Hudson High School - True Blue Yearbook (Hudson, WI)

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TRUE BLUE nearly all countries religious in its teaching and portrayed truths which moulded human character. The Greeks and Hindoos alone produced the drama originally and independently of foreign inlluences hence the modern drama is a direct progeny of the Greek stage. Two conditions arc necessary for the production of a great and national drama—a period of intense activity or excitement and a public that appreciates works of art. This is proven by a study of Grecian history and of the Elizabethan age. The earliest dramatic representations were of Bible scenes. These for a long time in the hands of the priests were performed in the churches then in the churchyards and finally in the streets. The Guilds took charge of them on scaffolds of three stages thus representing heaven, earth and hell. The next slip was the erection of theaters and the introduc- tion of scenery in this manner passing from a religious service to one of the most popular amusements of the day. The two divisions of the drama—comedy and tradgedy, deal respectively with the lighter scenes of life and with its deepest problems. The American drama has always shown a great dependence upon former times and models since even after beautiful scenic effects have been placed upon the stage, it still retains the old style of plot. A dramatist to be successful must amuse and interest his audience. Censorship of the drama would take away many of the objec- tionable features found in some of the existing dramas and render them sources of culture and education to many people. Taste is rising to meet the dramatist as more and better plays are being put upon the stage every day. Two Queens of England. By Bertha Herum. Bertha Herum in her Essay “Two Queens of England” com- pared the lives, character and reigns of Victoria and Elizabeth. The motherless, secluded and poverty stricken childhood of

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() TRUE BLUE known, and the Puritan movement springs from it as a side light. The Puritans banished from England, went first to Holland, then to America, a step to be justified, for they had been compelled to worship according to the King’s dictation. Preparing to obey God rather than man, they suffered many privations in the new country; to be in constant dread, both for their homes and government. But worse than even these, was the fear that they could not live up to their high ideals of life. The The fact that they did live up to them amid so much suffering, makes their heroism seem the greater. The Puritans were not heroes and heroines simply because they were stout hearted, but because they were stout hearted for an ideal religious liberty. Ex- cept for their belief in witchcraft, and for their intolerance of other’s opinions, they were distinguished for their common sense. The Puritan used reason to explain the sacred text, holding every one responsible for his own opinions. This latter element has made America the leader in the civilized world of today. The highest happiness was to serve the Lord, and gave to life a grand and holy ideal. Puritanism as form of government, failed, but the spirit could not die, and helped to give America its present ideals. Their se- riousness of mind is also a part of our National character. Will we be remembered two hundred and fifty years hence for devotion to ideals? The Civil War is one example of giving life for a great cause; and there are many others which we do not see clearly now. We are steadily working upward toward a more beautiful ideal of God, not thinking of him as a despot, but as our Friend and Guide. This is a spirit of Puritanism and let us strive to have more of it. Synopsis of “The Drama” By Bessie Bell. Bessie Bell discussed the evolution of the drama, bringing out the fact that literature is not manufactured but grows and is a representation of real and imaginative life. The drama is a great object lesson and in early times was in

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8 TRUE BLUE Elizabeth was a painful contrast to that of the dearly loved, tender- ly guarded Victoria Elizabeth imprisoned in the Tower, in con- stant fear of death, studied diligently her Latin and Greek, while Victoria under the protection of a fond mother was instructed in the tine arts, the continental languages, and all branches of study that would fit her for the throne of England. The beautiful happy wedded life of Victoria has ever been the admiration of the world. Elizabeth sacrificed domestic happiness to the interests of her people, realizing that her marriage would cause dissension between the Catholic and the Protestant elements of her country. Victoria was frank, open, gallant and fearless. The secret of her power lay in “thinking of her subjects first and herself afterwards.” Elizabeth was firm, resolute, bold and courageous. She wanted her own way but “always kept her finger on the pulse of the peo- ple, and when she felt that opposition was in store gracefully yield- ed her wishes to theirs. ” The reign of the one began in perplex- ities, of the other in a blaze of popularity. Elizabeth found a people poor, dispirited, rude and uneducated, an ambitious nobility and a government encumbered with debts. In spite of all these difficulties she made her reign one of the most famous in history. Victoria found a people developing their resources on an im- mense scale, improving their transportation facilities and winning new laurels in every science and art. “In Victoria the English people found a wiser, gentler, hap- pier, Elizabeth and the most constitutional monarch the English government has ever had.” Scott, the Masterspirit of Historical Romance By Leonore Crogan. Leonore Crogan showed that a study of the life and character of Scott gives a better insight and knowledge of his writings. As he was a weak, frail child his early life was spent in the country. The scenery and ballads of picturesque Scotland made a deep impression on the child’s mind. He was a great reader. This trait together with an excellent