isherwood
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun A surname, most famously that of Christopher Isherwood, a 20th-century Anglo-American writer known for his novels depicting pre-World War II Berlin and his collaborations with other literary figures.
Usage Notes
- "Isherwood" is used almost exclusively as a proper noun to refer to the person, Christopher Isherwood.
- It is not typically used with articles ("a" or "the").
- When used in a literary context, it often signifies a specific style of autobiographical fiction or writings about queer identity and exile.
Examples
- In biographical context:
- Several biographies have been written about Isherwood.
- The letters of Isherwood provide insight into his creative process.
- In literary context:
- The novels of Isherwood are essential reading for understanding Weimar Germany.
- Her thesis analyzes the narrative voice in Isherwood's Berlin stories.
Advanced Usage
- "Isherwoodian" (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of Christopher Isherwood or his works, often implying a clear, observant, and semi-autobiographical style.
- The film has an Isherwoodian quality in its detached portrayal of city life.
Variants and Related Words
- Isherwoodian (adj): As defined above.
Synonyms
- Christopher Isherwood (full name).
Notes on Meaning
This word functions primarily as a proper noun referring to a specific individual. It does not have a common noun meaning. Its significance is entirely derived from the life and work of the writer Christopher Isherwood.
Noun
- United States writer (born in England) whose best known novels portray Berlin in the 1930's and who collaborated with W. H. Auden in writing plays in verse (1904-1986)