The Dark Side of Genius: Writers & Poets Whose Tragic Deaths Rival Their Works

İrem Uğur
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Writers and poets arouse curiosity in readers not only with their works but also with their lives. Because deep down we know that one can't write what one hasn't lived. For this reason, while reading the works of these writers and poets, we wonder whether there is a piece of their lives. We even think about their private lives and deaths. We have examined the writers and poets who attracted attention with their deaths for you. Let's learn about their death stories, which are a little bitter and a little sad.

The melancholic princess of the literary world: Sylvia Plath

The author secured her place in literature history when she wrote 'The Bell Jar,' the first American feminist book. Plath lived a short but productive life and gifted the world with many valuable works. Born in 1932, she was primarily known as a poet during her lifetime, but gained notoriety after her death. Plath's works also delved into the problematic relationships she experienced during her childhood.

Plath's death, as a result of her lifelong struggle with manic depression, was as dramatic as her life. In February 1963, she left her children in their bedrooms, sealing the doors with tape to prevent gas from entering, and then went to the kitchen, turned on the gas, and ended her life by putting her head in the oven. Plath had attempted suicide before but failed. Unfortunately, this time she succeeded and passed away.

Was the death of Furug Ferruhzad an accident or an assassination?

Ferruhzad bravely addressed the oppression and suffering of Iranian women and became one of the most important writers in the Middle East. Born in 1934, the writer managed to become the voice not only of Iranian women but of women all over the world. 

The rebellion in the author's works came from her life, and Ferruhzad's rebellious life ended with a car accident at the age of 32. Ferruhzad was driving a car and hit a wall to avoid hitting a children's bus. Many sources have stated that it was an accident, but others have suggested that it was an assassination.

Balzac and his murderous passion for coffee.

We know Balzac thanks to his immortal works such as Lily of the Valley and Father Goriot. Honore de Balzac, one of the valuable names of French literature, has managed to write his name in the history of literature with his works. The author's talent for observation and his power in depicting the human soul is an indisputable fact. Although Balzac's death is not very interesting, the cause of his death is quite interesting. 

Balzac was known for his addiction to coffee and even said that a writer cannot create a work without drinking coffee. This coffee-loving writer passed away in 1850 due to heart failure. What caused him to suffer from this disease was the cups of coffee he drank every day.

A lifelong depression and Virginia Woolf

Woolf was a British writer who struggled with depression throughout her life, eventually leading to her suicide. She left behind immortal works, such as 'A Room of One's Own,' 'The Waves,' and 'Mrs. Dalloway,' that have secured her place in literary history. Despite her remarkable contributions, Woolf faced many difficulties in her life due to both her mood and past traumas. In 1941, her depression worsened, and she feared losing her mind, leading her to commit suicide.

The renowned writer walked to the River Ouse, filled her pockets with stones, and threw herself into the water, where she drowned and passed away. In her final words to her husband, she wrote, 'Darling, I fear I'm going mad again. I can't go back to those terrible moments. I can't recover this time. I'm hearing voices, I can't focus on anything, so I'm doing what I think is best.'

The writer who couldn't stand the war and decided to die: Stefan Zweig

Zweig, the Australian writer known for works such as 'Chess' and 'The Amok Runner,' was one of the many writers who chose to end their lives through suicide. Zweig's works showcased his knowledge of psychology and allowed readers to see characters from various perspectives, which earned him widespread attention. Despite his success, the author could not bear the pain of the world.

The global war and events in Hitler's Germany were too much for Zweig to handle. While the Nazis burned the books of many writers, including his own, Zweig could not escape the impact of these events. He ultimately made the decision to take his own life, offering to die alongside his wife. He drank from a bottle of poison and passed it to her.

Zweig told his wife that she could join him whenever she wanted. She asked him, 'Do you love me?' to which he replied, 'Yes.' She then drank from the bottle of poison.

Death on the way to peace: Tolstoy

Tolstoy, one of the most successful writers of Russian literature, who wrote on both social and individual issues, decided to flee his family and home to find peace at the age of 82. One morning after this decision, Tolstoy takes his little daughter and the doctor with him and runs away from home leaving a farewell letter to his wife. 

In the farewell letter, the following sentences are written; 'My departure will cause you pain, I am sorry, believe me and realize that I can't do otherwise. My situation at home was and is unbearable. Among other reasons, I could not continue to live as I used to live, in luxurious circumstances, and, following the custom of old men of my age, I wanted to leave the world and spend the last days of my life in silence and solitude.' After a while, Tolstoy, who couldn't continue on his way, couldn't find a place to stay in the neighborhood and was placed in a house belonging to the station. The famous writer passed away in this small house.

The poet who died by falling into a pit: Orhan Veli Kanik

The poet Orhan Veli, one of the founders of the Garip movement, lived his entire life with poems for 36 years. In 1950, the poet went to Ankara, where he fell into a pit while walking and injured his head. After this accident, the poet returned to Istanbul and continued his life as if nothing had happened. 

One evening, while having dinner at a friend's house, the poet collapsed and was hospitalized. It is realized too late that the poet had a cerebral hemorrhage due to a cracked blood vessel in his brain, and the poet, who had fallen into a coma the evening he was hospitalized, passes away.