Jean Genet

Date of Birth: December 19, 1910

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: April 15, 1986

Biography

Jean Genet was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist born on December 19, 1910. Abandoned by his mother at a young age, Genet spent much of his youth in foster care and reform schools. His early life of petty crime and imprisonment profoundly influenced his writing. Genet’s literary career began with his novel “Our Lady of the Flowers,” which he wrote while incarcerated. His subsequent works, including “The Thief’s Journal,” “Querelle of Brest,” and plays like “The Maids,” “The Balcony,” and “The Blacks,” cemented his reputation as a provocative and influential figure in 20th-century literature. Genet’s works often explore themes of existentialism, identity, and the nature of good and evil, challenging societal norms and conventions. His unique voice and controversial subjects garnered both acclaim and criticism, but he remained an iconic figure in the world of literature. Besides writing, Genet was also known for his political activism, particularly his support for marginalized groups, including the Black Panthers and the Palestinian liberation movement. Jean Genet passed away on April 15, 1986, leaving behind a legacy as one of France’s most enigmatic and provocative writers.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Genet

1. Jean Genet wrote his first novel, “Our Lady of the Flowers,” while he was in prison.

2. He was abandoned by his mother at just seven months old and spent much of his early life in foster care.

3. Genet was a political activist and supported groups such as the Black Panthers and the Palestinian liberation movement.

4. His works often explore themes of existentialism and the nature of good and evil.

5. Despite his criminal past, Jean Genet became one of the most celebrated literary figures in France.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Genet

1. “What I did not yet know so intensely, but what I felt, was that the desire to be a saint and the desire to be a criminal are the same.”

2. “A man must dream a long time in order to act with grandeur, and dreaming is nursed in darkness.”

3. “Excluded by my birth and tastes from the social order, I was not aware of its diversity. Nothing in the world was irrelevant; everything was meaningful.”

4. “Crimes of which a people is ashamed constitute its real history. The same is true of man.”

5. “Power may be at the end of a gun, but sometimes it’s also at the end of the shadow or the image of a gun.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jean Genet’s exact net worth is not well-documented, but as an influential literary figure, his works achieved substantial critical acclaim and have been translated into multiple languages, contributing to his financial success.