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Published by the General Extemion Division, University of Minnesota EDUCATION A UFELONG PROCESS VoL. XI SEPTEMBER, 1936 No. I The Development of Personality NE of the prime aims of the educational By Richard R. Price ture and in human society. There is no per­ . process is the development and enrich­ manent good to be gotten out of unbridled en­ Director of University E:rtension, University of O ment of human personality. ergy. The great things of earth are accom­ Mim1esota What is personality? To define it simply, it plished by a balance of forces,-forces of ex­ .. pulsion and eruption and forces of restraint . is the sum total of the human attributes or men­ craves. It may be consciously cultivated. The distant planets in their lonely orbits illus­ tal and spiritual factors which affect or influ­ \Vhat are the elements or human attributes to trate this. There is centrifugal force that ence other men. Why is personality important? be cultivated by the man who would build up tends to hurl them blazing out through the in­ Because all success in life, all achievement, all a desirable personality? finite reaches of boundless space and there is accomplishment is in its essence nothing more I. The first and most pre-eminent quality or centripetal force that tends to draw them in to nor less than influencing other men. No man characteristic of great and impressive person­ can succeed alone. No man can be a success ality is enthusiasm. This word has a very in­ the center. The resultant of these two forces on a desert island. No man can be a success teresting derivation. Its primary meaning is is a stable equilibrium that keeps them swing­ as a hermit or recluse. A man succeeds in pro­ "possessed or inspired by a god." When in an­ ing regularly and smoothly in their appointed portion as he has ability to persuade or influ­ cient days a man was seen to be so possessed orbits. So in human society, freedom is lib­ ence or bend other men to do his will. This by a great idea that he was, as it were, car­ erty under the restraint of law. Without this is done through the compelling or persuading or ried away by it; carried out of himself; sub­ restraint, liberty becomes license and freedom alluring influence of personality. Personality limated,-then men looked at him with awe and becomes anarchy. So in the strong and attrac­ often succeeds where violence fails. said "a god has entered into him." tive personality, the fires and ardors of enthu­ Some men have negative or weak or color­ siasm are tempered and kept within due bounds less personality. They are like wax which Jn its modern sense, enthusiasm is a species by calm judgment and good sense ; and this readily receives impressions and as readily loses equilibrium we call poise. of inspiration by which a man is seized, car­ them when the next impression is made. Other III. A third attribute which the world ac­ ried out of himself and devoted to some cause men have a strong or v.igorous or compelling knowledges with respect as a marked charac­ or project. Therefore, a man of personality personality. So we may have refined or must be capable of throwing himself with ardor teristic of great or noble personality is stamina. charming or rugged or austere or repellent and zeal into a cause without too much cold­ The world loves a sticker and despises a quit­ personality. In the same way a personality if blooded calculation. A man who cannot be ter. We admire even our enemies they may be simple or complex. A personality may roused to white heat and to entire forgetfulness demonstrate that they can "stand the gaff." So impress you as a simple melody picked out on of himself and his petty cares, can never develop that trait of personality attracts us most which the keys, or it may be like the rich and har­ strong personality and he can never be of great enables its possessor to stand "all the slings monious rolling chords of organ music. One influence on the world's affairs. Great souls and arrows of outrageous fortune" with serene man's personality may be like the clear white thus forget self and submerge personal interests equanimity and without bitterness. But stamina light that falls through common glass. Or in this zeal for a cause. They are the heroes, is more than mere fortitude, which bears mis­ again, it may be like the gorgeous blazonry of the adventurers, the crusaders of all ages. fortunes and calamities without whining and color cast by stained glass windows through dim Without such men, no reforms, no marked ad­ without repining. That is only a negative vir­ cathedral aisles. The very same light that vances of the world's life, have ever been ac­ tue. Positively and constructively it is ability falls white and clear through the windowpane complished. By such men other men are swept to take punishment and come back for more. may be so broken up by the angles of refrac­ along as leaves are swept by a great tempest. And this has been the characteristic of great­ tion in the spectroscope as to be thrown on the A man cold, correct, calculating, astute, incapa­ hearted fighters all through history. Such men wall in all the hues of the rainbow. So ble of great enthusiasms, is also incapable of can be killed but they cannot be beaten while the experiences of life passing through some true greatness or of mightily influencing others. there is a breath of life left. men seem to find no obstruction, no richness of II. The second pre-eminent quality connected interpretation. The same experiences passing with effective personality is apparently the an­ So in the great reforms of the world's his- through other choice natures are interpreted to tithesis of the first. The quality is poise. No tory and in the little reforms of local or pa­ the world in colors and harmonies. one is permanently attracted by an effervescent rochial history, men of this type have fought or explosive individual. We do not put confi­ on, though deserted by friends and derided by personality, therefore, is the moving force of dence in wild-eyed fanatics. With the enthu­ foes, until the victory was finally won. The the world, the thing that accomplishes, the siasm that burns like a steady flame must be men who have put forth the big new ideas and human dynamic. What you are is enormously coupled the level-headed sanity and cool judg­ forced an unwilling world to accept them, have more effective than what you say, because your ment that we call poise. Tremendous power, always been men of stamina or they would words take their meaning and power and col­ exuberance, vivacity, enthusiasm, under the iron never have prevailed. Such a man's head may or from your personality. Says the sage, control of the will and intellect are always im­ be .bloody from the buffets of Fate, but it will ''What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot pressive and effective. An angry man who always be unbowed. Stamina is the heart of hear what you say." controls his feelings may sometimes be tre­ oak that carries a man through the derision Personality may be built up like the muscular mendously impressive, but the man in a rage and scorn and contempt and ridicule of the system. It may be broadened, enriched, who flies to pieces is ridiculous and futile. world,-aye and through the stripes and Im­ strengthened. No man need despair because he Force under restraint and guidance is the law prisonments unto his desired goal. Earth has lacks the rich or effective personality which he of accomplishment. That law is valid in na- (Continued on page three) 2 The Interpreter , Calendar The Interpreter IThe Interpreter Suggests I September 14, Monday-Registration begins. Published monthly, except July and August, by the General ExtensiOn Division, University of Min­ September 24, Thursday-English Placement nesota, at Minneapolis. Test. (See notice on this page.) Below is a list of the books studied by the ~ Entered as second-class matter, October 2. 1926, I at the post office in Minneapolis, Minn., under the September 28, Monday-Classes begin. Book Review class offered during the second Act of August 24, 1912. October 1, Thursday-English Placement semester of last year by the Extension Division, Richard R. Price ------- Director Test. (For those who did not take it under the direction of Miss Melba Hurd. Read­ Advisory Committee T. A. H. Teeter H. B. Gislason September 24.) ers may find in this list some suggestions for I. W. Jones A. H. Speer October 3, Saturday-Last day for registra­ their own excursions into current literature. Curtis E ..Avery -------- Editor tion without extra fee. Incidentally, Miss Hurd will offer her class in December 19, Saturday-Christmas recess Book Reviews both semesters this year, giving ~ SEPTEMBER, 1936 begins. attention to other recent books. I January 4, (1937) Monday-Classes resumed. February 1-5-Final examinations. NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES Registration February 6-First semester ends. THE LAST PURITAN. By George San­ tayana Students may register for extension classes by I mail, by telephone, or by personal application, OF TIME AND THE RIVER By Thomas from September 14 to October 3. Late registra­ Official Advisers Wolfe tions are subject to a special fee. The impor­ Extension students who have inclinations FR01f DEATH TO MORNING (short ~ tance of registering before the first meeting of toward a degree should bear in mind the fact stories).

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