Wendell Berry - 1934
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I. Biography Who isn't interested in learning about an influential and talented writer from Kentucky? The man to satisfy this itching curiosity is Wendell Erdman Berry. He was born
and grew up in Henry County, Kentucky (Angyal 1). This land holds an abundance of memories, which not only are a subject of reflection every now and then, but
also serve as a way of life, which he shares with his wife, Tanya, and his two children (Merchant 1). While growing up on a farm with his close-knit family, he learned the art of
agriculture with animals and still uses it, as opposed to the modern tools used by most farmers today (Angyal 2). His family played a major role in his life growing up, as he
quickly learned the importance of family encouragement and values. "Berry came from a time and place rich in adult companionship," from which he learned about farming, domestic arts, and life in general (4-5).
According to Angyal, another important influence on Berry's life was the Kentucky River, on which was built "the Camp," a cabin that consumed much of Berry's free time (5). Here
he spent family picnics, had boyhood adventures, and quietly escaped on personal retreats. It was at this cabin that he developed much of his extraordinary appreciation for
nature, which permeates his work today (5-6). Berry explained, "Let's say you were somewhere else, seeing this Earth from space for the first time. I don't know about you,
but I wouldn't be satisfied with that view; I'd want to get closer, walk around on it, even get down on my hands and knees. That's how I prefer to see the Earth" (Fisher-Smith).
By the time Berry was in college at the University of Kentucky, he was sure that he wanted to major in English and eventually earned both a B.A. and an M.A. from this school
(Merchant 1). Following college, he was often a professor of English at schools such as Stanford University, Georgetown College, New York University, and the University of
Kentucky. Almost immediately, his writing started to be recognized, beginning with a short story "The Brothers," which won the Stylus's Dantzler Award (Angyal xvii). In 1960 Berry published his first novel,
Nathan Coulter, and two years later he was awarded the Vachel Lindsay Prize by Poetry (Merchant 7). He continued to write a variety of genre, publishing his first non-fiction piece, The Rise
, in 1968. In 1971 Berry was awarded with the very honorable title of the Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Kentucky,
and in the same year he received the National Institute of Arts and Letters of Literary Award (8). Only three years later he was appointed Elliston Poet at the University of Cincinnati (Angyal xviii).
With a balance between writing and simply enjoying life, Berry has continued to earn multiple awards throughout his lifetime, and he has never stopped publishing works. He
received honorary doctorates from Centre College in 1976, Transylvania College in 1981, Berea College in 1983, University of Kentucky in 1986, Santa Clara University in 1987, and
Eureka College in 1988 (Merchant 9). In 1987 he received the Jean Stein Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters and the Milner Award from the
Kentucky Governor (Angyal xix). Berry is frequently shown appreciation for his contributions with many awards and recognitions throughout his lifetime. II. Professional Life
Berry does not have a strict writing schedule, as the amount of time spent writing each day is dependent on the farm chores, travels, and any scheduled lectures or readings (Berry
qtd. in Weinreb 37). However, he says, "It is best, for me , when I can write every day, from breakfast until noon. That's about as long at a stretch as I can hope to write well" (37). In
addition to this, he writes only in the daytime without electric lighting, since he believes so strongly in the appreciation of nature (Strunk). He goes on to explain the process with which his books become finished pieces: "I write in longhand, with a pencil, and make many changes and erasures as I go along. Every morning, before I begin, I read over and correct the work of the morning before.
When I have finished a chapter or a story or essay, I read it aloud to Tanya, my wife, and make the corrections that this reading suggests to her and to me. Before she types it, I
read it again and make further changes. Between typescript and publication many more changes may be made" (Weinreb 37-38). III. Published Works
Wendell Berry has published thirty-two books of essays, poetry, and novels. This includes the essay, "Why I am Not Going to Buy a Computer," his poem "Sabbaths," and
"What Are People For?" A complete listing of these works can be found at the following website: IV. Influences
To say that Wendell Berry was influenced by the region in which he lives would be an understatement. Berry's writing revolves around his strong appreciation for nature, which
developed from an early age while living on a farm. Angyal says, "For Berry, there was never any question of having to find a subject or a place to write about: he had always
been drawn to his native region" (10). Berry writes what he believes, and links the common theme that everyone should use the gifts given to him in order to benefit the earth and the
community ("Wendell Berry"). Clearly, the agricultural life that he has grown accustomed to, and the respect of nature that has bloomed throughout his life influence Berry.
Although the source of Berry's writing is clear by simply reading his writing, the influences on his style may not be. His earliest introduction to literature cane from his mother. She
would read to him as a child and helped young Berry develop an appreciation for books (Angyal 7). He recalls, "To be sick and home from school and feeling well enough to listen
was an excellent pleasure, because she would read to me" (Weinreb 40). Berry remembers reading Swiss Family Robinson as a boy, along with Mark Twain, and Mary O'Hara. He
also names Shakespeare, Jane Austin, and Thoreau as authors that he studied in school (40). However, Berry continues by saying, "I'm wary of trying to deal with the issue of
literary influences, because of my fear that I won't remember them all and my suspicion that I don't even know them all" (40). V. Critical Review of the Berry's Work
Jeffery Alan Triggs reviews Wendell Berry's book of poems, Sabbaths, from a technical standpoint, and then sprinkles his observations with a bit of opinion. Most of the review
analyzes Berry's work and often compares it to his other pieces and other authors. Triggs states, "Occasionally, there are lapses into hollow versifying [. . .] At moments like this,
one has the impression that the meter and rhyme scheme are controlling Berry rather than the other way around" (194). He later adds that some critics charge Berry with being
sermonic and lacking "religious orthodoxy" (197). However, one must search in order to find such complaints of Berry's work. Most reviews rave of Berry's "personal" style, as a
strong influence from his own life and beliefs roots the majority of his writing, which in turn, allows the readers to relate (Strunk). Angyal states, "Wendell Berry is an important
and versatile writer who deserves to be more widely read and appreciated" (140). Angyal seems to share this opinion with many of Berry's readers. VI. Resources
Interviews with Berry can be found on the Internet at the following websites:
In addition to these, a written conversation with Wendell Berry can be found in Merchant's book, Wendell Berry, on pages 27 – 43. The interview is conducted by Mindy Weinreb. Audio and Video Resources
Wendell Berry was a guest on the radio show, Natural Gifts, in 1997. An audio recording of this can be found from the New Dimensions Foundation, Box 569, Ukiah, CA 95482. It can
also be found at a public library. A video recording of Berry at a poetry reading on March 3, 1977, at San Francisco State University can be found from The American Poetry Archives. Links to Related Information
http://www.louisville.edu/library/ekstrom/govpubs/states/kentucky/kylit/berry.html http://www.louisville.edu/~easchn01/kentucky/1lite.html http://www.duke.edu/~lamoureu/lit/berry.html http://csf.colorado.edu/pen-l/2000II/msg01753.html http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/htallant/border/bs10/grubbs.htm Berry's Address: Wendell Erdman Berry appreciates the people and even the small events in his life that
have made him the person that he is today. He has become not only an influential author, but also a man striving to live as one with nature. He does not conform to society's
expectations, but strongly stands on the person that his parents, friends, and family have helped him become. His voice is one that rings out through his poetry, novels, and essays,
and will continue to be heard for generations to come. This essay was submitted by a student of Breen Reardon, an English teacher at Sycamore High School in Cincinnati. Works Cited Angyal, Andrew J.
Wendell Berry. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1995. Fisher-Smith, Jordan. "Field Observations: An Interview with Wendell Berry" Online Posting. Orion
Autumn 1993. The EnviroLink Network. 11 Feb. 2001. Merchant, Paul. Introduction. Wendell Berry.
Idaho: Confluence Press, 1991. 1-5. Strunk, Angela. "Wendell Berry" Online Posting. Maintainer. Joe Pellegrino. KYLIT: Triggs, Jeffery Alan. "Farm as Form: Wendell Berry's Sabbaths." Wendell Berry
. Ed. Weinreb, Mindy. "A Question a Day: A Written Conversation with Wendell Berry."
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~tipiglen/wendellberrybooks.htm#top
http://www.georgejr.com/december/wendellberry.html.
http://arts.envirolink.org/interviews_and_conversations/WendellBerry.html.
Links to a additional information about Berry include:
This website provides links to Berry's writing, an interview with Berry, and other informational sites about Berry.
This website provides information about numerous Kentucky authors, and links to a Wendell Berry discussion group, more of his writing, and a brief overview of his life.
This website provides two of Berry's poems and a short introduction.
This provides excerpts of Berry's Why I am Not Going to Buy a Computer, readers'
responses, and Berry's responses to these.
This website provides a literary analysis of Berry's writing and takes a more complex look
into Berry's beliefs.
Wendell Berry
Lanes Landing Farm
Port Royal, KY 40058
http://arts.envirolink.org/interviews_and_conversations/WendellBerry.html.
A Site Devoted to Kentucky Writers.
26 Sept. 1997. 11 Feb. 2001.
http://www.artshumanities.eku.edu//Eng/SERVICES/KYLIT/BERRY.HTM.
Paul Merchant. Idaho: Confluence Press, 1991. 191-203.
Wendell Berry.
Ed. Paul Merchant. Idaho: Confluence Press, 1991. 27-43.