Interview with Harriette S. Arnow, October 5, 1982

Interview Summary

Arnow, born in Wayne County, Kentucky, the second of six children, grew up in Burnside, Kentucky. Arnow's grandmother told sad and frightening stories of the French and Indian War. Her father's stories were funny. Arnow did not read before going to school. She did well overall in school, earning very low grades in penmanship. Arnow recalls that the school library when she was growing up was comprised of a dictionary and an encyclopedia. Berea College had a fifty dollar fine for smoking. She figured that anything worth fifty dollars must be really good, and started to smoke. After college, Arnow spent some time as a teacher. At the University of Louisville, Arnow joined the Chi Delta Phi writing sorority. Writing style and what makes a good book are addressed. Arnow discusses what is needed to be a good writer. Also discussed: metaphor, collaboration social history, and and her personal garden.

Interview Keyword

Jack and the Beanstalk Lisle Stockings Makeup Bloomers Appalachia Angles Saxons Dulcimers Folk University of Louisville Metaphor

Interview LC Subject

Authors, American--Kentucky Intellectual life Literature Jack and the Beanstalk Berea (Ky.) Lisle Stockings Makeup Bloomers Appalachia Angles Saxons Classicism Depressions--1929--United States

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.