Oakfield High School - Acorn Yearbook (Oakfield, ME)

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LITERATURE WHY STUDY ENGLISH? EW realize that the study of English is rapidly growing more important in the education of our youth-important because the study of English is the mastery of our language as a science, as a history, as a joy, and, last, but not least, as a tool. The presentation of English as a science is grammar and analyzing. We form a sentence and then it is ruthlessly torn apart to learn what lies hidden behind the words, to learn of their origin, and then to put the entire thing together again, having been fascinated by its construction. To establish the scientific manner in which composition is created, however, one should possess restraint and the ability to construct. The good writer should be an artist, but he cannot climb to such heights if he does not study the fundamentals and basic factors of English. Writers such as Shakespeare and Keith make it possible for even the poor man to follow through and understand the thoughts of his ancestors. Notable works in prose and verse supply us with the knowledge of centuries ago. Through English we study these and make stronger our understanding of to- day's history as well as that of our ancestors. Poetry, essay, story, and drama, each having its own nutriment or correc- tion, provides one with enjoyment and relief. At a moment of despair one can seek refuge in the lovable works of his loved authors by whose charms he re- fines and sweetens. The study of English touches off the match, but to keep the flame in existence, one should continue with the wee task of extensive reading. Finally, we use English as a tool. Our language is the fundamental means of communicating with others. We use it to maintain what we command, to express ourselves, our thoughts, and our feelings, and to peculiarly arouse a close association between individuals. The culture derived from studying English cannot be obtained from any other high school subjectg therefore, let us all diligently study English. Mary Angeles, English IV. 43

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LITERATURE Essays WHAT I LOOK FOR WHEN I READ A BOOK HEN I indulge in my favorite pastime, reading, I try to derive some benefit. In reading any book, I try first to determine the author's purpose-is it to entertain, to show a character, to reveal the author's view point about life, to illustrate a theory, to exemplify a moral principle, to bring about a reform, to present a historical picture, or just what is it? I also try to detect any qual- ities in the author's style which would help me to identify him-is his plot and action true to life, could his characters possibly be real or are they merely fan- tastic individuals which result from an over-imaginative author, is there an attempt at atmosphere through description? As I read, I keep in mind the age which the story involves and note how people of that time looked at facts and interpreted life, I look for the political, social, and economic aspects of the period which may be reflected in the story, and the manner in which the people dealt with such problems of that nature. As it is important whether or not the author writes in a prejudiced manner concerning any conflicts in the story, I try to detect any of his traits which may be revealed through his char- acter. Finally, I look for friends, a new life, and beauty in literature-friends which are ever loyal, a life in which I may travel at will without trouble and expenseg and, the beauty which others have marveled at, which I may never have the opportunity to enjoy except through literature. Marian Mason, English IV. 14... THE BET CBY ANTON CHEKOVD 'The Bet' is a psychological story in that the interest is carried along not by action but by the reactions of men's minds to their situations. His greed for money sentenced the lawyer to fifteen years of solitary confinement, and led him to study and to make use of those fifteen years in gaining a wealth of knowledge. Yet, that study-the very thing by which he hoped to gain money-led him to scorn money and to despise the human race and its weak- nesses. After having been coniined fifteen years to obtain a sum of money, he found that he was above all that-all money had to offer. Thus he left a short while before his time was up and disappeared. The banker, also greedy, could have easily spared two millions when he made the bet. Through fifteen years of life, in which he had his friends and his freedom, he speculated in stocks and bonds and gradually lost his millions. Money meant more to him than life itself. He was willing to kill the lawyer with whom he had made the bet in order to keep his money. But after having read the lawyer's renunciation of humanity and its god-money, he could feel only contempt for himself. Such were the reactions of two men's minds to their situations-one of scorn for humanity, the other of contempt for himself. Edna Rhodes, English IV. 42

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LITERATURE RECALLED TO LIFE N a manner unique and supreme, Dickens, in The Tale of Two Cities, em- bellishes trivial facts to portray realistically the horror, bloodshed and grief existing during the French Revolution. One of his themes is Recalled To Life. Dickens acquaints one with the times by describing them in contrasting style-he says, It was the best of times, it was the Worst of times, it was the age of Wisdom, it wasthe age of foolishness,--. Then, England's disorderli- ness and injustice, along with burglaries and smuggling, are introduced. Erench conditions are far worse-weak rule, discontented people, countless scenes of innocents placed in tumbrils, fed to the merciless guillotine, and watched by stone-hearted spectators who enjoyed the process which left a figure minus a head! Having described the era generally, Dickens goes to Dover Road, over which three passengers were traveling. Since the horses seemed disturbed, the driver got out and. saw that a messenger had stopped to iind out if a Mr. Lorry were in the stage-coach, then he gave him a dispatch from Tellson's Bank. Lorry, enroute to Paris on business, told Jerry to reply, Recalled to Life. Jerry was so confused that he considered Lorry drunk and unconscious of the reply made, but Jerry didn't know that Lorry dreamed about freeing a forty- five-year-old man from his eighteenth year of imprisonment. The coach reached Dover, and Mr. Lorry went in the Royal George Hotel to the empty coffee-room, and pondered on how he could free that soul. When Lucie Manette came to him, he told her that he was going to free her father whom she thought dead. Dead? In a sense, for, an eighteen-year imprison- ment couldn't offer much for a full life. Then, they went to Defarge's wine- shop on a handy corner in Saint Antoine where wine was spilled on the streets, soaked up in rags, and squeezed into thirsty mouths. Defarge led them to a garret where Dr. Manette, making ladies' shoes, was kept. The venerable gentleman was so stunned by his daughter's appearance, that it was immaterial to him whether or not he was dug out -or shall we say, Recalled to Life? Rose Sapienza, English IV. 44