Reading Letters

Personally, I strongly believe that reading other people letters is an immoral action just like reading other people diaries. However it is different when we look at it as a part of literature. This week we learned about letters that were written by prominent and famous literature people, John Keats and Vincent Van Gogh. An interesting part about John Keat’s letter is that the letters were addressed to his lover that was also his neighbour. This letters were written on the year of 1819. Back then, men were more romantic and gentlemen compared to men nowadays. There might be the reason why he preferred to express his feelings through letter although they were neighbours. One of the lines that captured my attention when reading it was “You dazzled me – There is nothing in the world so bright and delicate –“. This is a beautiful line that will make any women’s hearts melt. It is nice when a man confesses that there is nothing more important than you although it is absolutely untrue. If John Keats was a trouble man, Vincent Van Gogh might be worse than him. I could actually feel how lonely he was as he only talked about painting and this undermined his health. Dr. Edwin told us that he cut one of his ear lobes to be given to the woman he loved. How crazy…? Anyway, through his letters to his brother we can actually see how depressed he was with his life. Mostly he talked about his passion for painting. Although it was quite difficult to understand the whole emotions in the letters at least I am able to appreciate their opinions, ideas and emotions about literature.