Interview with Eric Bentley, June 25, 1980

Partial Transcript: The following is an unrehearsed interview with Eric Bentley for the Robert Penn Warren Oral History Project of the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Segment Synopsis: Bentley discusses his acquaintance with Warren in chronological order. His encounters with Warren from afar in Ohio and as colleagues at the University of Minnesota are explored. Bentley's relationship with Warren and his contemporaries is touched on. The personality of Warren is described as well.

Keywords: Allen Tate; John Crowe Ransom; Joseph Warren Beach; Kenyon College; Kenyon Review; Lionel Trilling; Robert Penn Warren; The University of Minnesota

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Professors

Partial Transcript: Well, another thing I remember from the period is, uh--this is on the private side, but not so private that it can't be spoken about, I would think.

Segment Synopsis: Bentley talks about Warren's married life. The effects of this first marriage on Warren are examined. This is then compared with his mannerisms during his current marriage. The evolution of Warren's personality up until the time of the interview is emphasized.

Keywords: Aging; Assertive; Change; Divorces; Dogmatic; Joseph Warren Beach; Older; Robert Penn Warren; Social Dynamics; Wives

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Children; Friendship; Marriage

Partial Transcript: Uh, the other part of our s--little subject is I think that, um, when I, uh--the only thing I ever wrote on Red...

Segment Synopsis: Bentley tells of his experience of writing about Warren in a critical analysis. A story on the prototype of the famous play "All the King's Men" is explored. Alternative interpretations of the novel's plot are also mentioned. An adaptation of the play is touched on as well.

Keywords: Adaptations; All the King's Men (Book); Collaboration; Joseph Warren Beach; Re-writes; Robert Penn Warren; Utah

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship

Partial Transcript: And--oh, yes, now come to think of it, Red kept in touch with me in this professional sense.

Segment Synopsis: Bentley recounts his experiences with Warren's plays. An instance is recalled in which a play of Warren's was unable to be produced in New York. Bentley also expresses his opinions on the ability of Warren's work to be converted into plays.

Keywords: Dialogue; Huey Long; Humphrey Bogart; Language; Monologue; Plays; Playwrights; Prose; Robert Penn Warren; Roderick Crawford; Theater; Theatre

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Plays

Partial Transcript: Well, one thing I've been thinking about is the--are these luncheons that you had--

Segment Synopsis: Bentley reveals his desire to emulate certain aspects of Warren's writing style. The political leanings, and the influence of those views on Warren's work is also explored. He is also compared to anti-communist writer and figure Eleanor Clark, among other contemporaries of Warren.

Keywords: Allen Tate; Animus; Communism; Conservatism; Eleanor Clark; Elizabeth Hardwick; Liberalism; Pedantry; Politics; Robert Penn Warren; Saul Bellow; The Partisan Review

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship

Partial Transcript: Did you and Warren talk about Oxford?

Segment Synopsis: Bentley describes the social connections he had with Warren, including attending both Yale and Oxford. Bentley also tells of his relationship with writer Stark Young, a friend of Warren's. The apparent racism and conservatism of Young are also explored.

Keywords: Conservatism; Letters; Oxford University; Racism; Robert Penn Warren; Stark Young; The Southern Agrarians; Yale University

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship

Partial Transcript: Did you and Warren talk about poetry much?

Segment Synopsis: Bentley elaborates on his working relationship with Warren, with an emphasis on plays. Letters from Warren reveal how closely the two collaborated on "All the King's Men," as the play toured in Utah one summer, for instance. Several excerpts of letters are read, giving a first-hand account of their frequent exchanges. Details of the original play in Minnesota are also given.

Keywords: All The King's Men (Book); Black Mountain poets; Letters; Plays; Robert Penn Warren; The University of Minnesota

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Poetry

Partial Transcript: Do you recall anything of the, uh, the reading there out in Salt Lake?

Segment Synopsis: Bentley tells of the reactions of other writers to the play during the summer in Utah. The origin of the play's alternate title, "Proud Flesh," is revealed. Warren's relationship with the University of Minnesota professors and administration is also elaborated upon.

Keywords: All The King's Men (Book); Allen Tate; Expressions; Joseph Warren Beach; Literary conferences; Minnesota; Proud Flesh (Book); Robert Penn Warren; Saul Bellow; Southern; Utah

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; History

Partial Transcript: One last thing comes to mind too.

Segment Synopsis: Bentley relays his experiences of his time at Yale. The nature of the Yale professors is discussed. The overall atmosphere and culture of the university at the time of Bentley's attendance is described as well.

Keywords: Pedantic; Robert Browning; Robert Penn Warren; Yale University

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Education; Friendship