Nadia Wheatley, author of "The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift," shares insights on Clift's unique perspective as an expat whose letters were mostly lost. Literary scholar Brigitta Olubas and journalist Susan Wyndham delve into the deep yet complex friendship between Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower, showcasing how their correspondence shaped their literary careers. They highlight the impact of childhood experiences on creativity and the importance of preserving personal writings as a vital part of literary history.
The podcast explores the distinct life trajectories of three influential Australian women writers, highlighting their differing relationships with friendship and literature.
The dynamic between Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower is examined, showcasing how their correspondence shaped their literary careers and personal identities.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of preserving literary legacies through correspondence, revealing how lost letters can obscure understanding of a writer's evolution.
Deep dives
Exploring Women Writers and Their Relationships
The episode delves into the lives of three notable women writers: Shirley Hazard, Charmian Clift, and Elizabeth Harrower, examining their distinct personal and professional trajectories. While Hazard and Harrower had a close friendship reflected in their extensive correspondence, Clift remained separate, representing a different narrative among the trio. The conversation highlights the contrasting personas of these writers, emphasizing that both Hazard and Harrower exhibited introverted personalities while Clift had an extroverted style that engaged readers through intimate, conversational writing. The unique dynamics among these women raise questions about their potential interactions had they been brought together in real life.
The Significance of Correspondence
Nadia discusses Charmian Clift's limited letters, noting that many were lost, which highlights the significance of correspondence in understanding a writer's life. Unlike Hazard and Harrower, who maintained a deep epistolary connection, Clift's friendships were sparse, indicating her introverted nature despite a public persona. This scarcity of correspondence leads to reflections on how personal relationships and friendships can profoundly influence a writer's work and identity. It brings to light the idea that even amidst vibrant literary networks, writers can still feel isolated or misunderstood.
The Role of Friendship in Shaping Lives
Friendship plays a pivotal role as the episode discusses its impact on the lives of Clift, Hazard, and Harrower, shaping their emotional landscapes and work. The relationships, particularly between Hazard and Harrower, reveal both challenges and support as they navigated their literary careers and personal struggles. Hazard's letters to her friend often reflect her need for validation and connection, emphasizing the complexities that arise when friendships intertwine with professional ambitions. The conversation suggests that friendships among literary figures can become both a source of inspiration and a breeding ground for insecurity.
The Complexity of Literary Legacy
The discussion addresses the challenges of preserving literary legacies, particularly through correspondence and personal writings. Hazard’s concern about which letters should be shared with biographers underscores the intricate relationship between privacy and public life. The destruction of previous correspondences, whether accidental or intentional, raises questions about how much context and understanding can be lost over time. This conversation points to the idea that the preservation of letters and diaries can be crucial for illuminating the evolution of a writer's thoughts and artistic expression.
Navigating Personal and Political Landscapes
The episode examines how the writers navigated their personal trials alongside the broader socio-political landscapes of their time. It discusses the writers' views on Australia’s cultural identity, revealing their hopes for political and artistic growth within the country. Hazard’s reflections in her letters about the changing political climate and her complex relationship with the Australian identity showcase the intertwining of personal and national narratives. The conversation highlights how these writers found both their voices and their political consciousness amid their struggles, marking their contributions as deeply reflective of the times they lived in.
Explore the literary histories of Charmian Clift, Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower.
Following her biography The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift, Nadia Wheatley contributed the afterword to The End of the Morning, Clift’s final manuscript, which was recently published more than 50 years after her death. Literary scholar Brigitta Olubas (Shirley Hazzard: A Writing Life) joins forces with journalist Susan Wyndham to collate Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower: The Letters, which reveals the deep and vexed friendship between two of Australia’s greatest writers.
Learn more about these fabled authors’ work and writing lives with the scribes who are salvaging their stories from the archives.
Presented by UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Writer's Festival.
