Eleanor McMain High School - Echoes Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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the Buddhist proverbs which repre- sent a rare quality of philosophyg Japan is rich in these sayings. We note with interest that, al- though the burning of incense is em- ployed in religious rites and cere- monies, the costlier incenses are manufactured chiefly for social en- tertainment. To fascinate the reader to an even greater degree is the skill of the author in portraying excel- lant descriptions, and -revealing more and more interesting facts, always with a personal touch, indicating his. own familiarity with the Far East. Lafcadio Hearn gives us a tangible understanding of a novel people, hav- ing queer customs, ideals and philo- sophies of life. Virginia Mazza, '42, Out of the East Lafcadio Hearn REVERIES and studies of Japan make this book most entertain- ing. As a resident and teacher of Japan, the author beautifully explains and describes landscapes, customs, religion, and beliefs of the Japanese. Some of their practices are better understood because they are demon- strated by interesting anecdotes taken from the queer and weird practices of Oriental life. Through many luminous descrip- tions, we understand, know, and love Japan more than we ever have be- fore: our anxiety to visit it grows greater and greater at the turn of each page. While reading this book, we are taken on a tour through Japan, stop- ping to meditate on statues, people, and strange facts about this primi- tive country. One of the fascinating parts of the book is a story of two unhappy lov- ers.--Taro and O-Yoshi, who finally forfeit their lives because they were destined not to marryg incidentally, -many lovers of Japan meet this same tragic end. Out of the East is a well-balanced and easily digested diet on the whole subject of Japan. Its style is simple and direct. It is not merely another book on old Japan-it is an- other book in the sense that it con- firms the record of others. Because Lafcadio Hearn was an excellent journalist, as well as an alert observ- er, his stories are most stimulating. Eileen Waltzer, '42, Karma By Lafcadio Hearn IN recent years the works of La- fcadio Hearn have been greatly popularized and have been made practically immortal. His writings possess alluring details and one of his rare talents was the combining of a tale, usually true, with an essay on an abstract subject. In Karma , Lafcadio Hearn has illustrated an ideal love basing it, perhaps on an experience of his own, to interpret his feelings. It is a very bewildering tale in which there are only two charactersg a strange situation arises when the heroine, in reply to the hero's pro- posal, states, Go home now-write down everything you would not like me to know. And then I shall tell you whether I will marry you. At first this seemed very simple to the young gentleman, but when he attempted the letter, the task grew exceedingly difficult. All youthful follies became criminal offenses and the young man suffered the mental agony all lovers seem to endure at one time or another. His courage won out however, and the letter, fi- nally written, was sent. It was now that he was to suffer even more, for his true love, determined that he should make amends for his greatest sin, would not consider him until this task of making amends had 'been ac- complished. lile endured a severe but just punishment for his youthful folly, and earned his reward-his true love didifinally consent to mar- ry him. This is an extremely mystifying tale and in many respects similar to those of Edgar Allen Poe. Although it lacks morbidness and gruesome- ness, there is much left to the read- er's imagination and much to be con- cluded in his own manner. The tale is absorbing because it keeps one in continual suspenseg it also teaches a moral. Karma is a realistic and in- triguing story and truly one that will continue to be widely read. Jack Souderes, '43, Kwaidon Lafcadio Hearn UKWAID0N, Meaning Weird Tales, consists of a group of quaint Japanese stories, taken from ancient books of that country, de- picting the legends and beliefs of the simple natives of the Far East. So simply and vividly are the stdries presented, that the reader feels he is hearing them from the lips of an old Japanese farmer and is soon lost in the mysteries that so swiftly unfold themselves before him. The evenness of expression, and the eloquence with which he presents the stiring episodes, help us to understand why Lafcadio Hearn's contributions to literature are considered unique. One of the most interesting of the short stories is The Story of Mimi- Nashi-Hoichi, or Hoichi the Earl- ess, which portrays the terrible ex- periences of Hoichi, a blind man who was famed for his skill in recitation. He was under the impression that he was playing for a distinguished audi- ence in a magnificent ho-me, but when his friends found him, he was sitting in front of the memorial tomb of a wealthy nobleman, having an- swered, unknowingly the call of the dead. He is told 'by his friend, a Buddhist priest, that he is now under the power of these evil spirits and that, unless he is able to resist them the next time he is called, he will suffer a gruesome death at their hands. After covering every inch of his body with sacred prayers except his ears, he goes on the veranda to await the arrival of the spirits. The ghouls are so infuriated when they discovered that they have been thwarted in their plans, they rip off the only exposed part of Hoichi's body-his ears. This is only one il- lustration of the many weird and ter- rible scenes which occur in Kwai- don. As we continue to read these lucid descriptions, we find ourselves car- ried out of everyday existence, into a life of mystery and wonder, under the influence of old Japan. Ann Jones, '42. Two Years in the French West Indies Lafcadio Hearn RECAPTURING all the charm and color of a sojourn in the West Indies, this book by Lafcadio Hearn presents a Vivid picture of the cus- toms and everyday life in these ro- mantic tropical islands. The reader is taken abroad a steamer and, by this medium, is transported to a magical fairyland, minutely described fContinued on page 441 Forty-Iwo E'C'H'0'E'S

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66,5 euiew.s .. .nn, cou, Editor's Note: Vacation is just around the corner, and we book lovers are planning to spend murh time, reatl- mg. lVe give, in this issue, a few sugges- tions for light summer reading, selevtea' from the unique Lafcadio Hearn rol- leetion at the new Howard-Tilton Me- morial Library ou the Tulane University campus. Because of the zfividness and charm of his style and, the beautiful and delirate descriptions, Lafeaflio Hearn holds such a high place in the interest of his readers, that we have reviewed sei'- eral ol his best books, hoping that you will read these and return to sthool next autumn, alter having reabed a rieh harr- est of neu- thoughts and ideas. Jeanne. The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn THE letters of a man are a true in-- troduction to his character, no biographer, no matter how skillful, can portray the life of a man better than can his own correspondence. Elizabeth Bisland, realizing this, col- lected the letters of her famous rela- tive and, with a little necessary editing and a brief introductory biography, published them that the world might gain an insight into the thoughts and feelings of a great man. Elizabeth Bisland, following the lat- est trend in thought, reveals only the circumstances under which the genius of this man developed, omit- ting the weaknesses and sordid details sought by the curious. Lafcadio Hearn early cast aside the authority of his aunt as well as that of his teachers and, wandering rest- lessly, traveled in Europe, until at the age of nineteen, penniless, deli- cate, half-blind, and without a friend, he cross to America, where he served an author's apprenticeship, living in New York, Cincinnati, Tennessee, and New Orleans, and finally in the West Indies. Then, as a master-Workman, he left for the Orient where he lost his faculty for vivid, glowing descrip- tions of the tropics, yet found an- other style in which to portray the feeble, ghostly things in this soft, dreamy, pale, gentle, visionary Japan. His queer, charming sketches win our admiration because they are exquisite, sensitive, and original, and because they bring tears to our eyes and remain long in our memory. In the last stage of his life, Hearn- happy with a devoted family-con- E-C-H-0-E-S ceived the deepest love for Japan- his adopted fatherland. Despite the bitter permutations of life, Lafcadio Hearn kept to his ideals and beliefs, it may be truly said of him, as..Miss Bisland with sy-mpathy and tenderness exclaims, he was among those who strove for the im- memorial grandeur of their calling, were dazzled 'by none of the great world-lights, and used their gift as a stepping-stone to no meaner life, but clear-eyed and patient, still pursued art singly for her own immortal sake. Jeanne Marcoux, '42, 2 . . 5- Q- ,-irfp., in, ' ,gf LAFCADIO HEARN Chita: A Memory of Last Island Lafcadio Hearn LAFCADIO HEARN'S realistic novel, Chita , depicts scenes as- sociated with Grand Isle, a place fa- miliar to all natives of Southern Louisiana. The plot is based on a tidal disaster which the author wit- nessed while spending the summer of 1884 on that island. Through his vivid descriptions of the islands, swamps, and bayous of our Pelican State and through ex- citing but sad incidents, the author reveals a melancholy tale of a small, Creole girl, Zouzoune, who was found after a terrible wreck. There is no evidence concerning her identity, and she is adopted by the kindly old couple, Feliu and Carmen Viosca, who name her Conchita, the name of their own child whom they had lost years before. Soon, from a frail, delicate child, she develops into a healthy, strong, and sun-tanned youngster, living a carefree life on a small island among a group of Spanish settlers. At first, she dreaded the cruel sea because it had taken her beloved mother from her, but through Feliu's careful train- ing, she learns to swim and to love the water. How Chita's father dead, suddenly appears and how he is drawn to the island unaware of what he will find there, is told stir- ringly by the author. The local color, characters, inci- dents, and situations are presented with interesting realism, and the plot is written in the usual skillful man- ner so characteristic of Lafcadio Hearn's style. supposedly Helen Davis, '42, Glimpses of Ghostly japan Lafcadio Hearn UGLIMPSES of Ghostly Japan teems with the local color of that quaint land of Buddhas and high priests. The author, Lafcadio Hearn, very lucidly depicts Japanese folklore 'by cleverly unfolding the deep mysteries of a strange people. Enchanted by the wierd, Eastern atmosphere, the reader is carried away into gloomy temples where good and evil spirits dwellg he is fascinated by the romantic legends of beautiful Japanese girls and hand- some young samurai who lend a tinge of sentiment to these fantasies based upon divination and passional karmas -the binding together of the living and the dead. The author tells of the sinifi- cance of bits of Oriental poetry, which, unless clearly analyzed, would paint a very vague picture in the Westerner's mind. Every word is a complete thought within itself. Peo- ple of the lower as well as the upper classes write poems that are inscrib- ed upon the walls of the humblest houses. Treated in like manner are ' Forty-one

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Reel Review . 4- Men of Boys Town THE sequel to the memorable Boys Town which remains a pleasant -memory, is a drama based on an original story, fictitious except as to the setting of Boys Town in Nebraska and the character of Fath- er Flanagan. Spencer Tracy again takes the part of Father Flanagan, without whom there would be no Boys Town. Mickey Rooney por- trays Whitey Morgan, the dynamic boy-mayor of the school. These two stars are the first to repeat real academy award perform- ances in a sequel to the original pic- ture. Spencer Tracy made a fine and touching gesture in presenting his academy award statue to the real Father Flanagan with the message, It is really yours, for without your inspiration and example ever before me, I could never have successfully played such a role. As able as Father Flanagan fSpen- cer Tracyj may have been at look- ing after the moral and spiritual well-being of his boys' characters, he was much too engrossed to worry about finances of the institution, and gradually the financial situation be- came critical. Father Flanagan could think only of the dire necessity of more room for the accommodation of the many homeless lads he was compelled to turn away daily. These boys, dejected and disappointed at the failure of what seemed their last hope, resorted to criminal offenses and consequently were thrown into reform schools which served only as places to learn more clever ways to outwit representatives of the law and order. Eventually those waifs grow into confirmed criminals, resentful of human society, shunning and hating people everywhere. Mickey Rooney's performance was excellent as usual. His admiration for Father Flanagan was so intense as to be almost akin to worship. Father Flanagan had taught Whitey a decent respect for God and man, and had developed in him the desir- able qualities so necessary for suc- cessful manhood, yet so lacking in some of the youth of today-unfail- ing loyalty, respect for right and truth, consciencious performance of E-C-H-O-E-S duty, and a love and understanding of his fellow man. In the course of the story ample opportunity is presented for Whitey to prove how well he has learned to apply Father Flanagan's teaching. When such a time came, he did not fail the man who had put so much trust and faith in him. Little Pee-Wee, Whitey's sha- dow-pal at Boys Town, supplies some of the humor of the picture. This was essential to the movie's success, for today more than ever before, Americans need to laugh for laughs are precious in these serious days. Whitey, Father Flanagan, and Pee-Wee played vital parts in the recovery of a boy who had a broken back and needed will-power more than anything else to recover. He was an example of what the unmerci- ful cruelty practiced in some of our reform schools does to its inmates. His bitterness against the world and utter indifference to life is at last overcome through the combined ef- forts and patient watchfulness of these three. The story blends the financial dif- ficulties of the school with a deep human understanding -of boys' minds and an expose of reform school bru- tality in America. It is a highly ef- fective message for good. Rosalyn Mitchell, '41 ,lf Pls if The Dcvil and Miss jones IN The Devil and Miss Jones, Jean Arthur as 'Mary Jones is out once more to lend a helping hand- this time to her fellow department store employees whom she is trying to unionize with the aid of her friend Joe fRobert Cummingsj. The dev- il who has made -organization neces- sary is J. P. Merrick fCharles Co- burnl, the richest man in the world and owner of the store, a fact he remembered only when the dissatis- fied employees hanged him in effigy. Becoming impatient with detec- tives who fail to discover the ring- leaders, Mr. Merrick goes into his own store as a shoe salesman. Re- maining there incognito was an easy matter because he had never allowed his photograph to be taken. Mary Jones gives him fifty cents, believing him to be destitute, and Elizabeth fSpring Byingtonb shares her lunch with him. Without the least bit of 'effort on his part, Merrick gains their confidence and finds that the real troublemakers are Mary and Joe. He also comes to realize that they are not mere agitators but are struggling to gain the employees some measure of security. His own disagreeable encounters with the store authorities convince him that it is they who are at fault and after many hilarious scenes, particularly to one in which he is compelled to eat the very paper with the list of names that was his objective, peace and tranquility are restored. Mr. Merrick's opinion of Joe chang- es completely when he saves him from jail by reciting the Constitu- tion and Declaration of Independence to a bewildered police sergeant who is so confused that he drops all charges in self-defense. The human interest side is well cared-for too, and as for affairs of the heart, there are two romances progressing side by side-those of Mary and Joe, and J. P. and Eliza- beth, whose tunafish popovers had earlier made J. P. forget all about his graham crackers and milk diet. The picture ends happily with a dou- ble wedding and J. P. making up to his employees for his neglect by tak- ing them on a cruise to Honolulu. Though the plot is not unusual, skillful directing and capable acting make The Devil and Miss Jones an amusing performance. 9 Daphne Roy, 42 That Night in Rio 1941's great glamour-musical, That Night in Rio, in which Alice Faye, Don Ameche, and Carmen Mi- randa are involved in some very re- freshing nonsense, is superbly pho- tographed in technicolor in the land where revelry rules. Recounting the adventures and misadventures of this joyous trio, the film provides exceed- ingly amusing entertainment. Appearing in a dual role, Don Ameche is seen as an American night club entertainer who impersonates a Brazilian aristocrat, Baron Duarte, so successfully that he is called upon to take the gentleman's place when a business crisis threatens the noble- man's fortune. During his imperson- Forty-tbree V5