The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-12
rHE LITERARY LANTERN

 In moments of gloom when we de- scend to the misty mid regions of Weir. we sometimes wonder why we ma ke so much bother about eontempor- ,ry literature. We suspect that readers of rhe column also wonder. If justifica- tion there is. it comes with the realiza- tion that something of interest is actu- ally happening: and right now we be- lieye we sec signs that this ''something" interesting is taking shape. Exactly what it may all lead to we are not yet vet Dositive enough in our convictions to say. but this we do know the negro is receiving fresh and serious consider otion. In fhe past year there have been n half dozen significant volumes; this nresent month there have been two. We know of two more which will soon see publication. +.
 The two most recent volumes treat the negro from opposite angles. Julia Peterkin'S Green Thursday" (knOpf) is, in point of view at least, the sort of things which has been done OH va rious occasions, though, we believe. seldom so delightfully."- or successfully. Mrs. Peterkin sees the old time negro from the point of view of the white interested in character and folk-legendrH. Her people are real, vivid, natural. She has both sense of values and an understanding of primitive emotions. A finer thing than the prayer of Andrew we have not seen for many day. The writer knows the negro of the planta- ton and of the rural communities as few writers of the present know them. But with the race question" her artistry is not at all concerned. ,
 The second book, also just published by KnOpf, is Walter +. Whites ''The Fire in the Flint" This is a novel written by nergO of Georgia about q mythical Central City" and shows the struggle he, believes the educated negro is confronted with when he tries to lift his own people to higher level. It is bitter, ironically bitter, scathingly bit ter; it is as prOjudiced in it's point of view us anything ever written on the opposite side of the race question could ever be. But as an antidOte it is dis tinctly worth while. It presents a pro- lem dramatically and in effective style, a problem which sooner or later, will be seized thorns and all, and dealt with after a new manner. At least so we are inclined to think if recent litera- ture by the younger writers, both white and black, is any criterian.
 Bernard Shaw, we see by Archibald Hendersons dialogue with him ("Ulys. ses and Einsten' Forum refuses to work about contempous literature. He avOws frankly that he does not read modern novels and scorn fully denies any knowledge of Glas worthy of Hergesheimer, Sherwood Anderson, Villa Gather, ZOna Gale, ol Sturart Sherman, O. Henry and H. L Mencken were different, however. "l Iswallowed six volumes of o. Henry's stories at a gulp. l have no criticism to make; they are hOrs concOurs." H l.. M he called An amusing dog, anC valuable critic because he thinks il more important to write as he feel. than to be liked as a good-heartet gentlemanly creature" -.. -r
 This Forum article constitutes thu third of series of papers on Shaw that Dr. Henderson has been publishing The dialogue form has we think, cer tain disadvantages though Dr. Tender son, who in addition to being a bio grapher of Shaw has also written ex tensively on relatively, managed t twist it, on one occasion at least. |, his own advantage.
 When ready to introduce the Fin stein phase of his subject, Dr. Tender son does it with this delft tribute [, himself Ever since you (Shaw) p2it me the compliment of describing m! 'Relativity; A Romance of Science as the first genuinely successful at tempt to elucidate relativity." Isn'i that neatly done:
 Anne Bozeman Lyon has written LII an enthusiastic and international letter