MEREDITHNICHOLSONhas won most of his popularity as a novelist. He is, however, an accomplished essayist, a poet of distinction, and a keen critic of current literary and political matters. More recently, he has become interested in the writing of short stories. His home is in Indianapolis, where he was privileged to enjoy for many years an intimate friendship with James Whitcomb Riley, whose character Mr. Nicholson has sympathetically portrayed in his novel,The Poet, and in an illuminating essay inThe Atlantic Monthlyfor October, 1916.
Propaganda in such disguise needs no apology. Not only can we appreciate the cleverness of the trick as well as the earnestness of its author, but we relish what a very good thing a similar lesson would be for our own or for our neighboring cities.
At the same time, there is a worth-while character-study to be made of the Chairman of the Committee on Art, who presents a type almost as rare in fiction as it is in life.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. The student will find it interesting to make a thorough study of Barton’s character—his cynicism, his practical good sense, and all hisother prominent traits. A composition discussing all these could be made very interesting and enlightening.
2. Discuss the general political attitude of the average city councilman.
3. In an examination of the plot, what incident seems to you to mark the point of highest interest? Discuss fully.
4. How is Barton’s character relieved from any final censure for the spending of money for a statue of a rogue?
KATHLEENNORRIS, a Californian by birth, has been a voluminous writer of magazine fiction since 1910, when she contributed two stories to theAtlantic—What Happened to AlannaandThe Tide Marsh.
To those who know Kathleen Norris’sMother, nothing more need be said of this author’s ability to depict the wholesome sentiment of family life, without the sentimentality that clings to many of the ordinary short stories and novels. The less fortunate may make valuable acquaintance in the halls of Costello. F. X., Senior, 'undertaker by profession and mayor by an immense majority,' shares his position of importance by reason of the charms of his numerous offspring. Mrs. Costello is, of course, the centre of interest, as she is of the Costello circle, which means all who come within range of her generous hand and kindly word. Yet no one remains unindividualized. A few vivid strokes, and the picture is complete. If an artistic hand adds another touch now and then, we are never made conscious of technique. Especially is this true in the case of young Mrs. Church. And what more delightful could there be than the family conversations, which are quite as revealing in points of character as they are delightful in their flashes of humor?
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. What purpose does the detailed description of family life serve? Comment on the choice of detail.
2. Besides the plot, what are the most interesting elements in the story?
3. Could you suggest another climax?
4. What is gained by having Alanna solve her problem alone? How does the author arrange that the solution shall be thus accomplished?
5. Is Mrs. Church introduced for any reason other than her slight connection with the plot?
6. Is Mr. Costello as well portrayed as his wife? Can you suggest any reasons why he typifies the Irish-American rather than the native Irishman of the same rank?
7. How does Miss Norris achieve the atmosphere that she does?
8. Could the story be criticized as being sentimental?
Laura Spencer Portor(Mrs. Francis Pope) has long been engaged in literary work. Her essays and stories 'give proof of a versatility of experience as Protean as her talents.' Mrs. Pope is now connected with the editorial staff of one of the prominent New York magazines.
Perhaps that which impresses the reader most inSpendthriftsis the production of an atmosphere that makes the strange seem real, and the commonplace take on a suggestion of the fanciful. Not half so wonderful is it that the woman of the orange-colored eyes should meet the lover of her youth, now a lay Franciscan, and live again with him the story of their love before a smilingly complacent husband, as that this story should have been unfolded before the eyes of a romantic little girl who went out to see the world in a rambling old coach. The author, like the successful playwright, completely transfers us to another world. The careful preparation of atmosphere is followed by a swift march of events to a climax the more powerful by the necessity of its restraint. The gradual trailing off into the dim romantic atmosphere out of which the story grew, calls for a curtain that may be raised again only on the author’s epilogue.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. What can you say by way of comment on the somewhat leisurely beginning of this story?
2. What do you like best in the description of the old-fashioned 'bus?
3. Justify the author’s early paragraphs on the herds of dumb cattle.
4. Can you analyze the method by which the author makes even her most trivial details of the trip seem vital and interesting?
5. Is it true that most of these details—both narrative and descriptive—assume greater importance because they are seen through a child’s vision?
6. What items bring out the disturbed feelings of the Franciscan soon after he enters the 'bus?
7. Trace the details that very gradually portray the character of Louise’s husband.
8. What part does the description of the various costumes play in the portrayal of character?
9. As Louise analyzes to the Franciscan the past relations existingbetween them, do we find ourselves sympathizing with one or the other, or with neither?
10. What is the intended symbolism of the title,Spendthrifts?
11. What is symbolized by the herd of cattle?
LUCYPRATT, a frequent contributor to magazines, lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
So slight is the plot inChildren Wantedthat one might on reflection question whether there is a plot. In the actual reading, one becomes too absorbed in the very real situation that Miss Pratt presents to become coldly analytical. The vividness of Master Crosby Tarbell’s particular adventure with life is reflected, not only in the letter Mr. Henry Tarbell dispatches to a certain Pony Man, but in the reader’s own warm indignation at the carelessness, the cowardice, of compromising grown-ups in general. At the same time, Miss Pratt’s masterly use of commonplace detail, fully as much as the poignant bits of character delineation, such as that which ends the story, makes ofChildren Wantedas effective a bit of narrative technique as it is a striking example of the propagandist’s art.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. Is the chief interest of the story in the principal character or in the underlying theme?
2. Would the experience have meant as much to any child?
3. Why is the 'lady on the hill road' added to the list of customers?
4. What does Crosby’s father add to the story that Crosby’s mother could not? Would you have preferred to be told more about Mrs. Tarbell?
5. Do you find any explanations for the climax in the previous characterization of Crosby? How has the detailed description of the barn helped to reveal the lad’s sensitiveness?
ELSIESINGMASTER(Mrs. H. Lewars), a Pennsylvanian by birth and residence, has been writing at more or less irregular intervals ever since her first story was published inScribner’s Magazinetwelve or thirteen years ago. Her reputation has been largely won by her sympathetic portrayal of the Pennsylvania Dutch character.
How adequately, how finally, a person can be characterized by his own conversations, all the principals in this little Millerstowndrama demonstrate. Weakness, crudeness, selfishness, speak out their own existence. And, to shine by contrast in the midst of all this pettiness, is the figure of a man who makes the title 'Squire' mean what it has meant to certain English townships, and whatever more comes from responsibility assumed without force of precedent or hope of recompense.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. What are the elements which produce the atmosphere of crudity that stands for Millerstown? Could any description of the town produce a like effect?
2. Would it have detracted from the story if Stemmel had been more elaborately portrayed?
3. How is the solution of the case prevented from appearing melodramatic?
4. Would the Squire’s sacrifice have gained or lost power if Adam and Sula were less irresponsible?
5. How do the Squire’s actions correspond to the tradition of his title? How different are they from what might have happened in a like situation in England?
6. Do you think Adam and Sula worthy of the Squire’s interest?
7. What stories growing out of this one remain to be told? Which would be the most interesting?
Charles Haskins Townsend, an ichthyologist of international reputation, has been a member of many U. S. government commissions. His present address is The Aquarium, New York.
Gregory and the Scuttle, translated into the literal, means 'How the octopus came to the Aquarium.' In the literal version, the account might have been buried easily and unregretfully in the dry-as-dust records of the American Aquarium Society, or some such august receptacle of information; as it is, it becomes the easy, chatty adventure of one who proves himself human as well as scientific. Moreover, it behooves the practical investigator of the educative process to note that, by this sugar-coated method, various capsules of information slip down without violent contraction on the part of him who will be only entertained.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. How is the title of the story indicative of its general tone?
2. Would Gregory’s vision of the adventure have been an interesting one? What would it lack that the scientist’s has?
3. When, if ever, does the scientist take the place of the story-teller?
4. What is the chief charm of the account? Would a series of such adventures—with all necessary variation—be altogether as delightful?
EDITHWYATTwas born in Wisconsin, and educated at Chicago and Bryn Mawr. She has for years been a frequent contributor to the best of our American magazines. Her present home is in Chicago.
While listening to Miss Brackett’s naïve recital of her personal narrative, we somehow never lose consciousness of the interesting environment created in the beginning paragraphs. In most stories where the interest in surroundings is strong, we are chiefly concerned with the setting in which the incidents of the plot take place. In this instance, however, we are chiefly interested in the autumnal atmosphere in which Miss Brackett’s ingenuous tale is told. Here is Lake Michigan, all green and mist-blown, banding the whole horizon. There, in the broad southward, lie the full contours of the forest-covered dunes. And over all is the gray and purple sky of the late autumn. In the inner circle of all this is the camp, with Elsie Norris vividly portrayed in the centre. Her isolation is broken by the chance guest, who tells the intimate personal episodes, so charmingly marked by the artless notes of unselfishness. When the guest leaves and the other campers return, and Miss Norris wanders off alone to gather firewood for supper, the brooding influence of the pervading November scene is felt to be even more profound and impressive.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. What are the three or four most graphic touches in the story?
2. What, aside from the setting, is the most impressive element in the story?
3. What comment can you make on Miss Wyatt’s feeling for style? What effects does she produce?
4. Comment on the slight but suggestive glimpse of Baby’s character. What other personages in the story show their sympathy for Miss Brackett?
5. Was it worth while to say anything about Mrs. Horick? Why is she mentioned? Do the slight details contribute to the interest of the story?
6. Mention three or four items which might have been elaborated into important incidents in the narrative.