On the first day in the lab, I looked through The Little Review. Though this last printing of The Little Review doesn’t feature any writings by the authors that are showcased, it does include their answers to a series of 10 questions that was sent to each by the editor. Whether they answered the questions, or simply replied with a rejection, the words of each were featured. Often, editor Margaret Anderson might have left a note or a clarification below the answers of some author. In particular, I found that I could get a sensibility for the personality of each poet, or how they phrased why they hadn’t answered the questions. I was particularly drawn to Djuna Barnes’ answer of simply: “I am sorry but the list of questions dos not interest me to answer. Not have I that respect for the public.”
