Ipswich High School - Tiger Yearbook (Ipswich, MA)

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LITERARY “THE NIGGER OF THE NARCISSUS (By Joseph Conrad) Edward Michon ’40 T HE magic key to an exciting extra- ordinary adventure is Joseph Con- rad’s book, “The Nigger of the Nar- cissus. From that far away night in Bombay when the motley crew of the sailing ship “Narcissus assembled on deck the author weaves a fascinating tale that holds the reader spellbound. For four long months the everyday life aboard the “Narcissus is one of unforseen hardships and peril. The sea so vast and merciless overshadows the tiny speck of a wandering ship. The wind, one time a friend and the next an enemy; the sky, the stars, the storms, and sudden calms are a vivid and never-to-be-forgotten experience. Jim Waite, the self-styled colored gentleman, is a mysterious and tragic figure. Like a lonely, frightened child he shams a courage he does not feel. The ugly, hateful Donkin; Singleton, a bearded patriarch; the kind hearted Bel- fast; bemused Wamibo; Captain Allis- town, a great and knowing seaman, — these are the kind of people one can never forget. “The Nigger of the Narcissus from beginning to end is a story so real, so superbly written, that upon turning the final page my eyes could not accus ' om themselves to the ordinary room in which I sat. I could still feel the wind on my face, hear Jim Waite’s fine baritone voice, and see the “Narcissus moving gracefully over a shimmering expanse of blue seas. In my opinion, for several hours of fine enjoyment, one should read Conrad’s “Nigger of the Narcissus. ON SEEING THE BEACH IN MOONLIGHT By Edward Michon Quiet are the shores, save for the bloom- ing. Of the surf. Now calm moonlight bathes The dunes in celestial whitene.s; a dis- tant buoy Sounds a dirge-like knell. Stars are dimmed, the moon in her full Outshines them, and forms a glistening path For the sea-nymphs swimming towards shore. Alone I wander, and meditate on what Goes on on foreign shores this night. Troops may be landing, or guns grumb- ling On foreign shores. 17

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EDITORIAL F OUR years ago w: were wandering freshmen gazing at the majestic splendor of the seniors in amazement. Now we too are seniors; yet somehow the glory .eems not so bright as we had imagined it to be. The heigh ' s, once having been scaled, seem but mere foot- hills. Ahead of us loom bigger and broader horizons. Pausing before the commencement of a new life, we are beset with the strange realization that we have grown up. School days are behind — the world lies before, the world and a new life. Waxing reminiscent, we think of our high school days. Our alma mater is the new Ipswich High School; we can- not remember the first four months of our freshman year at old Manning. The numerous advantages which we enjoyed in cur new quarters cannot be over-em- phasized and we hope they have been properly appreciated. We shall for- ever remember the friendships we have made during these days and hope that they only grow stronger in the years following graduation. But now we are on the brink of a new life. As we look about us, we :ee th: whole world at war. You ' h is being sacrificed at the altars of freedom and liberty. Savagery, hate, and animal fury have been unleashed. Indescrib- able agony and destruction are going on in all parts of the world. The prob- lem of unemployment remains. Indeed, the universe seems to be riding on a black tempest the outcome of which no one can foretell. Such therefore is the setting of the world stage upon which we are to act our life roles. But w,e must have courage as we take the step in ' o the unknown abyss of the future. Young and untried, but with a gallant cry of We are here , we enter the arena of life. There is work to be done. 16

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WALKING FOR PLEASURE (a monologue) Ruth Wilson ’42 P UT on your low-heeled shoe; , Alison; we are going for a walk. I know you’d rather bicycle somewhere, but we’re going for a walk to prove that ambulation is not entirely over- shadowed by the bicycle fad. Do you remember that I told you once, while we were biking, that the only way to get acquainted with roads was on a bicycle, because an auto travels so quickly? I take that statement back. Now I know that one can’t really know a place until he has traversed it by foot. Where shall we go? Anywhere. The back road to Hamilton, the Beach Road, the footpath by the swamp; we don’t have to drive to a mountain trail bordered with hot-dog stands to enjoy a walk. I can take you where the forget-me-nots bloom in a secluded spot by an old mill. Walking is more than a pastime, Alison. There are joy and health to be gained from putting one foot before the other in a rhythmic way until you do not even feel the effort of moving at all; there is strength to be found in stretching your body up toward the clouds, in breathing aid that is enliven- ing in its purity. Leave your favorite copy of “Oliver Twist’’ and try a new occupation that was a favorite of Dickens himself. What if it rains? You say there are already dark clouds in the sky? Then you will experience the fulfillment of a deep inexpressible longing, for there is infinite satisfaction in feeling the soft splashes of water against your face while you keep time with your feet to the beats of the rain. When you come to love walking as I do, I will take you wi h me during every season of the year. The same walks appear very different beneath snow, wind, and sun. We’ll even go by night to feel the cold intens- ity of the stars in winter and the misty velvet of a summer evening that is not at all terrifying but only deep and mys- terious. You say that you cannot leave your studying, that you must stay to solve a difficult problem in Algebra? Bring the problem along, in your mind, Alison. It is so much easier to think when your body is occupied. What if we are late for my engage- ment tonight? We won’t be late; we will consult our watches now and then. If we become pressed for time, we can sing a lively tune, such as “The Toreador Song’’ from “Carmen’’ and march home to it. Keeping a reg- ular pace is just as necessary for speed in walking as in typing. And if the pain in your side returns? Then we will slow down for a while. When you have walked on many hikes, the pain will have disappeared forever. Put on your low-heeled shoes, Alison. We are going for a walk. 18