Iannuccilli: Diary of a Writer in Quarantine

Iannuccilli: Diary of a Writer in Quarantine

For years, I have been writing a diary, and I have accumulated a cadre of notebooks with a host of things recorded, mostly about writing . . . ideas, passages from great writers, books to read and reread, resources, etc. More recently, my diary has been about the coronavirus epidemic and its effect on me and my family.

Walking our peaceful neighborhood helps me generate more ideas. It is a comforting, uplifting and creative way to pass the time.

On my way, I thought of Samuel Pepys, author of the famous Pepys’ Diary, one I read so many years ago. I remembered little of what he wrote, so I did some research (another interesting, informative way to fill time).  Lo and behold, I discovered that, among many other things, he wrote of the plague in England in the 1600s. It is remarkable that what he wrote so applies to our situation today. First, a little about Pepys.

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Samuel Pepys, born in London in 1633, studied at Cambridge and became a bureaucrat, rising high in government.  In 1660, he began to keep a diary, recording the activities of his daily life for almost ten years.  Pepys has been called the greatest diarist of all time because his frankness and the accuracy in writing of everyday British life is remarkable. His topics encompassed so much: the court, the theatre, his household, major political events, and social occurrences. I was surprised to read his writings of the plague.

The Plague, carried by rat-borne fleas struck European cities every decade or two.  Pepys recorded the 1665 plague’s arrival in London: ----- ‘Great fears of the sicknesses here in the City, its being said that two or three houses are already shut up’.  At least 70,000 Londoners died, one in six of its inhabitants. Yet, still, on New Year’s Eve, Pepys celebrated his prosperity, writing ---- ‘to our great joy the town fills apace, and shops begin to be open again’. Optimistic, he refused to leave London’s threat.

There is much to compare with our coronavirus epidemic today. Pepys’ Diary was a monument to courage and the triumph of the human spirit. It will be so for us at some point. 

In my diary, I try to capture Pepys’ spirit and hope. I write of my daily walks, my readings, and my good fortune. The afternoon can be bright and cheerful. So what if it isn’t? So what if people move over, keeping distance, screw themselves away. They say “Hello” with a smile, a cheerful sociability, notwithstanding the strained, eager, worry in their voices. An agitated desire to get outdoors can take possession of you. It’s OK if it does. Make the best of difficult circumstances, for there is always someone suffering more.

I’m glad I remembered Pepys. There is a lesson to be learned from his confidence, enthusiasm, and spirit.

Try not to look at these days as gloomy. Try not to lose confidence. If you feel choked and walled in, immerse yourself in a diary. The day will improve.

Ed Iannuccilli is the author of "Growing up Italian" and "What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner?" and "My Story Continues" can be found here.