‘Tender Buttons’ by Gertrude Stein is a linguistic and stylistic experiment that defies conventional norms of prose and poetry. Published in 1914, the work is divided into three sections—Objects, Food, and Rooms—each challenging readers to engage with language in a new and unconventional manner. Stein's use of repetitive and abstract language creates a unique reading experience, inviting interpretation and exploration of meaning beyond traditional literary boundaries. A seminal piece in the realm of modernist literature, ‘Tender Buttons’ remains a complex and influential work that continues to captivate those intrigued by innovative approaches to language and expression.
About the author
Gertrude Stein (February 3, 1874 – July 27, 1946) was an American novelist, poet, playwright, and art collector.