Interview with Matthew Bruccoli, May 13, 1981

Partial Transcript: The following is an unrehearsed interview with Professor Matthew Bruccoli for the Robert Penn Warren Oral History Project.

Segment Synopsis: Bruccoli recalls his first encounters with Warren, which took place when the interviewee was an undergraduate at Yale, and Warren a professor. A course that Bruccoli took from Warren in fiction writing is also described. Warren and his relationship to the university as a whole is speculated upon. Warren's professorial methods in the classroom are revealed as well. Then, details of the class are explored, including the workload and a novel that the students read. Lastly, Warren's treatment of the students is highlighted, along with exactly how Warren and Bruccoli met.

Keywords: Agents; Apartments; Fiction writing; Kind; Methods; Robert Penn Warren; Rudyard Kipling; Silliman College; The Man Who Would Be King (Book); Undergraduate students; Writers; Yale University

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

Partial Transcript: During, uh, that term, uh, Mr. Warren married, uh, Eleanor Clark.

Segment Synopsis: Warren's marrying of Eleanor Clark is recounted, as well as a visit by Eudora Welty to the classroom. A class discussion on Welty is also mentioned. Warren's signing of a copy (which belonged to Bruccoli) of "All the King's Men" is remembered as well. Bruccoli talks about encountering Warren and his editor years after the interviewee's time at Yale. Lastly, topics of conversation between the group are also examined.

Keywords: Albert Russel Erskine, Jr.; All the King's Men (Book); Books; Conversations; Eleanor Clark; Eudora Welty; Literary; Robert Penn Warren; Students; Table Talk (Book); Weddings; Westport (Conn.)

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Education; Life; Professors; Travel

Partial Transcript: Uh, you say exciting, uh, how did the other students respond to Mr. Warren?

Segment Synopsis: Dynamics between Warren and his students are investigated. The students' perceptions of Warren are relayed as well. Warren's classroom decorum is also mentioned. The change in Warren's demeanor following his second marriage is briefly mentioned. Correspondence between Warren and Bruccoli after their respective periods at Yale is discussed.

Keywords: Albert Russel Erskine, Jr.; Behavior; Expectations; Letters; Relaxed; Robert Penn Warren; Students; Teaching

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

Partial Transcript: Uh, one more thing perhaps.

Segment Synopsis: Warren and his relationship with Yale and its students is investigated. Warren's nature and socialization with students is compared to that of other Yale professors. The various authors that Warren used in the classroom are listed as well. Notables include Hemingway and Henry James.

Keywords: Boundaries; Conversations; Dining halls; Diversity; Earnest Hemingway; Henry James; Meals; Personalities; Robert Penn Warren; Rudyard Kipling; Silliman College; Yale University

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