THE HOBARTIAN
The Value of Books to Civilization
Reading good books is an occupation of inestimable value to civilization. Literature paves the way to better thinking and valuable expression.
Poetry instigates an appreciation of beauty, as the poet chooses the most awe-inspiring characteristics from his subjects. In "To a Mouse", by Robert Burns, we are shown that even the smallest beast deserves sympathy. Milton's two poems, "L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso", reveal to us the best qualities of both mirth and melancholy. Poetry seems to make everything which is about us human.
Following poetry comes the drama. Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of plays, has written the best collection of drama in the history of literature. Such dramas as "Macbeth" teach us to be honest, as we see the results of evil doing. In social circles when lines from Shakespeare are quoted, we can discuss Shakespeare's philosophy without guessing, if we have read his plays.
Fiction, especially the novel, is very entertaining to read. Since the plot in so many novels is based on historical facts, we are able to obtain a clearer picture of many historical situations from the novel than from the history book. Charles Dickens' novel, "A Tale of Two Cities", gives us a vivid picture of the causes and the actual fighting of the French Revolution.
Although encyclopedias are not generally considered literature, they are practically essential in the modern home because of the value for reference. Almost anything which the average person wishes to know is defined in a good encyclopedia. Copies of famous paintings and many other items of interest are protrayed in these valuable books.
Biographies written about such men as Lincoln are beneficial, as they make us acquainted with the characteristics which made him a great man.
Through reading we are able to obtain a larger vocabulary because while reading we easily learn the meanings of many words which formerly puzzled us.
Let us all read more books to gain more knowledge and to increase our ability in verbal expression because "a man cannot speak but that he judges himself."
Marion Townsend
Our School
Time went so slowly! It seemd as though the first day of school would never come, and just to think that we would be starting in the first grade with other children the same age!
At last the great day came. It meant starting out in life and meeting other people. The days were then not long enough to put our minds all
Thirty-six
1933•36
The 1933 Almedian - South Kortright Central School Yearbooks - SKCS 1933 Almedian
