Introduction

The great writers were never satisfied. Such is the thesis of this dissertation. Hemingway re-wrote the last chapter to A Farewell to Arms over 60 times but still was not satisfied with the results. Robert Browning set about revising all of his poetry at the age of 70. Great writers continue crafting and re-crafting their work beyond publication. One could argue no work is ever complete, for the great writers never declare them so.

To illustrate, I submit here a few overlooked journal entries of three (3) of the most famous quotes in literature: one from John Donne's Meditation XVII, one from Herman Melville's Moby Dick, and one from Charles Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities. All were written during each author's later years. Each was failing in health. Each died the day of the last entry. The words are worth studying not only for their literary worth, but for our better understanding of the author's state of mind throughout the course of these revisions.

First of all, I must admit that I don't much care for John's poems. But he's important to know--after all, he was the leader, so to speak, of the metaphysical school of poetry and by all accounts, a nice guy. He was described as a very charming and companionable person, even if he was raised Catholic. Though he attended the very prestigious universities of Oxford and Cambridge, he was unable to take a degree either place because his family objected on religious grounds to the oath of allegiance all graduates had to take. Undaunted, John began to study law in 1592, in hopes of landing a state job, or perhaps even a court position. He also frittered away some of his time messing about with some poetry.

Source: Incompetech's British Author Series , Laura MacLeod. Donne image courtesy of The Luminarium.
 

After having read a total of five books by Melville . . . I strongly support the fact that Herman Melville is the greatest American author. Melville seems to have a mix of complexity and entertainment which is unmatched by all other Americans. When reading Melville, you not only get to hear an enticing tale of an adventure, but you also become acquainted with so much more. It is impossible for you to grasp and understand every aspect of Moby Dick; the book is just far too complex. When asked about Moby Dick's vast content, Melville declared, "Give me a condor's quill! Give me Vesuvius's crater for an ink stand...To produce a mighty book you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on a flea, though many there be that have tried it," you think, "Oh joy!" just what I need, an author who loves writing neverending novels (obviously the Russians liked Melville). However, through Melville's labyrinth of pages and sentences, I was able to detect a fascinating complexity and genius in his work. It was indeed the complexity and fascination of Moby Dick, the book that provoked me to read other works by Melville, that ultimately led me to pick Herman Melville as the man of my attention.

Source: Herman Melville: America's Diogenes , Manus J. Donahue III

Dickens stands on a peak with the greatest English writers. The more we study him the richer and deeper does he appear. He tells his stories well. His opening paragraphs have the power to intrigue us, engaging our attention from the first sentence and holding it to the end. He creates on a grand scale, covering a huge range of characters and incidents. Above all, he has to the highest degree possible that essential quality of the artist-creative imagination. . . . Let no one here speak a word of skepticism as to the reality of Sairy Gamp, Mr. Barkis, Fagin, Bumble the Beadle, the Marchioness, Uriah Heep, Scrooge, and above all, Mrs. Arris. For the words you speak of Mrs. Arris, & quotlambs will not forgive nor worms forget.

Source: Given by Dr. Earl M. McWilliams on February 10, 1996 before the Philadelphia Branch of the Dickens Fellowship in commemoration of the birth of Charles Dickens.

Conclusion

Clearly, three important and salient points emerge from this presentation:

A) No great work has ever been completed;

B) No great author ever stopped writing;

C) Literary influence on contemporary culture is the benchmark of all great literary works.

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