The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-13
COLLEGES HURT NovELIsTs.
University Professors Express Views
Concerning Fiction Writing.

Does the graduate student OF English receive
benefit or injury if he expects 10 make literature
his profession? VIII the long-predicted great
American novel; come out Of Chicago? What OF
Chicago as the possible scene of great fiction?
These questions surprisingly answered by
the Chicago University professors
II always tell student in my classes VINO
hopes 10 make literature or do journalism to %
and write for advanced English study does not
make writer. Let him live among the common
people, where tine passions are elementary, wht=o
he can study life, not others idea OF life loo
much higher study OF literature stunts the creative
faculties and UyeIS.imulates the critical until con-
fdence is lost. The true Chicago novel has vet
to be written. The Characteristic Chicago novel
will deal with "a Sale Street and its great hnan-
cal game II great American novel be possible
the scene may yell be laid in this Western coun-
try. Western ideals American. not local
President Nathaniel Butler. President of Colby
College. at present lecturing on English at Chi
cago University, made one exception to the state
ment that higher study in English untitled the
writer Of literature. The average writer OF mod
cTn fiction is man who could easily have been
ruined by too much study OF English. But take
the genius the author, say. Of the great American
novel; no general statements tit such man.
Nothing can change his course. He will write;
he must. He us that to say which must be sald
Come he from the slums the college halls, 10
generaties fit him. Yet for the average man,
he he practical man. no teacher, too much Eng
lish is dangerous thing. We have had the
Boston novel, the New England. Kentucky, Viz
ginia Louisiana variety, and many others. Cnl-
cago and the West American. Here must
be the scene Of the great American noyel. That
novel should be called the Point OF View We
are solving hcre in Chicago the worlds greatest
problem of a truer adjustment to modern con-
dtions Our leisure class, business men, crinii
rails. Summers. all have different point OF view.
There is the subject. Find the man.
Prof Moulton said must be rule unto
himself. His training in English must come
In answer to his desires; those satisfied, he must
write 10 learn to write. There is much talk
fna fpaVf igfie sid nj a ~
in the world can be so grandly beautiful as CHI
ego the lake. Knowing whereof | speak.
Claim Chicago is the equal Of any city IN MUSIC
and education. | have waited long time Tor
the Chicago novel that deals with artistic :'hica
GO Chicago is too cosmopolitan 10 be hit of
by jaundieied description Of an ugly street"
Prof Oscar l. Triggs did not believe the great
fiction writers would be trained in the uhivCrsl
ties THE student OF literature contracts what
may well be termed a disease, a hyperCriticll de-
velopmtnt which may well be termed literary
hyperchondria. TC use a palmer expression, he
gets hide bound His ideals all from books.
The fiction writer must know the people. His
sympathies must cling TO passionate, misguided,
sorrowing humanity. No novel has given the
true essence OF Chicago life"
Albion W. Small, professor Of sociology, agreed
with the English specialists "The real Chica-
go novel must not be The smart society novel"
he said. THAT is theme as old as literature.
The leisure class has time to play with sin in a
cultured way. Trouble comes. The plot VIII Is
about and we hear the laments OF these dna
MORALS. Let the embryo literary man live VITA
the workers and write Of the workers"
Prof Charles Zeuhlin said that the higher wos4
OF the university for ;hc teacher not the
writer. Speaking Of Chicago scene Of pos
sible great fiction he emphasized these features
the foreign elements. the Stun. aud tho moneycd
classes have almost nothing in common, Chicago
is so cosmopolitan that the great future novelist.
If true TO the city must be Dickens. must create
a new world in fiction did Balzac Anaenc
students who live within college influences may
grow hysterical over as ugly street Chicago
Is amused. g"