The Challenges of Genius

Paper Summary:

In both the published diary of Ana's Nin, "The Diary of Ana's Nin", and Sylvia Nasar's "A Beautiful Mind", the topic is, directly or indirectly, the gift of genius and the burdens it can impose on those who possess it. The paper shows that Ana's Nin's diary cannot be seen to be truly 'about' anything more than the day-to-day events of her life and her musings. Nevertheless, knowing the literary genius of Ana's Nin today, we can read her diary as the journal of a genius in development and try to learn about genius through her observations. The paper discusses
"A Beautiful Mind" which, in contrast, was written intentionally as a study of a genius and, as such, provides us with a different kind of insight into the nature of genius - in this case, mathematical wonder, John Nash.

From the Paper:

"What also serves to distinguish the two books is that, where Nin had final editorial control and could present herself in any light she saw fit, Nasar was free to describe Nash in any way she felt the facts could support. What is notable is that despite Nin's control, she often chose, for the sake of effect or impartiality, to portray herself in an unfavorable light. Nasar, in contrast, clearly put considerable effort into trying to redeem or gloss over the many unpleasant facets of someone who is clearly a thoroughly unpleasant man. Even after coming through his battle with schizophrenia to win the Nobel prize, Nash demonstrates bitterness over not winning a minor math prize in his youth, and he demonstrates this bitterness in his Nobel autobiography!"

More papers on The Challenges of Genius:

• Comparison Essay # 23221 : "Anais Nin and John Nash; the Social Nature of Acceptance and Success"
• Essay # 60243 : "The Adolescent Learner"
• Essay # 48816 : "Myths of the Spanish Conquest"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: