Translating Poe

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 325 - Translating Poe

Before Celebrate Poe goes any further, I want to admit that I am going back and dealing with some of the influences of Poe - emphasizing that they were part of Gothic literature or writing that employs dark and picturesque scenery, startling and melodramatic narrative devices, and an overall atmosphere of exoticism, mystery, fear, and dread.

But Edgar Allen Poe got later ahold of Gothic literature in the mid-1800s and succeeded like no one else. In Gothic literature, he found a place to explore psychological trauma, the evils of man, and mental illness. Any modern-day zombie story, detective story, or Stephen King novel owes a debt to Poe. There may have been successful Gothic writers before and after him, but no one perfected the genre quite like Poe.

Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 325 - Translating Poe

Before Celebrate Poe goes any further, I want to admit that I am going back and dealing with some of the influences of Poe - emphasizing that they were part of Gothic literature or writing that employs dark and picturesque scenery, startling and melodramatic narrative devices, and an overall atmosphere of exoticism, mystery, fear, and dread.

But Edgar Allen Poe got later ahold of Gothic literature in the mid-1800s and succeeded like no one else. In Gothic literature, he found a place to explore psychological trauma, the evils of man, and mental illness. Any modern-day zombie story, detective story, or Stephen King novel owes a debt to Poe. There may have been successful Gothic writers before and after him, but no one perfected the genre quite like Poe.

But back to the influence of Poe in Europe.

OK - I admit it - I started out wanted to do a podcast or two or three about Charles Baudelaire, and how he influenced Poe studies in Europe with his translation of Poe’s works.

First you have to look at Romanticism in literature - you see, Romanticism in literature emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and nature. It was characterized by a focus on imagination, subjectivity, and the glorification of the past. Key features include: 

Emphasis on emotion and passion
Celebration of nature and its beauty
Focus on the individual and subjective experiences
Interest in the supernatural and mystical
Idealization of the past, especially medieval times

Now, Modernism in literature, on the other hand, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to rapid societal changes. It is marked by:

Experimentation with form and style
Rejection of traditional narrative structures
Focus on subjective reality and psychological depth
Use of symbolism and fragmented narratives
Exploration of alienation and disillusionment

At this point, you are probably saying - well what does thing have to do with Charles Baudelaire?

Simple. Charles Baudelaire serves as a crucial link between Romanticism and Modernism, significantly influencing modern poetry. His importance lies in:

Pioneering urban poetry: Baudelaire captured the essence of modern city life, introducing new themes and perspectives to poetry.
Symbolist influence: His work guided the symbolist movement, which became a dominant school in modernist poetry.

Aesthetic innovations: Baudelaire's ideas on the autonomy of art and the intellectualization of poetry shaped modernist aesthetics.

Exploration of taboo subjects: His frank depiction of sexuality and interest in the darker aspects of human nature paved the way for future poets.

As mentioned in previous episodes, Baudelaire translated Poe's tales into French, introducing Poe's work to a wider European audience. Their works shared many themes, and their views on literary theory were closely aligned. Baudelaire even saw Poe's tales as a medium for presenting his own ideas to the French public. Baudelaire's translations of Poe had a major influence on 19th-century literature and later on European culture as a whole. Baudelaire's fascination with Poe extended beyond mere translation, as he saw in Poe a kindred spirit and used his work as a vehicle to express his own artistic vision, ultimately shaping the course of modern poetry.

I will personally admit that I started researching Baudelaire only interested in his translations of Poe - but soon became immersed in another major influence on Baudelaire that he was very eager to translate De Quincey’s Confessions of an English Opium Eater.

In fact, I found the book to be totally engrossing and even breathtaking - I think I read it at one sitting.

But getting back to Baudelaire's translations of Poe's works. 

To say that Baudelaire's translations of Edgar Allan Poe's works had a profound and lasting influence on French literature is putting it mildly. Baudelaire devoted nearly two decades to translating Poe's tales and poems, making them accessible to French readers. This effort brought Poe's unique style and themes to a wider European audience.
Baudelaire's translations helped establish Poe as a significant literary figure in France, fulfilling Baudelaire's desire to make Poe "a great man for France".
Poe's works, through Baudelaire's translations, were accepted by French society despite their unconventional themes and motifs. This acceptance paved the way for new literary explorations in French writing.

Baudelaire's translations of Poe had a major impact on French literature of the nineteenth century, inspiring authors to explore new themes and styles.

The translations went on to influence European culture as a whole - even extending beyond literature to other art forms.

Baudelaire's translations became the standard French versions of Poe's work, praised for their ability to capture the original's spirit while creating a living work in French.

And Poe's works, as translated by Baudelaire, guided the symbolist movement, which became a dominant school in modernist poetry.

And by translating Poe's works with such dedication and skill, Baudelaire effectively blended Poe's style, form, and spirit with French literature, creating a lasting legacy that shaped the course of modern French and European writing.

In fact, it is said that Baudelaire did an admirable job is making several specific changes to Poe's works during translation, aiming to capture the essence of the original while creating a living work in French. Baudelaire often enriched phrases by expressing a precision merely implied in Poe's original text. For example: In "The Tell-Tale Heart," he translated "trifles" as "niaiseries" (nonsense or foolishness) instead of the more literal "vétilles," enhancing the meaning. He changed "of the men" to a more specific phrase, adding stylistic flair. - little stuff that can make all the difference.

To achieve accurate translations, Baudelaire sometimes borrowed foreign syntax while providing close translations of the original text. Baudelaire constantly faced challenges with Poe's modifications of American syntax, vocabulary, and dialect imitations. In some cases, Baudelaire omitted parts of the original text when he felt it made the meaning clearer - not always an easy thing to do. For example, in "The Tell-Tale Heart," he left out an entire sentence, "But anything was better than this agony!"
Baudelaire only translated what he considered translatable, compensating only where he saw the possibility. But despite any changes, Baudelaire generally aimed for a faithful duplication of Poe's works, often translating line by line and almost word for word. In some instances, Baudelaire's translations actually enhanced and even improved Poe's texts, creating passages that "possess all the qualities of an original”.

These changes reflected Baudelaire's dedication to capturing both the form and meaning of Poe's work while adapting it for a French audience. His translations ultimately achieved a balance between literal rendition and creative interpretation, resulting in versions that were widely acclaimed and influential in French literature.

Not surprisingly, Baudelaire faced several challenges when translating Poe's American syntax and vocabulary into French:

Occasionally, Poe’s use of American dialects and colloquialisms posed difficulties for Baudelaire. And to achieve accurate translations, Baudelaire sometimes had to borrow foreign syntax while providing close translations of the original text. This was necessary because French syntax - or word order - often differs significantly from English.

However, Baudelaire’s command of English, while improving over time, was not fully bilingual. He relied on a bilingual dictionary for translations, which sometimes led to misinterpretations or incorrect translations.
And Poe's occasional use of American idioms and expressions often required Baudelaire to find creative solutions or equivalent phrases in French.

And Poe's emphasis on rhythm in his prose - something we don’t think about - was difficult to maintain in French due to the differences in language structure. And for a while, Baudelaire worked with editions of Poe's works  containing misprints, which sometimes led to incorrect translations. I know I am sounding picky.

But despite these challenges, Baudelaire's translations were generally praised for their ability to capture the essence of Poe's work while creating living works in French.

But despite any limitations, Baudelaire's translations were known for their extraordinary faithfulness to the original text. The dictionary likely helped him achieve this level of accuracy, especially in the early stages of his translation work. As Baudelaire's command of English improved, his translations became more and more refined. The dictionary served as a crucial tool in this learning process, allowing him to expand his vocabulary and understanding of English idioms.

Baudelaire often overlooked idiomatic conventions to preserve the flavor and rhythm of Poe's original text. The dictionary likely aided him in finding precise, if sometimes unconventional, French equivalents for Poe's words.
While the use of a bilingual dictionary presented some challenges, it ultimately contributed to Baudelaire's ability to produce translations that were widely acclaimed and influential in French literature.

Baudelaire's translations of Edgar Allan Poe's works had a profound impact on the French literary scene: Baudelaire's translations made Poe's unique style and themes accessible to French readers, bringing his work to a wider European audience. The translations established Poe as a significant literary figure in France, fulfilling Baudelaire’s desire to make Poe "a great man for France”. Baudelaire's translations had a major impact on 19th-century French literature, inspiring authors to explore new themes and styles. The translations influenced European culture as a whole, extending beyond literature to other art forms. Baudelaire's versions became the standard French translations of Poe's work, praised for capturing the original's spirit while creating living works in French. And Poe's works, as translated by Baudelaire, guided the symbolist movement, which became a dominant school in modernist poetry.

So it would be an understatement to point out that Baudelaire's translations of Edgar Allan Poe's works significantly changed the way French readers perceived American literature. For one, Baudelaire's translations established Poe as a major literary figure in France, fulfilling his desire to make Poe "a great man for France”.  But perhaps most importantly, 
French readers were exposed to Poe's unique style and themes, which were previously unfamiliar in French literature.
Paradoxically, while Baudelaire himself held some negative views of American culture, his translations paradoxically showcased the potential for literary excellence from America.  You see, Baudelaire's translations were so influential that they essentially created a French Poe whose reputation in France often surpassed his standing in English-speaking countries.

In some cases, Baudelaire's translations were considered to improve upon Poe's original texts, leading French readers to view Poe's work more favorably than some English-speaking critics.

And by introducing Poe's work, Baudelaire opened French readers to new possibilities in literature, challenging their preconceptions about American writing. These changes ultimately led to a more complex and nuanced understanding of American literature among French readers, with Poe serving as a prominent example of literary excellence from across the Atlantic.

Baudelaire's translations made Poe's unique style and themes accessible to French readers, bringing his work to a wider European audience.
The translations established Poe as a major literary figure in France. Poe's 

His translations even influenced European culture as a whole, extending beyond literature to other art forms, including music and visual arts.
Baudelaire's translations not only introduced Poe to French readers but also played a crucial role in shaping the literary landscape of 19th-century France and beyond, cementing Poe's status as a revered author in French culture.

It is important to remember that Poe was now viewed as a revered author in France. French writers and poets began to consider Poe a "sacred soul" with a "spiritual and angelic nature”. With Poe becoming more popular in France than in America, his works began to inspire French writers, poets, artists, and composers. French audiences appreciated Poe's exploration of dark themes and Gothic elements, which resonated with their own literary traditions.  And Poe's detective stories, especially those featuring C. Auguste Dupin, were highly regarded in France, predating Sherlock Holmes by decades. Poe's legacy in France extended beyond literature, with streets and schools named after him in Paris. Some French readers considered Baudelaire's translations of Poe's works to be improvements on the originals, enhancing his reputation.
This reverence for Poe in France was largely due to Baudelaire's efforts to translate and promote Poe’s works.

Poe never actually visited Paris. He learned about Paris and its locations through his study of the French language and literature, as well as his awareness of French popular media. Specifically:

Poe studied French language and literature, which likely provided him with knowledge of Parisian geography and culture.

He was very aware of the particulars of the popular, sensationalist press in France, which brought details of domestic crimes to thousands of readers.

Poe's knowledge of Paris came from his literary studies and engagement with French culture, rather than firsthand experience.

This indirect knowledge allowed Poe to create a vivid, albeit fictional, portrayal of Paris in his works, particularly in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” 

And Poe's knowledge of French literature significantly influenced his writing in several ways:  Poe set three of his detective stories - "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Mystery of Marie Roget," and "The Purloined Letter" - in Paris.

Poe borrowed elements from French Romantics that were suitable for his own writing style. He selectively read and evaluated French Romantic works, incorporating aspects that aligned with his literary vision.

And of course there is Poe’s detective fiction - with C. Auguste Dupin, featured in his Parisian detective stories, became literature's first pipe-smoking amateur detective, predating Sherlock Holmes by over 40 years.
Gothic and supernatural themes: Poe's works shared common themes with French authors like Victor Hugo, particularly in their exploration of Gothic and supernatural themes - and this podcast will definitely be examining some of those Gothic themes during the next few weeks.

Poe's writing style, balancing light with dark and intelligence with obsession, resonated with French literary sensibilities of the 19th century.
And while Poe was influenced by French literature, it's important to note that his relationship with French writers was reciprocal. His works later had a significant impact on French literature, inspiring authors, poets, and artists in the 19th century and beyond.

After all this, you might ask WHY was Poe so interested in French locations?

Well, Poe’s interest in French locations, particularly Paris, stemmed from several factors: French literature and culture were highly regarded in intellectual circles during Poe's time, providing rich material for his stories.
For American readers, Paris represented an exotic and sophisticated setting, adding intrigue to Poe's tales. Paris, with its labyrinthine streets and rich history, served as an ideal backdrop for Poe's detective stories, particularly those featuring C. Auguste Dupin.

Now Poe had studied French in his youth and maintained an interest in the language throughout his life, allowing him to incorporate French elements into his work. Poe was also intrigued by French culture and sought to incorporate elements of it into his writing, despite never visiting France himself.  And setting stories in Paris may have been an attempt to elevate the perceived sophistication of his work, appealing to readers' fascination with European culture.

Poe's knowledge of French locations came primarily from his studies of French language and literature, as well as his awareness of French popular media, rather than firsthand experience. This indirect knowledge allowed him to create vivid, albeit fictional, portrayals of Paris in his works, particularly in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," which helped establish his reputation as a pioneer of detective fiction.

In fact, it might be interesting to look at Poe’s popularity in France as compared to his popularity in the United States and Canada.

You see, French readers and critics viewed Poe's works as a cohesive whole, appreciating the overall unity and variety in his writing, while Americans tended to view his works individually. It is not that unusual to run into an American who has just read a portion of one or two stories by Poe, and forms an opinion based on limited experience.  But in France, it is not as unusual to find a person who appreciates Poe's exploration of dark themes and Gothic elements - such stories resonate with French literary traditions and sensibilities.

And then there are Poe's C. Auguste Dupin stories - tales that are were highly regarded in France and established him as a pioneer of detective fiction.  I think it is especially interesting that French literary circles tend to be more understanding of Poe's personal struggles, viewing them as a result of his environment rather than character flaws. While Americans often dismissed Poe as a drunk and wasted talent, the French appreciated his literary genius.

French poets and critics are particularly drawn to Poe's literary theory and poetry, valuing his intellectual approach to composition. These factors combined to create a lasting legacy for Poe in France, where he has become more popular than in America, with streets and schools named after him in Paris.

Now I would like to end this podcast episode by taking a look at Baudelaire’s translation of Poe’s work.

Baudelaire saw Poe as a kindred spirit, recognizing similarities in their struggles and artistic visions. Both poets experienced financial difficulties, addiction issues, and a sense of alienation from society. By promoting Poe, Baudelaire found validation for his own artistic pursuits. Poe's works resonated with Baudelaire's aesthetic theories and ideals of poetry.Translating and promoting Poe's works provided Baudelaire with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, especially as he faced his own struggles with publishing and recognition. Baudelaire's personal experiences with despair, addiction, and societal rejection aligned with themes in Poe's writing, making the American author's work particularly appealing to him. Both Poe and Baudelaire challenged societal norms in their writing. Baudelaire's promotion of Poe was, in part, an extension of his own rebellious nature against conventional literary standards.
Baudelaire even referred to Poe as his spiritual "frère" (brother), indicating a deep personal connection that went beyond mere literary appreciation.
Baudelaire's dedication to promoting Poe's work became so significant that he was often known primarily as Poe's translator rather than for his own poetry. This focus on Poe's work may have served as both an escape from and a reflection of Baudelaire's own struggles with recognition and artistic expression.

However, his opium addiction is believed to have been at the root of many of his numerous problems, including financial difficulties, unsatisfactory relationships, poor health, and chronic difficulty in creative work. The author Frank Hilton, in Baudelaire in Chains: Portrait of the Artist as a Drug Addict, argues that opiate addiction significantly damaged Baudelaire's life and work. While Poe may have struggled with alcohol throughout his life, his use of opium appears to have been far less severe than that of Baudelaire, and primarily for literary purposes. Poe's narrators in some of this stories often admitted to using opium, but this was largely a literary device rather than a reflection of Poe's personal habits.

Poe likely used opium medicinally because it was common in his time, but there's no strong evidence of addiction. In contrast, Baudelaire's use went beyond medical purposes and became a crippling addiction.

In other words, despite periods of heavy opium use, Poe was capable of significant productivity. Baudelaire, however, found his addiction interfered with his ability to engage in prolonged creative work and eventually destroyed his health. While both authors had their struggles with substances, the evidence suggests that Baudelaire's opium addiction was more severe and had a far more profound impact on his life and work compared to Poe's relationship with substances.

Join Celebrate Poe for Episode 326

Sources include: “Confessions of an English Opium Eater” by Thomas Hazlett, 

Thank you for listening to Celebrate Poe.