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University Daily Kansan
Friday, March 26, 1965
Browning's Poems Draw Crowd
In the relaxed atmosphere characteristic of the SUA Poetry Hour, Dennis Quinn, associate professor of English, read selected works of Robert Browning to faculty and students.
The group, estimated at 150, overflowed the Music Room of the Kansas Union as they clustered around Quinn. The few who arrived early took the existing chairs while others lined the walls. Many sat at cross-legged attention on the floor.
"I chose to read Browning because he is a great representer of virtues and vices," Quinn said. He explained that today these virtues and vices are less admired and hated than in Browning's time. He added that Browning had strong feelings, convictions, and beliefs, and that, "Whatever you may say about Browning, you cannot charge him with timidity, weakness, triviality, whining self-pity, or faint-heartedness."
QUINN speculated that these are our vices. "We tend to admire weaklings and losers," he said.
Quinn's first selection was "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." "This narrative poem shows Browning's power to convey the happenings of events," he said. Citing "How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix" as a better-known example, Quinn added that Browning's love of high spirits and hatred for niggardiness becomes readily apparent.
"THE PIED PIPER" the familiar tale of the colorful wanderer who rids the town of Hamelin in rats only to be doublecrossed by the town's elders over his just payment for services rendered. He spirits away the children in retaliation and is never seen again.
Quinn also called Browning a great love poet—the greatest since Donne who came 200 years earlier. He used as an example "Porphyria's Lover," a monologue of a man who
"Another cause for the failure of love is man's refusal to act on his opportunities." Quinn explained that for Browning, there was no second chance. To show this facet, Quinn read "Youth and Art," the story of a woman who reminisces about such a lost chance.
Quinn said that in this poem,
"Browning presents the insane but
common error of those who would
attempt to hold on to love to render
it static--a state rather than an act."
strangles his love to rid her from "pride and vainer ties."
pieces, are examples of Browning's happier love poetry, he said. "Even here, however, it is acknowledged that the breathless joys of meeting and union must ultimately end with the pain of parting," Quinn explained.
"IN BROWNING," he said, "love is against great odds and frequently is unsuccessful because of man's condition and his refusal to accept his finite condition."
HE OFFERED "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" as an example that the hope and courage Browning admired was that which arose in the face of adversity at its worst. "The story, one concerning a young candidate for knighthood who reaches his goal (the Dark Tower) only after many hideous adventures, clearly shows Browning's talent for the grotesque and the ugly," he added.
Quinn rounded out the hour with "Epilogue to Asolando" a short piece considered appropriate to be Browning's own epitaph.
KU Invites Top Students To Summer Honor Study
"Meeting at Night" and "Parting at Morning," two much shorter
Bright, prospective freshmen are being invited to attend KU's Summer Honors Institute, according to Robert P. Cobb, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
"We expect from 30 to 35 prospects to attend the session." Dean Cobb said. The institute will be in session from June 10 to August 7.
"The program is open to students who are eligible for the College Honors program. Summerfield and Watkins finalists and National Merit semifinalists automatically qualify," Cobb said. Other interested students should ask their counselors to forward test data and a letter of recommendation.
Applications are due April 15.
The program was established about five years ago. Cobb said applicants would be selected sometime between the deadline date and May 1.
COBB EMPHASIZED that the program is open to all qualified students, regardless of their fall plans. "However, we have found that most of
Program participants will take honors courses in English, philosophy, and biology or political science—a full schedule of eight semester hours' credit.
them usually do plan to continue at KU," he added.
IN ADDITION, weekly dinner-discussion groups will be held with selected members of the faculty. The full range of social, musical and theatrical events during the summer session will also be included in the program.
Cobb said a limited number of partial scholarships will be available, with preference for students who have received scholarship awards at KU for 1965-66.
Lindley is Geology Home
Lindley Hall, home of rock collectors, salt experts and glacier watchers, is as unique as its geologist occupants.
By Irvana Keagy
Lindley also belongs to the astronomy, the chemical and petroleum engineering, the geography and the meteorology departments.
The basement, a maze of crates,
huge, discolored bottles, and instruments
and tools of every design,
reflects an orderliness all its own.
One member of the basement crew
BUT THE building's interior makes it even more unusual.
is Dr. Louis F. Dellwig. His office is camoufaged among the crates and tools, his paper-stacked desk cramped by huge shelves and cabinets of mineralogy and salt books. Maps hang from every inch of available wall space.
On the first floor are found several offices and labs. One belongs to Norman Plummer, who has done most of his work in ceramics. His office is orderly with respect to his work, yet his desk and window sill are display cases for colorful bricks, ceramic ashtrays, and rocks.
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- Unshrunk Levi's
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- Stretch Levi's in 5 Colors
- Slim-Fit Levi's in 7 Colors
"Come In and Try Some On"
LAWRENCE SURPLUS
740 Mass.
VI 3-3933
UNIVERSITY EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE SERIES
presents
JOHN DOS PASSOS'
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MARCH 25,26,27
MARCH 30,31,APRIL 1,2,3
Tickets: $1.50 — .75 with KU ID
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