"Days of 1935" draft

Item

Merrill, James. 1970. “‘Days of 1935’ Draft”. Series_IV_Manuscripts, James Merrill: Life and Archive, accessed February 11, 2026, https://digitalexhibits.library.wustl.edu/s/james-merrill-life-and-archive/item/38413

Title: "Days of 1935" draft
Description: Published in Braving the Elements, "Days of 1935" was a fantasy narrative about being kidnapped as a boy, a la the "Lindbergh baby," reflecting a real fear the wealthy had after the kidnapping and death of Charles Lindbergh's infant son, in 1932. Rather than being scared by his kidnappers, however, the young narrator ends up being fascinated and even appreciative of them. The comic poem represented Merrill's adult understanding of his adolescent need for attention and escape, and of his budding sexual identify.
Date: Circa 1970
Type: Manuscripts
Format: paper; jpeg
Creator: Merrill, James
Extent: 6 leaves. Recto and verso.
Language: English
Relation: Series_IV_Manuscripts; Exhibit Cases 1-2: Love and Money; James Merrill: Life and Art, pp. 42-4
Source: James Merrill Papers (MSS083) - Box 129, Folder 3106
Identifier: Days_of_1935-001.jpg
Days_Of_1935-003.jpg
Days_Of_1935-004.jpg
Days_Of_1935-005.jpg
Days_Of_1935-006.jpg
Series_IV_1_a_Poems_Days of 1935_a_001.jpg
Days_of_1935_002.jpg
Rights: In copyright
Subject: Merrill, James, 1926-1995

Item sets: Merrill; Merrill Life Archive

Site pages: Love and Money - Manuscripts

Media: Series_IV_1_a_Poems_Days of 1935_a_001.jpg; Days_of_1935-001.jpg; Days_of_1935_002.jpg; Days_Of_1935-003.jpg; Days_Of_1935-004.jpg; Days_Of_1935-005.jpg; Days_Of_1935-006.jpg