List of Gary Snyder Quotes
We have put together a list of some of the best Quotes that Written by Gary Snyder
Gary Snyder
Total Quotes 84
Gary Snyder, Born On May 8, 1930, In San Francisco, California, Is A Seminal Figure In American Poetry And Environmentalism. Often Associated With The Beat Generation And The San Francisco Renaissance, Snyder’s Work Transcends These Movements, Reflecting A Profound Engagement With Nature, Spirituality, And Cultural Traditions.
His Poetry Is Characterized By Its accessible Style, Influenced By Japanese Haiku And Chinese Verse, Which Conveys Deep Ecological Insights And Metaphysical Themes.
A Pulitzer Prize Winner For His Collection Turtle Island, Snyder Has Dedicated His Life To Advocating For Environmental Protection And The Preservation Of Indigenous Cultures. His Journey As A Poet Is Interwoven With His Experiences As A Logger, Mountaineer, And Zen Buddhist Practitioner.
Biography Of Gary Snyder
Early Life And Education
- Birth: May 8, 1930
- Place Of Birth: San Francisco, California
- Parents: Harold And Lois Hennessy Snyder
- Childhood: Moved To Rural Seattle At Age Two; Grew Up Surrounded By Nature.
- Education:
- Attended Reed College (1947-1951), Where He Studied Under Lloyd Reynolds.
- Developed An Interest In Asian Culture And Indigenous Peoples.
- Senior Thesis Titled “He Who Hunted Birds In His Father’s Village: The Dimensions Of A Haida Myth.”
Career Beginnings
- Early Work:
- Published First Poems In Reed College’s Student Publication Janus (1950).
- Influenced By The Imagist Movement And Poets Like William Carlos Williams.
- Significant Events:
- Participated In The Famous Six Poets At Six Gallery Reading In 1955 Alongside Jack Kerouac And Allen Ginsberg.
- This Event Marked The Beginning Of The San Francisco Renaissance.
Life In Japan
- Move To Japan: In 1956, Snyder Took A Freighter To Kyoto.
- Zen Buddhism: Studied Zen Under Ruth Fuller Sasaki; Lived As A Monk Intermittently.
- Cultural Influence: Became Deeply Immersed In Japanese Culture And Literature.
Major Works
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems | Early Collection Reflecting Snyder’s Zen Influences. |
| 1960 | Myths & Texts | Explores Myths Through Various Cultural Lenses. |
| 1974 | Turtle Island | Pulitzer Prize-winning Collection Focusing On Environmental Themes. |
| 1983 | Axe Handles | A More Personal Exploration Of Family Life And Nature. |
| 1996 | Mountains And Rivers Without End | Epic Poem Reflecting Decades Of Work; Awarded The Bollingen Prize. |
| 2005 | Danger On Peaks | Collection After A Long Hiatus From Publishing New Poetry. |
Themes And Influences
- Nature: Deep Connection To The Natural World; Often Incorporates Ecological Themes.
- Spirituality: Influenced By Zen Buddhism, Which Informs His Worldview And Writing Style.
- Cultural Studies: Draws From Native American Traditions And Eastern Philosophies.
Awards And Recognition
- Pulitzer Prize For Poetry (1975) For Turtle Island.
- Bollingen Prize For Poetry (1997) For Mountains And Rivers Without End.
- American Book Award recipient.
- Inducted Into The American Academy Of Arts And Letters (1987).
Teaching Career
- Taught Creative Writing At The University Of California, Davis.
- Served On The California Arts Council From 1975 To 1979.
Personal Life
- Marriages:
- Married Alison Gass; Later Divorced.
- Married Masa Uehara; Also Later Divorced.
- Residency: Lives In The Sierra Nevada Foothills Where He Continues To Write And Engage With Nature.
Philosophy
- Advocates For A Lifestyle That Harmonizes With Nature Rather Than Exploiting It.
- Critiques Consumerism And Promotes Environmental Stewardship Through His Work.
