SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

  1. What advantage does the essayist gain by using characters to express his own thoughts?
  2. What made the philosopher's holiday so notable?
  3. What had been his daily life?
  4. Comment on the various thoughts and fancies that came to the philosopher on his holiday.
  5. What is meant by the expression, “An Agonized Manhood”?
  6. What joys does the philosopher find?
  7. Show how his thoughts come back to the idea of work.
  8. In what did his lack of “sanity” consist?
  9. Does the expression, “I suppose I shall be sane to-morrow,” mean that he will wish to work, or wish to have a holiday, or wish for something else?
  10. What was the toy that he had almost forgotten how to play with?
  11. What is the author's purpose?
  12. What evils in modern life does the essay criticize?

SUBJECTS FOR WRITTEN IMITATION

1. School Athletics11. Selfishness
2. Home Study12. School Spirit
3. Exercise13. Good Manners
4. Reading14. Playing Jokes
5. Writing Letters15. Carefulness
6. Aiding Others16. Honesty in School Work
7. Politeness17. Thoughtfulness
8. Using Reference Books18. Practising Music Lessons
9. Going to Bed Early19. Looking Out for Number One
10. Obedience20. “Bluffing”

DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING

When you have selected a subject that interests you, write out, in a single sentence, your one most important thought on that subject. Then plan to write an essay that will embody that thought.

If you are to imitate Mr. Towne's method you will think of a typical character who will express your own thought. As soon as you have introduced your character—notice how quickly Mr. Towne introduced the “young-old philosopher”—lead him to relate an experience that made him think about the subject. Write his meditations in such a way that they will show all view-points. Let the end of your essay indicate, rather than state, the view-point that you wish to emphasize.

Mr. Towne gives his essay many elements of originality and much beauty of thought and expression. Imitate his style as well as you can.

FOOTNOTES:

[55] Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have laid his cloak in the mud so that Queen Elizabeth might pass without soiling her garments.