Places and spaces of the writing life

Abstract

This study investigates and characterises the ways place and space occur in Eavan Boland's Object Lessons, May Sarton's Journal of a Solitude, Anne Dillard's The Writing Life, and a selection of journal material accompanied by poetry. The author's purpose in doing this is to gain insight into the creative processes of these writers and the nature of their engagement with the ongoing venture that Anne Dillard has termed 'the writing life'. This phrase, while evoking a sense of duration and commitment as regards writing, also invites questions about how such a vocation takes shape within the life of a writer. Both the terms 'place' and 'space' come trailing. Each may describe inner experiences, as well as pertaining to the realm of physical perception. Each is also a current focus of critique and contestation in various disciplines - for example, those of anthropology and geography - and by feminist thinkers.The author's introduction refers to some of these revisionings. Findings are summarised in the conclusion.

Date of Award	1999
Original language	English