It is good to ride at ease on the broad highway, with every turning marked and the rules all kept. But it is not the whole of life. The savor of lonely dawns, the call of an unknown voice, the need to establish new frontiers of spirit and action beyond any man has yet set, these are also part of life. Do not forego them. You are young and the world is before you. Be among those who perceive all its variety, its potentialities, who can see good in the new and unknown, and find joy in hazard and strength in effort. Do not be afraid of strange manners and customs, nor think a thing is wrong because it is different.

Throw wide the great gates of adventure in your soul, young America!

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

  1. Point out effects that have been gained by the use of figures of speech.
  2. What is the relation of the first three paragraphs to the remainder of the essay?
  3. Point out the parts of The Spirit of Adventure that depart from the strict form of the essay.
  4. Indicate what may be omitted in order to make The Spirit of Adventure truly an essay.
  5. How many historical allusions are made in the essay?
  6. Explain the most important historical allusions.
  7. What does the writer mean by “the spirit of adventure”?
  8. 8. What does she say is the importance of such a spirit?
  9. How can an ordinary person carry out the writer's wishes?
  10. How does the style of the essay strengthen the presentation of thought?

SUBJECTS FOR WRITTEN IMITATION

1. Love of Truth11. The Snow
2. The Spirit of Fair Play12. Falling Leaves
3. The Sense of Honor13. The Ocean
4. Stick-to-it-iveness14. The Storm
5. Faithfulness15. Moonlight
6. School Spirit16. The Voice of Thunder
7. Loyalty17. Flowers
8. The Scientific Spirit18. The Friendly Trees
9. Work19. Country Brooks
10. The Spirit of Helpfulness20. Gentle Rain

DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING

If you wish to write two or three paragraphs of poetic prose in imitation of the first three paragraphs of The Spirit of Adventure choose one of the topics in the second column. Write, first of all, a sentence that will summarize your principal thought, a sentence that will correspond with the sentence that forms the third paragraph of Miss Hawthorne's essay. Then lead up to this sentence by writing a series of sentences full of fancy. Use figures of speech freely. Arrange your words, phrases or clauses so that you will produce both striking effects and also rhythm.

If you wish to write in imitation of the entire essay choose one of the topics in the first column. Begin your work by writing a series of poetic paragraphs that will present the spirit of your essay. Continue to write in a somewhat poetic style, but make many definite allusions to history, literature or the facts of life.

Throughout your work express your own personality as much as you can. End your essay by making some personal appeal but do not make your work too didactic.