from a dive.’ Adding to this, Zelda’s us from a dive.’ Adding to this, Zelda’s eccentric personality shines through eccentric personality shines through in one particular letter: in one particular letter:

‘I love you most in the eternal classic half‘I love you most in the eternal classic halflights where it blends with day or in the full lights where it blends with day or in the full religious fan-fare of mid-night or perhaps in the religious fan-fare of mid-night or perhaps in the religious fan-fare of mid-night or perhaps in the lux of noon.’ lux of noon.’ lux of noon.’

It doesn’t take much to note the It doesn’t take much to note the symbolism present within her letters symbolism present within her letters to Fitzgerald, with the blatant imagery to Fitzgerald, with the blatant imagery of half-light. It connotes the inevitable of half-light. It connotes the inevitable good and bad in their relationship, good and bad in their relationship, especially mentioning her love for especially mentioning her love for another man. Regardless, I think another man. Regardless, I think the ‘half-light’ signifies a love always the ‘half-light’ signifies a love always being there between the two, and being there between the two, and always being present. One of the always being present. One of the most beautiful lines of her letters, in most beautiful lines of her letters, in a collection from Bloomsbury, The a collection from Bloomsbury, The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald:

‘I walked on those telephone wires for two hours ‘I walked on those telephone wires for two hours after holding your love like a parasol to after holding your love like a parasol to balance me.’ balance me.’ balance me.’

This metaphor and this imagery say a This metaphor and this imagery say a lot about love and still ring true to the lot about love and still ring true to the modern age. We hold on to what we modern age. We hold on to what we like and hope it will carry us through like and hope it will carry us through for the foreseeable future, in any for the foreseeable future, in any relationship. This may have changed relationship. This may have changed from love letters to texts and phone from love letters to texts and phone calls, but the sentiment remains true. calls, but the sentiment remains true. As much as Zelda and Fitzgerald’s As much as Zelda and Fitzgerald’s relationship may have been difficult, relationship may have been difficult, there is clear love written between there is clear love written between the lines of these letters, to the point the lines of these letters, to the point where Zelda can only describe the where Zelda can only describe the love in figurative language. love in figurative language.

The two love letters I’ve explored The two love letters I’ve explored are extremely different – we have are extremely different – we have Cash’s love letter that screams Cash’s love letter that screams normalcy and ‘perfect love’. I feel normalcy and ‘perfect love’. I feel like this is represented through the like this is represented through the casualness of their letters; there is casualness of their letters; there is no figurative language, no metaphors no figurative language, no metaphors or symbolism. Cash says how it is in or symbolism. Cash says how it is in his relationship with June. Arguably, his relationship with June. Arguably, because it isn’t needed. Alternatively, because it isn’t needed. Alternatively, The Fitzgerald’s display letters filled to The Fitzgerald’s display letters filled to the brim of metaphor and symbolism. the brim of metaphor and symbolism. This may be due to their literary This may be due to their literary backgrounds, or maybe because backgrounds, or maybe because Zelda felt she had more to show for, Zelda felt she had more to show for, due to their past as a couple. due to their past as a couple.

Regardless of this, love letters saved Regardless of this, love letters saved throughout history have provided throughout history have provided us with a brilliant insight into past us with a brilliant insight into past relationships. Regardless, of what relationships. Regardless, of what their relationship was truly like, the their relationship was truly like, the love letters are timelessly beautiful. love letters are timelessly beautiful.

literature LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS 41 REPRESENTATiON iN LiTERATURE

words by: Summer Griffin design by: May Collins

When we read novels, we inevitably search for pieces of ourselves in the characters on the page. Ian McEwan’s Sweet Tooth protagonist sums it up well: “I was the basest of readers. All I wanted was my own world, and myself in it, given back to me in artful shapes and accessible form.” An important part of our world, is the relationships we form with others around us. Therefore, if novels repeatedly only represent heterosexual relationships, then this is what we will grow to believe we should be looking for. Sadly, this has always been the truth for LGBTQ+ readers.

As a bisexual woman in my twenties, I grew up reading love stories about straight couples. There was every kind of straight couple imaginable ready to tell their story, but when it came to the representation of gay and lesbian relationships, it was few and far between. It may not seem particularly important to be able to relate to a character in a story, however, when you notice the absence of representation you begin to feel as if you are not normal and that relationships like the ones that you imagine for yourself never really happen. The fairy tales and picture books that I would read as a child would never feature any LGBTQ+ characters. To many, whether the mums and dads shown in these books with their children are gay or straight might not matter. Some might disagree with the representation of LGBTQ+ relationships in children’s books, if it does not fit with their views of traditional family dynamics. However, this representation could not be more important for LGBTQ+ parents and their children. Children growing up with LGBTQ+ parents deserve to see families like their own in the stories we tell them.

However, things are changing. Throughout my teenage years, I gradually discovered more and more young adult authors releasing novels focusing on young LGBTQ+ characters and relationships. I found stories showing the lives and struggles of a large variety of teenagers who were trans, gay, and lesbian. The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson tells the story of David Piper, a young transgender girl and her experience of summoning up the courage to come out to her family. The Miseducation of Cameron Post follows the story of a young girl in Montana, whose family discover that she is in a relationship with another girl and send her to a gay conversion camp. In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, we explore the anonymous email relationship between Simon, a closeted gay teenager, and a second unknown closeted student. The

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LGBTQ+ iN LiTERATURE

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE literature LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

latter two books have now been made into feature films. Simon Vs. became Love, Simon, produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, and Cameron Post, produced by Beachwood films, became a winner at the Sundance Film Festival. Although an exciting development, the success of these few LGBTQ+ focused novels cannot compare to the large-scale success of numerous cisgender, heterosexual love stories that we see released in bookstores and cinemas every week. Even so, a disappointing aspect of the novels which represent LGBTQ+ characters is the constant focus on coming out. Although this is unfortunately a common experience for many young LGBTQ+ people and so should be represented in the literature that we read, it can create a reductive image of the community. We are told that this is our only story that is worth telling. Our minority identity is always drawn attention to, rather than being treated as normal. Where are the wholesome romantic comedies about young lesbian couples? Where is the story about the ambitious trans businesswoman making her way in the world? Where are the stories about LGBTQ+ people flourishing in their identities, rather than struggling with them? The stories must be out there, but they are yet to see the same level of success as those focusing on heterosexual, cisgender lives. One rare exception to this rule is the work of Sarah Waters. This Welsh author tells the stories of lesbian couples in various situations and historical settings. For sapphic readers, this set of historical fiction is an exciting opportunity to read about women in relationships like theirs, throughout history and in much more engaging situations than the coming out stories we commonly see. Of course, there are many exciting and beautiful LGBTQ+ novels out there to find, but you will have to search hard to find them.

The representation of LGBTQ+ relationships in literature has never been better than it is in 2020. However, there is still a long way to go before literature reflects the huge variety of experiences that the community faces in the modernday. It’s about time we had the opportunity to get stuck into a fairy tale romance that truly represents the romance that we are looking for in our own lives.

In adult fiction, I have come across even less representation than as a teenager. BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS 42