THE GOLD BRICK
This story, first published in the American Magazine, was reprinted in a volume called The Gold Brick, published in 1910. The quotation "chip at crusts like Hindus" is from Robert Browning's poem "Youth and Art." The reference to "Old Walt" at the end of the story is to Walt Whitman, one of the great poets of democracy.
1. To make a story interesting, there must be a conflict. In this the conflict is double: the outer conflict, between the two political factions, and the inner conflict, in the soul of the artist. Note how skilfully this inner struggle is introduced: at the moment when Kittrell is first rejoicing over his new position, he feels a pang at leaving the Post, and what it stood for. This feeling is deepened by his wife's tacit disapproval; it grows stronger as the campaign progresses, until the climax is reached in the scene where he resigns his position.
2. If you knew nothing about the author, what could you infer from this story about his political ideals? Did he believe in democracy? Did he have faith in the good sense of the common people? Did he think it was worth while to make sacrifices for them? What is your evidence for this?
3. How far is this story true to life, as you know it? Do any newspapers in your city correspond to the Post? To the Telegraph? Can you recall a campaign in which the contest was between two such groups as are described here?
4. Does Whitlock have the art of making his characters real? Is this true of the minor characters? The girl in the flower shop, for instance, who appears but for a moment,—is she individualized? How?
5. Is there a lesson in this story? State it in your own words.
6. What experiences in Whitlock's life gave him the background for this story?
7. What new words did you gain from this? Define meritricious; prognathic; banal; vulpine; camaraderie; vilification; ennui; quixotic; naïve; pharisaism. What can you say of Whitlock's vocabulary?
8. Other good stories dealing with politics are found in Stratagems and Spoils, by William Allen White.
HIS MOTHER'S SON
1. Note the quick beginning of the story; no introduction, action from the start. Why is this suitable to this story?
2. Why is slang used so frequently?
3. Point out examples of humor in the story.
4. In your writing, do you ever have trouble in finding just the right word? Note on page 123 how Edna Ferber tries one expression after another, and how on page 122 she finally coins a word—"unadjectivable." What does the word mean?
5. Do you have a clear picture of Emma McChesney? Of Ed Meyers? Note that the description of Meyers in the office is not given all at once, but a touch here and then. Point out all these bits of description of this person, and note how complete the portrait is.
6. What have you learned in this story about the life of a traveling salesman?
7. What qualities must a good salesman possess?
8. Was Emma McChesney a lady? Was Ed Meyers a gentleman? Why do you think so?
9. This story is taken from the book called Roast Beef, Medium. Other good books of short stories by this author are Personality Plus, and Cheerful—by Request.
BITTER-SWEET
1. Note the introduction, a characteristic of all of Fannie Hurst's stories. What purpose does it serve here? What trait of Gertie's is brought out? Is this important to the story?
2. From the paragraph on page 139 beginning "It was into the trickle of the last——" select examples that show the author's skill in the use of words. What other instances of this do you note in the story?
3. Read the sketch of the author. What episode in her life gave her material for parts of this story?
4. Notice how skillfully the conversation is handled. The opening situation developes itself entirely through dialogue, yet in a perfectly natural way. It is almost like a play rather than a story. If it were dramatized, how many scenes would it make?
5. What does the title mean? Does the author give us the key to its meaning?
6. What do you think of Gertie as you read the first part of the conversation in the restaurant? Does your opinion of her change at the end of the story? Has her character changed?
7. Is the ending of the story artistic? Why mention the time-clock? What had Gertie said about it?
8. State in three or four words the central idea of the story. Is it true to life?
9. What is the meaning of these words: atavism; penumbra; semaphore; astigmatic; insouciance; mise-en-scene; kinetic?
10. Other books of stories dealing with life in New York City are The Four Million, and The Voice of the City, by O. Henry; Van Bibber and Others, by Richard Harding Davis; Every Soul Hath Its Song, by Fannie Hurst; Doctor Rast, by James Oppenheim.
THE RIVERMAN
1. In how many scenes is this story told? What is the connection between them?
2. Is there anything in the first description of Dicky Darrell that gives you a slight prejudice against him?
3. Why was the sympathy of the crowd with Jimmy Powers in the birling match?
4. Comment on Jimmy's remark at the end of the story. Did he mean it, or is he just trying to turn away the praise?
5. What are the characteristics of a lumberman, as seen in Jimmy Powers?
6. Read the sketch of Stewart Edward White, and decide which one of his books you would like to read.