Père Antoine's Date-Palm E-Book

Thomas Bailey Aldrich

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

In "Père Antoine's Date-Palm," Thomas Bailey Aldrich deftly weaves a narrative that transcends mere storytelling, immersing readers in a rich tapestry of themes including cultural identity, nostalgia, and the human connection to nature. Set against the exotic backdrop of New Orleans and its vibrant Creole culture, Aldrich's prose is characterized by meticulous detail and a lyrical quality that evokes the haunting beauty of the region. The novel is a poignant reflection of its time, capturing the complexities of social interactions and racial dynamics within a post-Civil War America, all while exploring the serene yet profound symbolism of the titular date-palm. Aldrich, an influential figure in American literature during the late 19th century, showcased his talent not only as a novelist but also as an editor and poet. His diverse experiences, coupled with his keen observations of society, greatly informed his writing. Aldrich's ability to capture the nuances of human emotion and the vibrancy of layered cultures stemmed from his years living in New England and his travels throughout the South, giving depth to the settings and characters he meticulously crafted. Readers will find "Père Antoine's Date-Palm" to be a captivating exploration of the intersections of loneliness and belonging, making it an essential read for those interested in American literature's evolution. Aldrich's eloquent prose transcends time, inviting contemplation on universal themes that remain relevant today, thus enriching the literary landscape for both new and seasoned readers.

Leseprobe

Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Père Antoine's Date-Palm

Published by Good Press, 2020

[email protected]

EAN 4064066105471

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

Text

"

Near the Levée, and not far from the old French Cathedral in the Place d’Armes, at New Orleans, stands a fine date-palm, thirty feet in height, spreading its broad leaves in the alien air as hardily as if its sinuous roots were sucking strength from their native earth.

Sir Charles Lyell, in his Second Visit to the United States, mentions this exotic: “The tree is seventy or eighty years old; for Père Antoine, a Roman Catholic priest, who died about twenty years ago, told Mr. Bringier that he planted it himself, when he was young. In his will he provided that they who succeeded to this lot of ground should forfeit it if they cut down the palm.”

Wishing to learn something of Père Antoine’s history, Sir Charles Lyell made inquiries among the ancient créole inhabitants of the faubourg. That the old priest, in his last days, became very much emaciated, that he walked about the streets like a mummy, that he gradually dried up, and finally blew away, was the meagre and unsatisfactory result of the tourist’s investigations. This is all that is generally told of Père Antoine. In the summer of 1861, while New Orleans was yet occupied by the Confederate forces, I met at Alexandria, in Virginia, a lady from Louisiana—Miss Blondeau by name—who gave me the substance of the following legend touching Père Antoine and his wonderful date-palm. If it should appear tame to the reader, it will be because I am not habited in a black ribbed-silk dress, with a strip of point-lace around my throat, like Miss Blondeau; it will be because I lack her eyes and lips and Southern music to tell it with.