An Hour with Poe
Author(s): Louise A. Wilson
Source: The English Journal, Vol. 13, No. 9 (Nov., 1924), pp. 673-674
Published by: National Council of Teachers of English
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/802736
Accessed: 28-05-2025 15:34 UTC
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ROUND TABLE 673
length, a certain complexity of style, and
write short sentences at the present time.
Now let the children examine the sentence
which they have saved from time to time.
this same treatment, let them write anothe
there is any difference. This is the acid t
fail in clearing up slipshod, over-loose, long
Indirectly there is a foundation laid for "
and cheap reading material. The consciou
upon the sentence, and the child soon passes
and accepts or rejects it as the style appeals
Merely to count words for several lesso
but not if it will clear up the sentence for th
language. BEN FOSTER SMITH
WEISER, IDAHO
AN HOUR WITH POE
I believe Poe would have enjoyed it. I believe he would ha
the locale. It was not on a midnight dreary, but during the fift
class. The shades were drawn, the leaded casement shutter
into the room. Light from the chandelier gloated o'er the
Longfellow resting just above the fireplace which occupies o
the classroom. The high oaken wainscoting, the beamed ce
chairs, the built-in bookshelves, and magazine stand would have
to Poe's philosophy of furniture. The charm of the room was he
by the plants in the window boxes, the few literary pictures on t
and the doors with stained glass panes.
We had been studying Poe. It was a delight to me as ins
to play the r61le of a guest of the class this afternoon and listen
gram the students had prepared as a surprise for me.
There was a play, in which the plots of three stories had bee
bined. One boy gave the results of ten interviews with men and
in as many vocations-naturally varied and showing the wide ran
preciative readers of Poe. Another showed numbers of pictures
and of people related to the writer. The effect was heighten
use of the stereoscope. Someone read portions of "The Bells," fo
with " Chimes of Normandy" and " Cupid's Garden" on the victr
records having orchestra bells).
A rare edition of the poet was kindly loaned by a local at
and the volumes were tenderly examined by the class.
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674 THE ENGLISH JOURNAL
Our city librarian, who has returned from a Europe
some remarks, showing that the memory of our American w
treasured by book-lovers across the Atlantic. As the
mantel burned, and each separate dying ember wrought it
the floor, the stately Lady Madeline entered. She sat a
the fire as "The Raven" was dramatized.
The bell rang, the class passed. I wanted to hear more. I had for-
gotten that our "flowers are merely flowers."
LOUISE A. WILSON
ENID HIGH SCHOOL
ENID, OKLAHOMA
"AND ETC."
These words, occurring in a Junior's English paper, cau
summon Jack Keefe to the rescue. He shines in this new r6
has proved to be a more successful promoter of "better Englis
"batter-pitcher" for the White Sox.
His letters to "Dear Al" have served a twofold purpose: f
pupils have been made to realize that the humor in these letter
merely in misused words, in incorrect spelling, and in ludicrous
tions; second, that their similar careless mistakes are not only
that must be corrected, but are actually funny, too, to those w
good English.
I copied one of Jack Keefe's letters on the board and asked t
write it correctly. They went to work at it with an amuse
and with a quickened understanding that made me realize
are more ways of knocking a home run than by orthodox
Junior class has scored one, thanks to Jack Keefe. We hop
more "knock-outs" in bad English in this "serious" than th
pitcher himself.
FANNY B. WALLACE
SODDY HIGH SCHOOL
SODDY, TENNESSEE
A REBEL SONG
The straight and ever narrow way,
Paved with a well-wrought lesson plan,
Points to a brilliant future day,
When methods win and aims succeed.
But oh! the joy to break our bonds
And ramble in some winding path,
Where eager youth at last responds
And shy hopes brave a softened light.
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