Prominent figure Natalie Clifford Barney's complex romantic life and impact on friendships are discussed, along with the concept of polyamory. Exploring Natalie's obliviousness and privilege, including limitations in her advocacy. The chapter also explores the multi-faceted nature of historical figures and shares a personal snowy journey home.
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Quick takeaways
Natalie Clifford Barney's life was a mix of admirable and problematic actions, but her impact on LGBTQIA history is undeniable.
The hosts struggled to summarize Barney's life in one episode due to its intricate details, leading to the decision to dedicate two episodes to her.
Deep dives
Natalie Clifford Barney's complex and fascinating life
Throughout the podcast episode, the hosts discuss Natalie Clifford Barney and the complexities of her life. They delve into various aspects, such as her wealth and privilege, her obliviousness to cultural and political events, and her support of certain political ideologies. The hosts also highlight her efforts to create a safe space for marginalized individuals, particularly lesbians. While her life is a mix of admirable and problematic actions, her impact on LGBTQIA history is undeniable.
The challenges of summarizing Natalie Clifford Barney's life
The hosts share their struggles in summarizing Natalie Clifford Barney's life due to its intricate details and timeline jumps. They express their initial intention to condense it into one episode, similar to previous episodes on other historical figures. However, as they reviewed and took notes on Barney's life, they found it difficult to omit significant details. The hosts also mention some interesting anecdotes, such as Barney's father's awkward marriage proposal and a sleepwalking teacher who cut off a student's braid.
Notable developments and works related to Natalie Clifford Barney
The hosts discuss recent developments related to Natalie Clifford Barney. They mention the English publication of one of her novels, which is a thinly veiled autobiography about her relationships. The hosts also highlight the Natalie Clifford Barney historical marker erected in Dayton, Ohio, recognizing her birthplace and contribution to LGBTQ history. Despite her complexities and flaws, Barney played a role in providing a safe haven for marginalized individuals and making an impact on LGBTQIA history.
Tracy explains why Natalie Clifford Barney needed two episodes. She also shares some of the stories from Barney's stories that didn't make it into either of the episodes.