St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

Page 15 text:

' ST. JOHN'S GOLLEGIAN. 216 possible ideals, but Heine's claims to immortality rest on the fact that he completely reflected the spiritual age in which he lived and had his being, and of which he was the legitimate offspring. S. M. WOLFINGER. LOGKSLY HALL. In the course oflife our minds are oftentimes carried back to some period of our existence which seems to have for so a peculiar si gnilicance, whether it be on account of some marked success or failure, or on account of some deep affliction or sorrow. The event, whatever it may be, leaves a deep impression on our minds, and often the most trivial occurence is sufficient to cause a rush of thoughts and feelings over the occurrences of that particular time and occasion. Locksley Hall is the product of such a recollection of long past scenes and experiences, and as our first im- pressions generally count a great deal our attention is at once attracted and our sympathy enlisted by the manner in which the poem com- mences. We are so impressed with the solem nity of the occasion of the visit by Tennyson to the home of his earlier years, we feel this desire to be alone on that occasion so natural, and the influence of memories, tender or sorrowful an agency, in the overflow of feelings in words, that at once we feel that there is strong reason for inspiration' in the poem. We can easily put ourselves in the poets place, and in the dim light of early morning see in the distance Locksley Hall, gloomy and fraught with recollection overlooking the ocean where once the lovers were want to stroll, and amid the awe and stillness of that quiet hour, moved to silent meditations by the gentle rustle of leaves of overhead, there comes to us A feeling of sadness and longing That is not akin to pain, And resembles so rrow only As the mist resembles the rain. The sentiment of the poem is this, Tennyson had fallen in love with his cousin, and was betrothed to her when an unworthy suitor wins her affection, and marries her. The poets disappointment and vexation breaks- forth in scathing rebuke at the fickle- ness of heart, and in protest against social inducements to dissipation and immorality., He reviews the hopes and aspirations of his youth at the time when he was filled with ambi- tion to search deep into the mysteries of nations, forseeing wars and deso- lation, yet feeling that these would finally be ended by an united brother- hood, 'fthe Federation of the world. He yearns to drawn his emotions by a return to these reflections, yet even here there is a strain of despair for the world of knoledwge is so exten- sive that the individual is overawed with the contemplation thereof, and the little of wisdom which he has gained by experience is fraught with sadness. But, thinks he, is it not better to secure oblivion of past sor- row bv deserting civilization, and in the wilds of nature crush out all ac-

Page 14 text:

215 's'r. Joiuixrs CQLLEGIAN. U ideal, a purely spiritual' state, where. the bickerings of the real world should beforgotten in peace, affec- tion.. and purity. However much he himself might bedisqualified from participating. inlthis Elysian bliss is not pertinent to the subject. Heine united in his character something of the demon with the nobility of a god, and it is not for us to condemn a nat- ural predfection which he seemed un- able to overcome. We should rather forget failings, and generously pour out our sympathy when we think of an ardent nature like his own blight- ed by .hopeless and unrequited love. The literary iniiuence of the mid- dle ages exerted itself upon Heine. His impressible naturelwas readily receptive to its charm, and it became a bountiful source of many -of his noblest efforts. He -matured in the Romantic school and became one of as inert faithful disciples. Hispmisa was stored with myths, legends and superstitious, and with artful skill he reproduced its subtle and pleasing effects. He was perhaps the highest ideal of the Romantic school, and his free, daring' fancy, luxuriant imagi- nation, suggestive humoii, and bi-ting irony, fulfilled the most exacting re- quirements of the critical Schlegees. In politics Heine was an 'uncom- promising Liberal, and desirous of a kingdom of intellectual joy. As a member of the Romantic school he had thoroughly grasped the spirit of medimval institutions, and he viewed the political problems of his day with the convictions of the past. Germany had been prosperous under .that with a restoration of their o the old order, and Heine government, would come a revital prosperity. But he was thorou hl impractical. The men who. were work the changehad never received political training, were ignorant of business, only acquainted with art and literature, and 'it is' nogsmallt wpnder thatthe scheme was a disas- trous failure. In his political view Heinewas true to his Jewish an try and their traditions. The pcm of the middle ages appealed strongly to him, and in his Hebrew inclina- tions may be found muchfthat iniiu- enced his entire life. Heine lived in an age of intellec- tual ferment, tossed on .the tempest- uous seas of controversy, sweptzalong by the current of life and action. German life was thrilled to its very 'center with higher spiritual ideals, nobler aspirations and generous sen- tirnents. Heine voiced' the popular ideas. This boisterous life was nec- essary to the development of his gen- ius. Had he retired to the cloister and cultivated a scepticism the world would perhaps have never heard of Heinrich Heine, the poet. This would have suited the calm nature of Goethe, but if Heine had been hap- pier and less human it is doubtful if he had sung. Perhaps the aims of his intense belief were not' accom- plished, perhaps those illusions that restlessly drove him onward have vanished, perhaps the German people were too sober, and too little imagi- native, to be other than- temporarily keyed up to that groping after im-

Page 16 text:

217 sr. JOHN'S GOLLEGLAN. tivity of mind? This question is- soon answered. The mere considera-. . U POLITIQS' j tion of ,such a question is sufficient to make him revolt at the idea. The times are too advanced, inature too precious, to be lost on an untutored intellect, and immediately throwing aside those feelings which can have bitter fruit, he .preceives that there is indeed yet a goal to be reached worthy of his care and diligence. v The most 'prominent figure of speech in '4Locksley Halli' is the metaphor which is especially expressive in the lines, j Foret'ook up the glass of Time, and turned it in his glowing hands, h Every moment, lightly shaken, ran itself in golden sands. We also see word-painting in the word glowing,i' which, strained' from its ordinary rise, expresses the radiant bliss of true love. 1 Again, we notice how impressive the unfaithful-. ness of his betrothed is made byifirst telling of the happy season of court- ship, and then, in an exclamatory sentence, abruptly announcing her infidelity and his shattered hopes. Q Taking the poem as a whole, we may see points of similarity between it and ln hl6l'l101'l5Ll'1l.,, Both eX- press change of thought or purpose by means of question and answer, both begin sorrowfully, and little by little light seems to dawn upon the afliieted oneg and in both itis clearly indicated that sorrow should not be permitted to gain mastery over our better feelings, but that Men should rise on stepping stones Of their dead selves, to higher things. C. T. F., '97, THE connnes MAN IN? CFrom a Socialistic Standpoinhj f I-We publish this solely for its merit.-7ED'.j 'The charge has frequently been made that the course of instruction in Economics and Social Science 'pur-' sued in our institutions of learning, has 'been ,mainly instrumental' in making the college bred man acreaf turejof monoply and blinding himpto the :deal welfare of his country 'and the toiling masses of his countrymen.. This charge is based upon valid rea- sons. If we carefully examine the views of men graduated for. years past at our colleges we will almost in- variably iind that they are firm ad- 'herents to the pernicious system of legislation which has been so' fruitful of millionaires and mortgages, and ground the struggling workingman to poverty and despair. J T . lt -would be impossible to form an adequate conception of the injury that has been worked by the dissemg ,ination of the doctrines originally taught in the class room. Many a -young man has had his natural no- tions of right and justice sadly dwarfed, his judgment stultiiied, by the 'vague and fallacious theories ad- vanced by that wildest of all theor- ists, the -professor of Economic Science. They have taken their places 'inthe world of affairs imbued with these 'flearnedv notions concerning finance and taxationg they have enter- ed the national halls of legislation and enacted laws in conformity with