6. What new ideas of war come to you from Sergeant Morlae’s account?
THE BOULEVARD OF ROGUES
MEREDITH NICHOLSON has won most of his popularity as a novelist. He is, however, an accomplished essayist, a poet of distinction, and a keen critic of current literary and political matters. More recently, he has become interested in the writing of short stories. His home is in Indianapolis, where he was privileged to enjoy for many years an intimate friendship with James Whitcomb Riley, whose character Mr. Nicholson has sympathetically portrayed in his novel, The Poet, and in an illuminating essay in The Atlantic Monthly for October, 1916.
Propaganda in such disguise needs no apology. Not only can we appreciate the cleverness of the trick as well as the earnestness of its author, but we relish what a very good thing a similar lesson would be for our own or for our neighboring cities.
At the same time, there is a worth-while character-study to be made of the Chairman of the Committee on Art, who presents a type almost as rare in fiction as it is in life.
Suggested Points for Study and Comment
1. The student will find it interesting to make a thorough study of Barton’s character—his cynicism, his practical good sense, and all his other prominent traits. A composition discussing all these could be made very interesting and enlightening.
2. Discuss the general political attitude of the average city councilman.
3. In an examination of the plot, what incident seems to you to mark the point of highest interest? Discuss fully.