The New York herald., 1921-06-26
Modern philosophy ofmarriage

HALE LOAVES. BY Margaret Culkin
Banning. George H. Doran Company.
novel dealing with marriage and
sociological problems without hys-
terics. without eXaggeratioH, and, espe-
cially without the leer, the salacious
undercurrent that soils so much of the
fiction of the day Mrs Banning also
writes with fun maturity of thought
and from an adequate knowledge and
observation of fact There is nothing
of the modern Maiden Aunt attitude
In her work. The result of her study
is an appraisal of certain modern
tendencies in American life, as ex-
emplified in prosperous middle West
ern city, that deserves serious con-
sideration. Moreover, regarded simply
as a story the book is successful and
quite out of the ordinary. 1t is well
constructed and the texture Of its style
Is good.
The problem stated concerns the ap-
parent decay at least in certain strata
of society. of the finer ideals of do
mestic life. of marriage as something
more than an amusement, even some
thing more than an institution for the
production and rearing Of children. Is
the "iazz spirit" cheapening and de-
basng education, society. even re-
ligion? The answer of the book is
somewhat indeterminate at best, and
Is scarcely optimistic, the general con-
81, Iat fe, InaI
of wrongness and that perhaps only
the half loaf" remains available,
though Il is, of course, better than no
bread
Diagnosing the situation as whole.
including politics and business as well
as individual social relations. Matthew
Allenby, one of the four chief persons
in the story. remarks that the country
Is absolutely untitled nervously to
stand any strain or excitement So
long as things go well with us we are
full Of enthusiasm. but the suggestion
OF trouble upsets everything-frig
every one. We are unconsciously pro-
ceeding on the basis that there is no
need of including trouble in our ma
tional philosophy. Life has been
made too easy for us as a nation-for
us as individuals. We are the
strongest nation in the world and in
imminent danger OF a lazy and fun
loving philosophy making us the most
corrupt. And when Dick Harrison,
the mine owner and husband Of the
serious minded heroine. Cecily, goes to
investigate conditions at his mines he
finds that nearly every man he met
had some idea that changes were
needed, in mind, State or nation" but
also he found mo common basis for
all the comments-no standard which
they all would follow"
More narrowly. the theme of the
story is the contrasting ideals of mar
riage held by Ceciy. who is convent
bred. noble in ideals but intolerant. and
rather lacking in humor and a sense OF
proportion. of the relative value Of
things. and by "Fliss." who is volatile
intelligent by no means vicious, but in
many ways tho incarnation OF the
flippant "jazz spirit" making almost a
religion of "havinC fun" or course
Matthew. who is fundamentally sedate
and verging on middle age. marries
the effervescent "F'liss" and Dick, who
is younger and humanity in need Of
relaxation" magries the sombrc Cecily.
Matthew and his light-minded wife
manage to get on very well, but Cecily
and Dick come to a break over the in
compatibility of their ideals. although
really deeply in love and the parents
of three children. Eventually the break
is healed, and Cecily realizes the need
Of some compromise. the acceptance
of her half loaf" and one is left with
the impression that each pair is after
all going to make the best Of an un-
satisfactory situation. There is too