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Elysian Writings

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Elysian Writings

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In the past, many writers have referred to Elysium. This fictional place is named after the Greek goddess of victory over evil. Today, the concept of Elysium is used in popular culture, including movies and novels. The setting of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire and Elmer Rice’s The Adding Machine is one such example. In John Betjeman’s poem, “The Hedges of Elysium”, the hedges of this city serve as the last vestiges of Elysium.

The word Elysian is an anglicized version of the Latin word Elysium, which means “plain of paradise.” The Greek word elysium refers to a paradisiacal place that is believed to be the dwelling place of the blessed after death. Its meaning is heavenly. In other words, it’s like the land of Eden. And it’s true: Elysium is a place where the blessed will live forever.