User:Chelseybruhn/sandbox

Early Life
Octavio Armand was born in Guantanamo, Cuba 1946. He lived in Cuba in his youth and attended an American school where he learned to speak both English and Spanish. His parents worried for his future since they were exiled from Cuba twice. Octavio said that he does not fear what he did not have as a child. For example, he states that he does not worry the culture and language he lacked when growing up in Cuba, instead he writes about the "espacio" between him and his cultural background.

Career
Octavio was influenced by many artist, especially painters. In an interview, he states that he admires the way that the painters express their thoughts into writing. Armand is known for his many poems and essays. Octavio Armand did not have interest in writing novels or books but is renowned for his works that he has published. He said that he felt that "novels [are] hinged. " He has 57 published works and 131 publications to his name. Although he lived outside of Cuba for many years after being exiled, themes of space and philosophical ideas began to arise throughout his work. Many of his works are translated between Spanish and English. He enjoyed the Spanish language and pursued his desire to have his Spanish works published. He claimed to have "translated Spanish to Spanish " due to the complexity of the ideas he was trying to convey. Octavio was known for his unique grasp of the Spanish language and his usage of the language throughout his many works. He continues to write today.

Themes
Some reoccurring themes include the use of the word "espacio" and the way he chooses to write in two languages. In an interview he claims that the word "espacio", which translates to 'space' in English, was his metaphorical word to describe how he is the space and about how he lacks a relationship with his country of origin. There are many examples, in the interviews, referring to Octavio's inspiration as well as his strong opinions about the Spanish language. They tap into the authors mind and show how he believes that "Spanish is a dead language. " Octavio mentions that the senses of touch and sight are of a huge influence on his poems and essays. He also claimed that he loved poetry because of how precise it is. To Armand, being precise meant that you were lying less. Octavio Armand also preferred only writing poems and essays because of his dislike of novels. He felt that they were hindered, binding him to one plot with so many characters.