arabic known syrian writer poet movement arabic renaissance revived tradition literary middle_east syrian woman publish collection poetry woman write arab daily newspapers life background education born city ottoman syria present day syria old family merchants known literary interests having earned wealth standing 18th century family established gone troubles relative greek orthodox april catholics exiled priest father tried conflict writing treatise rejected built large private library children francis thorough education particularly field arabic language literature quoted mother famous family major intellectual center ottoman_empire featuring writers concerned future arabs french missionary schools family learnt arabic french foreign languages italian english providing daughter education time middle eastern women received parents challenged widespread belief girl educated sit men reception room quoted year old daughter school later educated finally went english school addition formal education schools exposed french cultures father brothers especially subject arabic literature biographies mention excelled french arabic mathematics played sang beautifully historian wrote unique people looked different eye initially wished remain single persuaded marry mother death chose husband local christian family son daughters literary career early started contributing articles poems journals especially articles criticized condition arab women urging regardless religious seek education express matters concern collection poetry daughter thought published granted permission ottoman government print book composing poem included collection praised ottoman governors poetry traditional style brother francis exemplified composed lament death home poetry french especially said emergence woman writing press composing poetry dark era significant event recent history shows rare men read write appearance dark nights like bright star center heavens non fiction works include history late ottoman syria book subject salon famous salon held home shared husband travelled europe impressed saw life related return turned house gathering place group celebrated writers met regular basis friendship discuss literature music political social issues according supporting created salon seeing similar ones europe case start scratch participants regular visitors family home meet father brothers members salon included prominent intellectuals sexes addition politicians members foreign diplomatic corps fully engaged intellectual discourse entertain guests playing singing described typical evenings spent salon wearing black white dresses ordered paris hosted mixed evening literary topics varied cycle seven pre islamic poems work discussed chess card games played complicated poetry competitions took place wine flowed freely participants sang danced listened records played presumed description partly
Maryana Marrash