Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-09
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
/. C.. NJ.

l. C.. M.
WEAVING THE SHORT STORY.
Douglas Bement. New York: Rich
ard r. Smith, Inc.
Building the story is art.
Reading the story is art also.
That is, both are this, provided each
steps on along the lawful highway laid
out for every form of art to pursue.
The first of the two arrives by way
of the actually of construction itself.
Inc second, through an immediate vi
carious partaking of the experiences of
the leader.
Throughout the study there appear
frequently, in place and circumstances
calculated to stress their Importance,
two outstanding points. These consti-
tute, obviously, articles of basic belief
On the part of this author. Here they
are. Not every one can learn to write
the story in any measurable degree Of
promise either to himself or to the
public. But every intelligent and de-
termined student can learn to read
fiction III an appreciation so clear as to
make that reading a real collaboration
WIN the writer, as to provide, besides,
measure OF critical appraisal that is
invaluable on its own account. Worth
almost any book, these two points.
Prof. Bement is a teacher of univer-
sity rank. English, constructively crea-
tive, IS his main field. You may be
sure, therefore, that these two vital
conclusions are in no sense any part
OF such ponttfical announcements as
institutions of learning now and then
broadcast into the aerial spaces rounda-
oout. Rather have these been wreSted
from agonleS of striving on his part.
ANY teacher OF experience sees the pic
ture-making the fairy tale come true
dlsengagtng competently active
rabbits from sober silk hats de-
1verlng Pelion of filters of microscopic
mice and, growing plain and home
spun, fabrlcatlng silk purses out of the
saggng ears OF the barnyard SOW. 1t
simply cannot be done. Many useful
things can be done with the material.
But only half of once in a lifetime
can true fiction writer be made to
order. How one glories in the courage
OF this school man for making the
frank avowal. In an age, too, when
self-expreSSion is the great motive. in
deed the great mania. When genius
begins to look little like a pestilence
and terror.
Let us be honest and agree that all
cannot De taught to write even medi-
ocre fiction. A few may gather modest
returns, lucky at that. Everybody, how
ever, under this tuition will gain the
clear advantage of trying. Work is the
main thing after all. And, without ex-
ception, every member of the many
classes under Mr.. Bement, and the
readers OF this book, besides, will learn
how to read the story with intelligence
and added pleasure.
Almost nobody knows how to read.
Try this out for yourself. Did you like
that story?" No" why not?" I'M
mediately an anguish, like a stomach
ache, screws the face into wrinkles of
reason(3. 1T didn't have enough &C
ton" or 1t was so extensively open, i'm
moral I call it," or 1T ended so ter
whatever to do with the story in Ques-
ton. No glimmering that any definite
purpose whatever started the thing on
its way. No notion that for its fashion,
ing certain material had to be assembled
and gone over to the end that some was
thrown away as unsuitable for the par
ticular job in hand, though quite lovely
in itself as sheer stuff. No faint idea
that the whole took order like this, or
that, in mounting action of effect its
gathering momentum Of color and stress
and pauses of midair suspense, a part,
an essential part, of the complete crea-
ton.
II like IT," IT don't like it." One
or the other Of these in the great ma
jority of cases proves to be the last
word of general fiction appraisal. Oh,
no, we do not know how to read. True,
but distaSteful. True, nevertheless.
X x X
The cleverness of this book depends
upon its spread to the two classes, to
The aspiring writer's and to general read
ers. And this, quite apart from the au-
tho-'s technical and professional compe-
tency of production. And to its clear
competency is added more than a little
If artfulneSs in its mood, in its approach
to students and outsiders.
For here, too, is story impressed to
the business of teaching the story. Mr..
Bement sets up loom. hand loom, I
take it, such as my grandmother used to
work down in the courthouse, weaving
carpets for the parlor and blankets for
the beds. Warp and wool. Straight,
parallel. close-laid threads, fastened at
both ends, taut and ready. That the
warp the foundation. Indeed, that the
writer himself The shuttled wool, ply
ing between the two crossed layers of
warp, in a colored filling which with
a push of the treadle packed itself close
within the groundwork till, finally,
fabric of definite usefulness was pro-
duced
The fabric may be cloth-homespun
fine tapestry, or whatnot. 1t may be
iteraturs-plain story. high adventure.
1t is all the same. Warp and wool. In
the latter case, it is the writer himself
for the one For the other it IS some
bit of life that meets his purpose. De-
signs and colorS in orderly array are
interviewer along the way with the
plant wool threads till finally there
is in hand fabric of beauty, or use
fulness, or of both working together
in a reflection of some one or other of
the multitudinouS facets of life that
serve the wide imaginative capacity of
the creative artist.
Here, since this is, after all, book,
chapters enSue to round the story OF the
loom that weaveS short fiction. In
their treatment these are, in every
case, simple, straight, illuminating. in
tereSting. They cover plain discussions
of plot, action, character, background
and controlling purpose. Here is the
whole whatnot of literary invention
applied to the short story, all set out
in a gusto of personal enthusiasm that
might, quite reasonably, have become
bit dim through the repetitious char
acter of a teachers professional activi-
ties. No such effect here. Rather, a
newness of approach, freshness Of
discussion and direction that SAVIOR not
at all of the traditional dizziness of the
classroom.
The reputation Of the text book, as
such, is, you know, not of the best No
doubt great numbers would agree that,
looking for something" to read" not
once in blue moon would they think,
even. Of reaching toward one of this
particular tribe in hope of satisfying
the need at hand. But, take it from
me, try this book. Try it seriously. If
you are in earnest, you will find, in no
long time, that you yourself in reading
fiction do begin really to show signs of
inte1linenca In, that enoaQennenf an