Digital Collections @ Dordt

Dordt Canon University Publications

1973

The Canon, [1972-73]: Volume 3, Number 4

Dordt College

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/dordt_canon

Recommended Citation Dordt College, "The Canon, [1972-73]: Volume 3, Number 4" (1973). Dordt Canon. 55. https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/dordt_canon/55

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications at Digital Collections @ Dordt. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dordt Canon by an authorized administrator of Digital Collections @ Dordt. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Soli Deo Gloria

CANNON DORDT COLLEGE, SIOUX CENTER, IOWA VOL. III -.- No.4 Mother Night: Victims of Change Victoria and Blue·Jeans Prof. James Koldenhoven by Pat De Young What Is Life? The old and the new, like jaws of a trap, have closed on the people of I saw Victoria Allison for the first ally she disagreed in discussion-too by Becky Maatman Tennessee Williams and John Osborne's time on satge. She walked out, long loudly in her curt, clipped Yankee ac- Vonnegut, author of Mother Night plays, The Glass Menagerie and Look swinging steps, took the mike, and cent. Having said what she wanted to asks, "What is a war criminal? Is it Back inAnger. Laura Wingfield iS1he quietly announced, "I will sing a selec- say, she would give her head a toss someone who has obeyed his conscience, central victim in Williams' American tion from Hair." Staring at the floor in and return to silence, eyes focused on perhaps doing wrong,",» is it someone (U.S.A.) culture in the 1930's and silence, she paused. Then up came her the floor. who obeys the commands of a higher 40's; Jimmy Porter is the central victim head, kinky blond hair shaken back. authority, doin~ right but disobeying I began to look for Victoria on in Osborne's British culture of the Eyes closed, standing with both feet campus. I wondered who her friends thisconscience?' 1940's and 50's. These plays, though gracefully planted, she sang. No piano, were. It was then that' noticed the Does this sound like another Mei Lai quite dissimilar in tone and structure, circumstance? Howard W. Campbell, provide a view of the changes taking no guitar, just her voice. It was not blue-jeans. She wore blue-jeans almost "born an American citizen, a Nazi by place on both sides of the Atlantic and opera. But never quavering, grabbing every day. either the same pair or iden- reputation, and a nationless person by how the changes affected the -lives or the notes, she hit them hard, made tical pairs; baggy, faded, frayed, here- inclination," hid in a New York City men and women. They are both social them knives, threw them at us. Then and- there patched. I remember wishing attic from the Israeli government. He plays, with philosophical overtones, she bowed, once more shook back the I had a pair like that. had been a spy for the Allies in World which illustrate the injury caused by hair, replaced the mike, and left as The one time I really looked at her War II, broadcasting over the radio being caught between what is past and easily as she had come on. and saw her in class she was wearing what seems to be the present and im- using a coded language. An American A dramatic monolgue won the fresh- those jeans and an army jacket. We mediate future. No escape and no real man-transfer-student talent competi- were discussing Oedipus Rex: Was his agent, persuading Howard Campbell to alternative are available to Laura and tion. But I made a note of the name, punishment justified? Victoria spoke be a spy said, Jimmy. Laura is a misfit in a society "Victoria Allison." You'll have to commit high treas- whose values changed too rapidly and out from behind us, "Of course, it all The name came up again in Honors on, have to serve the enemy well. too radically; Jimmy is a misfit in a depends on what you think of incest. English class. Mrs. Lipsey tripped You won't ever be forgiven for misfit in a society which promised In some cultures it is taboo, in others, through the door, as always a little that, because there isn't any legal changed but never delivered. not. For example, in some parts of the late, a little breathless, her short dumpy advice by which you can be for- Token reforms in British democracy Appalachian Mountains, (by then we body was fuzzy gray curls bouncing given.The most that will be done produced Osborne's Jimmy Porter. Ec- were all looking at her) when children with the joy in her smile. "Good morn- for you is that your neck will be onomic necessity and a war, it appear- reach sexual maturity, a father will ing, my dears!" saved. But there will be no magic ed, had reduced all Englishmen to de- sleep with his daughter and a mother Counting out ditto sheets to be pass- time when you will be cleared, pendence upon one another. The La- with her son to give them their initial ed down rows, she explained, "This when America will call you out bor Party, in its austerity programs, sex experience." She was staring at Mrs. was written twenty-five years ago by of hiding with a cheerful: "Oily, promised "equality to all." And though Lipsey, expressionless, waiting. one of my students, John Allison. A oily-ox-in-free.' the Education Act of 1944 reformed Mrs. Lipsey stared back, slowly put sharp, smart young man." Her brown the academic institutions of England, down her book, and flatly replied, "I Before being recruited as an Ameri- eyes twinkled. "The only one of my can agent, Campbell was a German the "eleven plus" test could not prom- think you need to check your facts. ise its youth social acceptance. Many students to beat Doc Sadler's pre-med Don't make an incident a generality." playwright, married to a German ac- boys for grades ... graduated top of tress, Helga Noth. They both kept in brilliant children were sent to "sec- The room had thudded silent; her voice ondary modem" school, but many his class. fell sharp and heavy into the quiet. She the social group of important Nazis. "I've used this poem for an example This is what qualified Campbell to be a more who were understood become rose. Somewhere (the chapel lawn?) a over - educated for a society that many times, but this is the first time I lawnmower was whining. Grasping the spy for the Allies. During the war, can say that John sent one of his chil- while entertaining troups in the Crimea, granted privilege and power to a pseu- back of her chair with both hands, she do-aristocracy. From the vantage point dren back here to school. Victoria- leaned forward and continued more Helga was killed. After moving to New she's sharp and talented too. I hope York, Helga's sister Resi Noth moved of 1960. Evelyn Waugh said, "The Eng- queitly, "My dear, I was raised on a lish aristocracy has maintained its iden- you all meet her. Maybe you have al- Louisiana farm, daughter of a Baptist in with Campbell, and at the same ready." She looked up at us and added preacher. I've seen the world, and what time was an agent for the Russian to a degree that then (1944], seemed possible." Waugh's voice is much less quietly, "You know, from San Fran- I haven't seen I've read. But there's government. She and a man named cynical than that of Osborne, but the cisco to small town Southern Baptist Kraft (Campbell's friend, living in the still something in me that draws lines I assessment is nearly the same. Things Mississippi means ... a difficult adjust- don't dare cross. Your life and world same apartment house) were supposed had not changed as much as the reform ment." has been different. I can't judge you to lead Campbell to Moscow. But Resi ideals had promised. Smile wrinkles crinkling again: "AI· and your generation-I must under- couldn't betray Campbell, and per- Jimmy Porter's anger as he looks right rn'dears, I'll give you ten minutes stand you. But you shouldn't judge me suaded Kraft to make plans for all back is provoked by this discrepancy to find, label, and be ready to explain either; you must try to understand me three to escape to Mexico. Too soon, between promise of change and feeling the figures of speech the poet uses." and my reaction." however, American G-Men raided the no change. He is provoked that the It was a minor challenge. Often she She stopped, waiting, I think, for apartment. Resi commited suicide and state church, for instance, which should said, '" like to put the hurdles just a the others were arrested. Campbell, Victoria to look up again. Without the: show the greatest humane sense, ap- little higher than even the best of you twinkle, her eyes were dark. So softly soon a free man turned himself in to peals to its membership, to do all think you can go." I attacked all chal- that I wondered if Victoria heard, she the Israeli government and in prison they can to assist in the manufacture lenges, big or small, excited that I added, "Without understanding, your awaited trial. And that is the end (or is of the l-l-Bomb ." Jimmy senses keen- might make it higher than even she freedom will hurt you." it the beginning-the whole novel is ly the discrepancy of Bishop Bromley's thought I could. Now I think maybe Can tinued on page 3 written as a "backflash"). You don't saying that he "denies the difference none of us ever surprised her. She badg- know if Campbell is innocent or guilty. of class distinction," only to add, ered us into surprising ourselves; then I guess a story like that never really "This idea has been persistently and Wisely, wide-eyed and smiling, she IBM 207 has en end because it has happened all wickedly fostered by - the working would share our pride. a card for each fact too often. Kurt Vonnegut is asking, I sat up front under her nose-and class." Jimmy's lolling about the house a place for each card "Why does there have to be war? Why on Sunday mornings, reading the news- answered every question I could. Still, a bank for each place do millions have to die?" To him, war papers, is his way of defying the re- she liked me. Three weeks into the a thought for each bank isan insane act that stops humans from ligious establishment, his way of inter- semester. Victoria transferred into our feeling and loving. People see the cold rupting impolitely the proper routine. class. Mrs. Lipsey liked Victoria too, I a zlunk for each thought news stories and pictures taken of the Jimmy Porter's anger is also direct- could tell, but it seemed Victoria a crool for each zlunk war, but will never understand what ed against the pretense to freedom of wouldn't respond. Time after time she a gnik for schook crool hell it is unless they are in it. Photo- education which provides, instead, re- slipped through the back door late to a komI bruk schook gink graphers win prizes for photographing spectability for some and social immo- sit silently in one of the last desks, sep- sor f1eem bruk schook komI. Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 arated from the rest of us. Occasion- Wally Ouwens Page 2

VICTIMS OF CHANGE WHAT IS LIFE? jacket, pipe, tea, and newspapers give civilzations and looked at their creativ- (continued from page 1) (continued from page I) him the veneer of respectability. His ity. We look at cave men's pictures on bility for others. His outrage is directed bad manners, however, his unorthodox brutality in our crazy world. dirt walls, We believe that books, sculp- tured figures, and paintings depict the at the example of Nigel, his brother- view of religion and morality, and his Campbell's friend, Kraft said, "All in-law, who represents generations of Midland enthusiasm quite undo the people are insane. They will do any- feelings of the artists of a certain era. We study wars, but the true feelings of educational and political quackery. appearance. He has suffered and he thing anytime and God help anyone "They knew all about character build- has seen suffering, but he makes Ali- who looks for reasons." Sarcastically the war aren't really preserved. ing at Nigel's school," Jimmy says son suffer intolerably. He adores Campbell reveals his philosophy, Campbell sees life as being divided into segments, each one being differ- cynically, noting almost in the' same Hugh's mother, "princiaplly because "There are plenty of good reas- ent. All that is needed is that you rec- breath, "Now Nigel is just about as she's been poor almost all he life. ons for fighting but no good reas- vague as you can be without being Such righteous sympathy might have on ever to hate without reserva- ognize what is being expected of you. That is the secret of successful living. actually invisible." Nigel is headed for him dubbed a knight in shining ar- tion, to imagine that God Al- a respectable Cabinet post, but, in mor, as when he rescued Alison from mighty Himself hates with you, What is life? To Campbell it was only Jimmy's words, he might better ','seek" her parents, but Alison says, "his armor too. Where's evil? It's that large curiosity that motivated him through sanctuary in his own stupidity." Nigel didn't really shine very much." He is part of every man that wants to the dead and pointless years. He be- is a product of the red brick school; deeply religious in his longing for "a hate without limit, that wants to lieved that if he had a real reason to Jimmy went to the one of white tile. little ordinary human enthusiasm," but hate with God on its side. It's live, he could move in any direction. Jimmy is irate at the hypocrisy of hostile towards religion. He is an in- that part of every man that finds He couldn't die with Resi for love be- equating education with colored mas- tellectual egotist and' vulgar, and i- all kinds of ugliness so attractive. cause he no longer believed that love is onry. dealist and an iconoclast. \\ho this It's that part of an imbecile that the only thing to live for, contrary to what Resi believed when she ended her Morality is another issue. Cliff, Jim- Jimmy Porter is, becomes a profound punishes and vilifies and makes life. Campbell is told by Bernard my's friend, seems early in the play to question in the play. And even he does war gladly." O'Hare, head of the American Legion be more than a friend to Alison, Jim- not know the answer. When Alison Campbell says it is impossible to and discoverer of Campbell's hiding my's wife. Cliffs affection for Alison leaves the garret on occasion, Jimmy hate America, but to love it is silly. place, "Just when you think there isn't is undeniable. Then, after the ironing goes through her trunks, cases, book- A person can only have love for an- any point to life, all of the sudden you board incident and after Cliff applies a cases, "To see," he says, "if there is other person. A man and woman can realize you are being aimed right bandage to Alison's arm and a kiss to something of me somewhere, a refer- become "a nation of two" against all straight at something." Maybe Howard her lips, Jimmy says, "Why don't you ence to me." He confesses later, "One the other nations of the world. When Campbell realized this when he turned both get into bed, and have done with of us is crazy ..... Is it me? ... Or is it his nation ceased, he became what he himself in. Resi's life was only a dream, it." In a real sense he means what he she?" Jimmy is suspended, caught, be- would always be, a stateless person. it had a beginning, a middle, and an says, for he also defies the hypocrisy tween a vague knowledge of what a Only in his "nation of two" with his end. Campbell thought that life isn't of middle-class, inflexible, codified democracy ought to be and a well ar- wife, Helga, was he given uncritical so simple; he didn't and couldn't com- morality. Sexual fidelity or infidelity ticulated villification of what his socie- love. He says, mit suicide. are to Jimmy not a question of morali- ty is. Sometimes he is a squirrel, some- Uncritical love is what I needed. Vonnegut presents a philosophy ty. Morality for him is inter-depend- times a bear, but either way, the garret No young person on earth is so that asks" Are we just pretending our ence of people and commitment, a game he and Alison play shows us excellent in all respects as to whole lives? If so, then we must be mixture of sensitivity and guts. He trapped animals, at best a "zoo for need no uncritical love. two." Caught between the old and the careful about what we pretend to be." needs Alison's spiritual fidelity. Jim- That is true, to some extent. Love promise of new, Jimmy is ambivalent- Through Campbell Vonnegut says, "Oh my's relationship to Alison is like his is taking a person for what he is, and ly lost, without identity, without a ref- God, the lives people try to lead. Oh relationship to the country which he not trying to change him. But if you renee poin t. God, what a world they try to lead will not abandon as his friend Hugh did love someone, you will want to help More than the Atlantic Ocean sep- them in." You can't blindly accept in disgust and total disappointment, them. Campbell never told his wife that arates the menagerie of Osborne and life with the" ... sweet miracle of un- seeking a "New Millennium." Jimmy he was a spy. He must have thought that of Tennessee Williams. Like Jim- questioning faith. I consider a capacity strikes out at the thing he loves ..As he that her uncritical love would end, and my Porter, Laura in the The Glass for it terrrifying and absolutely vile." tries to free Alison from her non-com- he couldn't let that happen. Menagerie is suspended or caught in There is no such thing as a free man, mittal attitude by tongue lashing her, His relation to Helga was a game the trap of what was the past and according to Vonnegut. He must always so he would, if he had a way, lash out that kept his sanity: "Everybody is what is the present and the inevitable be under the rule of someone or some- at his country to have it leave its Ed- supposed to play games for mental future. Laura has neither the promise thing. I think Christians have a deeper wardian past with its hypocrisy and health." In other words, man needs of change before her nor the possibility understanding of a free man. Man has commit it to dealing honestly with the dreams to survive the brutal reality of of changing things. Where Jimmy Por- Christian liberty because he is in Christ, needs of today. In this larger context the world, a game of war that nations ter is harsh and flailing, Laura Wing- freed from man's laws. Campbell, a- lies the morality of the play. Helena's insanely play with each other. Resi, field is fragile and withdrawn. Where waiting in the Israeli jail found the sexual relationship with Jimmy is Campbell's mistress and dead wife's Jimmy strikes out at promises unful- prospect of freedom nauseating. He wrong for her: "you can't be happy sister said, when what you're doing is wrong." filled, Laura has succumbed to the in- still wouldn't ne able to live his life ac- Life's been too hard for me ever This is her inflexibility code. For Jimmy, evitable. The only avenue for her is re- cording to his own conscience, because to afford much guilt. A really however, morailty is being flexible to treat, and retreat she does into the his life has been run by others. bad conscience is as much out of change, being committed to the best world of little glass animals and music The title of the book is taken from a my reach as a mink coat. Day- interest of everyone, being genuine. from her victrola. speech by Mephistopheles in Faust by dreams were what kept me going Fundamentally, Jimmy Porter's ti- The American scene which produced Goeth: at that machine, day after day, rade is against what the English institu- Laura Wingfield was not so much a and I had no right to them. They I am a part that at first was all tions have made of Englishmen whose matter of political and educational re- part of the darkness that gave were the dreams of somebody I causes have recently vanished. Alison, form as it was a rapid change in values. wasn't. Living people make birth to light, that light which who resembles her father, sits "on the Contrasted in Williams' play are the now disputes Mother Night her words, don't they? fence because it's comfortable and values of the Southern gentility and the ancient rank and space, and yet more peaceful." The Colonel had a industrialized North. The nineteenth- Is that the only hope left in life-the cannot succeed; no matter how cause in the military occupation of century plantation had vanished with fact that no one can take away your it struggles, it sticks to matter India, but that is now gone, and he, its servants, leisure, and Protestant dreams? and cannot get free. Light flows too, is home and complacent. Alison, ethis. Capitalism and refurbished the Campbell asks a guard, "What is from substance, makes it beauti- like her father, can get used to any- mid-continent with machines, manu- history?" He wonders why people ful; solids can check its path, so thing, even Paradise, according to Jim- factured products, and warehouses. study history-past civilizations-sand I hope it won't be long till light my. Alison's breeding derives from the There are no gentlemen callers left. don't concentrate more on the present. and the world's stuff are destroy- intellectual set who "sit around feeling They have been replaced by laborers, Everyone should know now why there ed together. is a war, rather than having to learn very spiritual," while Jimmy's solu- like Jim O'Connor, who chews gum I thank that Christians might view and stands in awe of the Wrigley Build- about some past civilization. He says, tion lies in the brawl. "It's the only man as more than part of a cycle that thing left I'm any good at," he says. ing and scientific progress. Future generations are going to will be destroyed anyway. True, man is Amanda Wingfield is not the direct Osborne conceives of his Jimmy judge all men by the extent to constantly disputing the Creator and cause of Laura's inverted personality. Porter in social terms, but the philoso- which they've been artists. We can't succeed without Him. The book's She is the transitional generation to a phical by-product of the play centers will be judged by the quality of philosophy takes man to have no fu- new era, trying to adapt to the new in the ambivalence of Jimmy Porter's our own creations. Nothing else ture after death; man has a beginning, values while clutching onto remnants about us will matter. position, from which there is no escape. a middle, and an end. It seems like a Continued on page 7 The real Jimmy is-allusive. His tweed This is true in that we have studied past Continued on page 3 Page 3

'WHAT IS LIFE? "You can't give a warning to some- Continued from page 2 body for wearing a blue denim pant- suit even if it zips." I fatalistic view of man-his goal in life "Alright, say pantsuits are okay." I is to simply survive-there is no real "You can tell anything a pantsuit." I meaning in life. "Then why not say all blue-jeans Presenting this humanistic view, the with outside seams are illegal?" I book is well written in a paradox form. "That's stupid." I enjoyed saying it, The plot is unimportant, the meaning so I said it again. "That's stupid. A I instead is important. It makes one girl can get kicked out of school for think about what life is, and what he letting the switches that hold her I is making of his life. pants together show." "But we've got to draw the line somewhere." "Why? I know you can't run a school without rules," (I said that to the , chairman's eyebrows, raised and ready to pounce) "but why do you have to 'VICTORIA & BLUE JEANS draw a line at blue-jeans?" I Continued from page 1 She closed the discussion. "I think I know how we all feel about the Picking up her book, she smiled, issue. Will you trust me to represent all "Pageone-thirty-two. Read, please, Miss of your views fairly when I meet with Patterson." The dead silence of the the President and Dean?" Her dark room woke to the whisper of pages eyes questioned us intently. I couldn't flipping. By line ten Victoria was gone. say no, but I'd rather have done it I watched the attered blue-jeans out myself. the door. It clicked shut and I tried to A week later the Dean met with us. think Sophocles. The chairman called the meeting to • • • order and asked me to open with By then the blue-jeans were a sep- prayer. ". . . may what is done be arate entity. I respected them and I done in Thy Will and to Thy Glory ... " despised them; most of all, I didn't Before the chairman's report, the Dean want to see them or think about them. wanted to say a few words. She lay a "Blue-jeans!" was the campus rev- long finger beside a long nose as if olutionary rally-cry, Female rebels wore thinking, then folded her hands in her blue denim armbands and hung blue- lap and sat up straight, very poised and jeans in their dormitory windows. Cell very tall, even sitting. groups called public demonstrations; "Girls, as a Board you are doing speakers jumped on patio tables, shook such a fme job. I just want you to their fists and screamed at Administra- know that I certainly do appreciate tion, Women's Affairs Board, and a- dedication and your good sense." Her pathetic masses who swallowed the voice hit highs, dropped to lows, in- garbage of dress rules with only a flected and caressed us, following her grimace. smiles and the movement of her head. I was Women's Affairs Board, a be- "Breathy for a woman of that size," I thought. "Trying hard to be sweetly ginner carrying a brand-new walnut I AM NO ROMANTIC grained plastic notebook with my softspoken." name inscribed above "Secretary, W .A. "I'm sure you can understand the I have a friend B." Tuesday evening at 7:30 we open- position of the Administration. Blue- who feels like the suppleness ed with prayer. The chairman looked jeans or no blue-jeans is not the ques- of a light-breathing leaf at us, her board members, across the tion. The question is: What do they -buttery green. long dark oak table. Short, stocky; stand for; what would our eliminating Streams of liquid laughter the rule mean? dark hair pulled smoothly back from a roll from her lips square, competent forehead, she was "The Administration feels that wearing the faded blue-jeans represents like refreshing sweet snow not beautiful, but possessed a powerful melted and quiet dignity. "Very intellegent," I had a rebellious attitude of life , an identifi- sliding over moss-loving stones. been told, "and quite friendly ... up cation with an element of society which should not be represented on a Chris- to a point." Leaning forward, her palms and el- tian campus. What's more, giving in to bows resting on the table, she re- the blue-jeans demand would be poor minded us that we could do nothing psychology. Next they would demand But- complete freedom of dress or make a Don't you hear leavescrashing on cracked concrete? to change the rules 'except make rec- ommendations to the Administration. moral issue of smoking and drinking Don't you seeblack licorice-water licked up by dogs? "Officially we are strictly a judicial rules. Saying 'no' at this point is say- She won't always be so, body," she said, "and we must make ing in principle, 'a rule is a rule'." you know. that clear to those who are demanding Looking up from her memo, she Do you hear !? action from us." She spoke well. I continued, "I personally feel that a Do you see!? thought, "Now she will raise her eye- CfiJistian young lady would not want Do you know what I mean !? to dress in a way that would make her brows for emphasis. . a frown ... Do you know what it is to become realistic!? now a smile for effect." Sometime I seem to be any less than a Christian was wrong. But not often. young lady." She smiled again and was Our first order of business was to finished. decide (as law interpreter) which jeans "Thank you," nodded the chairman. were legal, which not. It went without Soberly counting points on her fingers, saying that all colors but blue were she delineated the compromise as pro- Yes; I am. acceptable-"We've got to draw the posed by the Administration. "First, For I know line somewhere." blue-jeans may be worn weekday after- I will yet have a friend. "Last year they said button instead noons after one o'clock. Second, blue- Mark Okkema of a zipper made blue-jeans legal-" jeans may not be worn to any classes "Kinda hard to tell who to gibe a at any time. Third, blue-jeans may be warning to." Continued on page 7 age 4

WILES pleasure-seeking devices contrived by man leading him urging him on as crafty wiles are dealt we vainly hope for a "good hand". sinking in this depravity,' so time consuming we play led on by the winner's ecstacy we play and play sinking further as we play. until engulping us we are caught in the thought that these insensate activities are relevant Ah! I lament for the insensitive wisdom expounded by those of old who knowing the plight of diversions said DON'T ..... LITTLE WOLF'S LAMENT not eliciting why Wally Ouwens for they too caught in moralism ... 'twas in the moon of ne(Ncherries played that the horse soldiers came and sank. they shot at my mother Wally Vande Kleut and above the sof eyes a fountain of blood rose. with long curving knives they ripped open my father he sat very still then SADL Y THE CHILDREN his hands dead yet still trying Once street preach in , man to push the white guts back in. there was this nice old lady they rode steel-shod horses in a plain brown dress down the road lives a street preach in , man over baby sister's face she talked to the children (yes, she like laughing waters) told them stories his home .her eyes hung on threads of a wonderful man just a shack from a blood-and-brain pancake. in a faraway land he prays for his bread and never goes hungry oh manitou, walking in thunder a long time ago hear they child, red though I am they listened he never stops smiling why did you leave them ... with cookies and milk through grey rain and ... she brought for them or angry people why did you spare me. but then his still small voice jason sadly can be drowned out. the children turned away but it always outlasts she was nice like a statue but they wanted to play changless come wind or snow with new plastic toys. except Wally Ouwens his eyes burn. today officials came asking about him it seems he won't be around very long Wally Ouwens POEM FOR TOMORROW Step over the rubble of yesterday's dreams, Broken by Satan's merciless hand. Never look back on the venomous streams, Which flow leaving a slow healing brand. Looking face down at The White Horse's Pit, Behind me are demons, all in my pursuit. No where to go, looking up I remit,' He rescued my soul from the gallows fruit. Aim your steps for tomorrow's )01'/ Forget the real but dormant past,' Beware of powers which destroy, And live again, at last! Look back on dreams unfulfilled, And there remains no room for now,' But march forward, strongly willed, And His love will show you how. Joy Bomer Page 5

, competence of the Russian officers. a traditional sense, it does signify a in Siberia. He tries to create a character with whom every Russian can identify. Amid a large cross section of charac- deep and profound search for values in ters, two main figures dominate the ~ieta a post-marxist, industrialized, dull, and The mistrust among the people in the camp, the selfishness. the cruelty of the theme of the novel. The fictional Col- spiritually vacuous society.. . the onel Vorotyntsev exposes the currup- A~etCCaHJ{p younger Russians are searching in the authorities and the returned hatred of tion of the 'f'sarist system and the in- only place open to them: their own the authorities are characteristics which Co.nmeHulfMH typify Russian society. But again, Solz- competence of the Russian officers. past. " The end of the novel suggests that the One of the most notable of the con- henitsyn tries to do more than docu- DenBoer, Farr, Hielema, Van Tol Tsarist system is dead and a new Rus- temprary humanist-Marxists is the Rus- men t Russian society. He glorifies the sia will have to be born. Only Colonel "Under the Shadow of the Tsar- sian author, Aleksandr Solhenitsyn. invincibility if Ivan-though he gets Vorotyntsev manages to escape the Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn" Unfortunately, in the Western world kicked and shoved from all sides he re- he's known for his battle with Soviet mains a man. Though he is a "humble, Tsarist system. The Soviet Union has always been Solzhenitsyn sympathizes with the bureaucracy than for his imaginative utterly bewildered, plain man" (from Russia.Although it is difficult to see historic General Samsonov when he be- work. But what the West has forgotten the introduction) Solzhenitsyn makes beyondthe collective farms, the Tomb comes trapped by staff blunders and ofLenin, and the urbanization of Si- is that art has never been given free- him into a hero. The same themes are developed in the incompetence of his superiors. Af- beria,there remains the cathedral of St. dom is Russian society. Even the "lib- The First Circle. The "Circle' refers to ter the defeat of the Second Army at Basil,the Graeco-Slavic language, and eral" empress, Catherine the Great 'top class' political prisoners. These the Battle of Tannenberg, Sansonov de- thestern faces of a citizenry born to closed down every satrical journal prisoners are largely scientists and tech- cides that there is no reason to go on Russianpeasants. The Russian Revolu- which dared to venture into social nicians. Instead of putting in time in living. He kisses the Tsar's presentation tion of 1917, allevia ting the exploi- and political criticism. The Shakespeare Siberian Labor Camps, they work in a sword and commits suicide. The image tationof the Russian peasants by the of the Russian peoples, Pushkin, spent research prison. In this novel Solzhen- which flashes in his mind before his Western-minded nobility, severed the most of his life in exile from S1. Peters- itsyn follows in the footsteps of Dos- death is not a scene from his simple 'history of Russia from the 20th cen- burg. Dostoyevsky was the victim of a toyevsky and Tolstoi by developing country childhood but the image of tury. The Tsar was dead. Russia then mock execution, of which, at the last several characters rather than concen- the "huge grim Cathedral of the Don turned to a German born ideal of life, moment, the Tsar mitigated the punish- trating on one. The result is an ex- Cossack Host, perched on a hill top, based on economics. In many situa- ment to hard labor. In surveying with its intricate ornamental brick Russian history it became obvious panded version of Ivan, the setting and tionsthe Revolution of 1917 benefited work." that Russian art began under the dom- the themes are almost identical. The , the Russian people, give or take two A minor character expresses Solz- ination of the Greek Orthodox Church, major difference between the two is decadesof confusion. But the tradition henitsyn's feelings about the revolu- after Peter the Great was subjected to the complexity of the latter versus the ofthe lvans, fathers to all Russian peo- tion' "A reasonable man cannot be in. the scrutiny of the Tsar's censor, and simplicity of the former. For Solzhen- ples, starved under Marxist-Leninist favor of revolution, because revolution in Soviet Russia must bow to the pro- itsyn the artist 'Circle' was much more dreams. is a long and insane process of destruc- letariat state. Solzhenitsyn's position is difficult to write and it is to his credit After the Revolution, artists, musi- tion. Above all, no revolution ever not a curiosity peculiar to the Soviet that it is a success. To deal adequately cians, farm managers, engineers, law- strengthens a coun try: it tears it apart, state. And neither is Solzhenitsyn im- with so many diverse characters and yers,et. aI., looked to the New Tsar, and for a long, long time." At another portant as a political pawn to be produce a coherent work of art at the scienceand technology, to throw off point in the novel, an aging scientist thrown about with ideological glee. same time is a commendable accom- the cloak of Slavic-Russian identity says that history is not governed by He is an artist and his significance is plishment. andput on the coat of Marxist inter- reason but has its own, perhaps incom- his literary work. The next step in Solzhenitsyn's de- nationalism. Russia became the Union prehensible, organic structure. An ideal Solzhenitsyn does give art a rather velopment is Cander Ward. The setting of Soviet Socialist Republics with a social order cannot be scien tifically World mission rather than a people exalted position. In his Nobel lecture, is a hospital which treats patients hav- he states that art has a special quality: ing various kinds of cancer. In this constructed. committed to a slavophile Mother A hope for the future of Russia is " ... the conviction carried by a gen- novel again Solzhenitsyn developes the Russia. As a result, Greek Orthodox expressed in Colonel Vorotyntsev's view churches were closed, Moussorgsky's uine work of art is absolute and sub- characters of several patients, doctors, and nurses but, as the novel progresses, of Russia as the fatherland. The idea musicwas not performed, reading Tol- dues even a resistant heart." Solzhenit- sy wonders, "Who will coordinate these his attention focuses upon Oleg Kosto-. of the fatherland meant something to stoy was frowned upon, and artists Vorotyntsev but it meant little to the scales of values, and how? Who will glotov. Oleg is a patient who is con- (including architects and clothes de- men of his regiment. The spiritual tra- give mankind one single system for vinced that he does not have cander signers)succumbed to portraying and 'ditions of the Russian people are ad- reading its instruments, both for wrong- and should therefore be discharged. In' and proclaiming an economically direct- mired but Colonel Vorotyntsev refuses doing and for doing good, for the in- Cander Ward Solzhenitsyn goes one ed life style. Officially and in practice, to appeal to God for help in a tight step further than his other novels. In the Soviet Union tried to break the tolerable and the tolerable as they are situation because he felt it would be the other two the prisoners are still in historicalunfolding of the Russian her- distinguished from each other today?" blasphemous to ask God for help in custody as the story ends. Toward the itage and bury the Tsar plus all he His answer is literature. defending a German town against the end of this novel Kostogloto is released stood for once and for all. However, In turning away from the cultural Germans themselves. from the ward to return to his native At the end of the novel, Vorotynt- revolutions are never fully revolution- emptiness of his society, Solzhenitsyn Ush-Terek in South-central Russia. The sev is dismissed from a staff conference ary. After five decades of hard-line throws out the official Soviet writing result is as if Oleg had been reborn. because every Russian officer of being suppression from Soviet bureacrats, style, Soviet Realism. He finds its "true-to-life" glorifications of prolitar- Solzhenitsyn writes, "It was the morn- responsible for the history of Russia. the people of the Soviet Union are He has a feeling of relief and freedom, iatc life far too narrow. As a substitute ing of creation. The world had been searchingfor a revised Marxism which when he is dismissed but his future re- he chooses the writing style of nine- created anew for one reason only, to be will transcend the cultural bareness of mains unclear. Leninism and Stalinism. In an out- teenth century Russia, Russian Real- given back to Oleg. "Go out and live!" So much is yet to be done in order standing article titled" A New Quest ism, and especially the "vast tapestry" it seemed to say." Solzhenitsyn does to understand art and cultural devel- for the Old Russia" in the Saturday approach of Tolstoy. Like Tolstoy, the not let the story degenerate to a rom- opments in the Soviet Union. But in Review(12/25/71), Georgie Ann Gey- main character in Solzhenitsyn's writ- antic happy ending. As Oleg boards his doing so it would be wrong to begin er reports of the fantastic amount of ing is Russian Society. Both authors homeward bound train (and the novel but putting on the glasses of political publicand official government support introduce a multitude of cha ractets , to ends) passengers are bickering and ideology. Alexander Solzhenitsvn's for rediscovering the heritage of Moth- portray the development of an entire shoving .. "An evil man threw 10- work appears to be a case in point. er Russia. The onion-shaped domes of society. bacco in the Macaque Rhesuo's Eyes. the Greek Orthodox churches now re- Alexander Solzhemtsyns first three Just like that .. " Life may be difficult , gaintheir shining crucifixes, frescoes of novels. A Day iQ the lU~ oJ IV~IIDen- but man can overcome it. He has the pre-Tsarist times are no longer ignored isovich. The First Circle. and Cander spirit and the strength to take control, but are preciously being pieced togeth- WJrd-~Jllll;ve~uch~ comm~t~1 to become a hero. MOUNTAIN er, and, shocking to Westerners as it thl:-~~stress the struggles of Russian Solzhenitsyns most recent work, here may seem, the summer home of Tsar individuals against the impersonal August L2..l4. is the first volume of a to stand breathless Nicholuas Il on the Crimean Sea is structures of Soviet society. ~ Day ~ trilogy which Solzhenitsyn himself de- for a tinv time fully restored. Miss Geyer noted that Lh~ Life_, his first nove], outlines in scribes as a 20 year project. The work is the embrace of earth "This phenomenon has arisen out of heroic detail a typical day of Ivan Den- describes the WWI offensive of the what many young Russian writers and isovich, an inmate in a Siberian Labor Russian army into the Masurian Lakes the kiss 0 f sk ies. even officials acknowledge as a 'spirit- Camp. Solzhenitsyn emphasizes that it Region. Solzhenitsyn's account of the Wal/v Ouwens ual emptiness' in Soviet Life. And, al- is a "typical" day in the life of a "typi- battle scenes and maneuvers place the though, at least at this stage, it does cal" prisoner. He tries to do more than responsibility for the defeat of General Sarnsonov's Second Army on the in- not point to any return to religion in simply document his own experiences Page 6

transfer students from a secular uni- Reflections versity, I find that they too recognize SNOW by Phil Stel the direction and purpose Dordt pro- claims. And several students I knew Scattering snow-eshes on faces What can I say? I've spent almost personally who attended high school knit with the cold- four years at Dordt , Where do I stand? with me have quit university for the ness of a bone cut- College was a struggle and an ex- very reason that' it divides life, giving ting wind perience, but from the first I appre- no positive direction but rather leans and ice-sun rose red like at the burials ciated the Christian emphasis and di- toward anarchy. Many times during my blessing all with frozen laughter rection Dordt offered in its struggle college career, I felt I was taking an- with our Reformed faith, relating it to other Mickey Mouse course. Several priest and preachers come and go every aspect of our lives as confessing times I did. Nevertheless it is a great drawing crosses in the snow Christians. I also appreciate more the feeling to know we're struggling to. snow- white and the six urns importance Dordt places on interrelat- gether. and the dead buried the ing the various areas of our existence, The social life, the community, to constantly work with other Chris- dead friends, fellow students, professors, col- for the charming prince didn't return tians in a communal effort for the lege functions? Fantastic, especially in Kingdom. Perhaps idealistic, but the the light of my secular school up- as was expected ideas ingrained in our thoughts do bringing. Personally, I have never en- crash boom bang have a tendency to influence and direct countered a place that has such a united dread kill hang decisions we may make much later in vision. Problems, dissensions? Of course. and reverend jones went to the toilet life. Dordt , I feel, has helped to estab- And college life? A chance to grow it was a beautiful sight lish a purpose and a goal in my life as up, develop. entertain visions, establish well as in the Christian community to goals, prepare for life. And an oppor- priests and preachers come and go which we belong. tunity to make memories. drawing crosses in the snow From my discussion with several Thank you. rusted clots of blood petaled the ground and the blind led the blind over rotten mounds of long-gone gods and reverend jones floundered along it was a beautiful sight priests and preachers come and go EditMtat , , , drawing crosses in the snow the dread and fears The war in Viet Nam is at an end and response to the present abortion do not go away (at least temporarily). Much has been issue; from thoughts about Christian and salted tears said and much will yet be said about vocational-technical training in addi- melt the snow away the justice or injustice of the whole af- tion to liberal arts education to even fair. Critics are probably more in num- the relatively small things like involve- so reverend jones comes and goes ber for nearly every happening in life ment in the upcoming Fine Arts Fes- drawing crosses in the snow than many times the individuals in. tival. Mark Okkema volved in the situation. What does CO stand for for me: We as humans, even as Christians, conscientious objection or cop-out? find it much more convenient to be How have Ilet the abortion issue go so humble to the point of claiming no far as it is now and what am I doing talents at all for a job at the same time about it? Is there a need for Christian critical observers with a complete vocational and am I doing anything knowledge of everything involved than either for or against it? Willi be critical to personally accept responsibilities of Fine Arts without attempting to be with little comment. In reality we are a part of it or learn anything from it? ,...... , trying to show ourselves to be super- Questions such as these will get us ior to others-superior in humanity and much farther along the road to doing superior in knowledge and answers to God's will than criticisms of others or the problems of life. circumstances in life ,.either in private The basic activities in life often in- or public affairs. c. S. LEWIS volve these principles, from conscien- Wayne Brouwer tious objector status in war to reaction These books are available: SCREWTAPE LEITERS...... 95¢ OUT OF 'FHE SILENT PLANET 95¢ VOYAGE TO VENUS 95¢ THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH. 1.25 ABOLITION OF MAN 95¢ CHRONICLES OF NARNIA 6.95

20% OFF FOR TBC MEMBERS -FREE COFFEE- Reformational Dugout

Use back entrance of Inga's Men's Wear. Page 7

{]CTIMS OF CHANGE Menagerie; products of different social "Yes," she said, nose hawklike in tor ia, she asked sharply, "Don't you 20ntinued from page 2 cultures, end in the same place. Here profile, "I think so." believe that disobeying rules is wrong?" of the old. Her recall of Blue Moun- they are philosophically related: there In the corner stood a rolled-up Victoria just looked at her and then .ain, seventeen gentlemen callers on is no place to go-there is no escape. sleeping bag. Black and white mood she looked at us. 1 don't know what- ane Sunday afternoon, and a roomful The reunion of Jimmy and Alison in prints over her desk broke the mon- she saw in nine pairs of eyes down the ofjonquils may be romantically exagger- the end of Osborne's play may be good otony of beige cement blocks and lines. length of the dark polished table. But ned, but Amanda's adaptation to the theatrics, but there is no affirmation. "How do you like it here?" someth.ing shattered, leaving her sitting need of a livelihood are a grim reality. Their peace is sentimental and their She looked at me, eyes dark blue crumpled in the chair, head down, She sells subscriptions to The Horne- attitude one of resignation. Tom's re- with flecks of gray, more noncom- hands limp in her lap .. crying. I mital than shy or hostile. It's alright." maker's Companion, itselfm amalga- quest to Laura that she blow her looked away and heard a child sobbing, mation of romance and practical ad- candles out, in the end of Williams' "That's good." I smiled. "Well .. "Ever since I came here ... everything vice. She wants Laura to take up typ- play, is equally sentimental and resign- nice talking to you ... see y' around." I do is wrong." ing, and is concerned that Tom keeps ed. The existential by-product in these "Goodbye ." Finally the chairman broke into the I wasn't afraid of Victoria, just of his job in the warehouse because, as two plays lacks sufficient definition silence. "We're sorry you feel this the scorn, quiet behind her eyes. I she says to her son, "you've got to to be a creditable alternative to the way. " couldn't see it, but it had to be there. look out for your sister." She clings to trap in which the victims are caught. "But it doesn't make any difference, Because walking away, I felt small and the Protestant ethic of Tennessee by Without an alternative, even an affirma- does it?" Victoria spoke quickly, sharp- joining the moral cause of the D.A.R., tive to the trap in which the victims strangely ashamed. ly. Her fists clenched in her lap. She got her warnings anyway. The by opposing the use of intoxicating are caught. Without an alternative, Straightening, she raised her head. Her even an affirmation of absurdism, these dorm president had no qualms, or if liquor, and by piuosly rebuking Tom face was red-blotched and teary, but plays are resolved theatrically, but not she did, she stigled them. And so Vic- for using profanity and his casual refer- she was in control. "I'm not wrong. toria became our first (and, as it hap- ence to "instinct" to describe man. philosophically. They stop with whis- I'M not immoral for wearing blue-jeans. pened, only) case of the semester. "Instinct," she says, "belongs to ani- pered embarrassments. Your rule.is immoral." We met around the long oak table. mals! Christian adults don't want it!" Having nothing more to say, she Opening our inscribed walnut-grained But the practical Amanda will apply was excused and we were left to de- plastic notebooks, we prepared to take "gay deceivers" to Laura's flat chest cide what disciplinary action to recom- notes as the dorm president introduced and downright lie to Jim O'Connor mend. Counseling was out, said the the case. "Victoria already had two about who made the dinner. Theold Dean. In earlier sessions between the blue-jean warnings when I gave her order and the new are so mixed up in VICTORIA &. BLUE JEANS two, Victoria had been polite but un- Amanda that she herself is deceived. Continued from page 3 another one about two weeks ago. I reachable. And no, we couldn't send told her then that three warnings of the her to counsel with Mrs. Lipsey, her I Her question to Tom and Laura seems same nature meant she had to come almost pathetic: "Why can't you and worn all day Saturday, but not at all major department Head, because if the before House Council. She met with us your brother be normal people?" on Sunday." Dean could get no response, neither Tom is a victim of the changing "Any questions?" Tuesday night, and we decided that could anyone else. values, but at least he can distinguish' The Board had nothing to say. since she was new to the rules she Administrative Reprimand was the vaguely the difference between the old Somebody made a motion that we could have another chance. Wednesday final decision: and official personal re- and the new. "Face the facts," he says vote on the question. "All in favor of morning at 10: 3D-coming out of chap- primand, a letter home to her parents, to his mother, before he leaves the a- officially recommending the preceding, el-I saw her in blue-jeans again. I gave and the understanding that any further partment once more to go to the signify by raising your hand." I ab- her another warning and told her it infraction would result in disciplinary movies to find adventure. He knows stained. There were six in favor, three would probably mean she'd have to probation. vaguely that the movies are a cheap abstentions, I typed up the recpmmen- come before the Women's Affairs I typed up the recommendation escape, that "People go to the movies dation and put it on the Dean of Wom- Board. House Council met again Thurs- and put it on the Dean's desk. As fas as instead of moving!" But Tom has no- en's desk who passed it up to the Dean day and decided to send the case up, I know, it went through. where to move to. Even the Merchant of Students who passed it up to the and she was notified." Last week some of the kids on my Victoria was asked to come in. She Marines provode only an expectatior Dean of Students who passed it up to floor wrote me and told me that Vic- was wearing rivet-studded brown jeans. toria wasn't back in school this semes- of adventure.no real meaning for Tom. the President. Quietly taking her seat, one of the He can not accept Jim's values- As soon as the new rules were post- ter either. heavy round meeting chairs pulled out "knowledge ... Money ... Power" -but ed, the Blue-Jeans Revolution died. a few feet from the corner of the table, he has clearly broken with the genteel No more armbands or two-legged cur- she crossed her legs and folded her values of his mother. And he leaves in tains. Blue-jeans were defined as "work- hands, elbows resting on the chair's the end of the play, which is all flash- type, especially if faded, frayed, and/or .--..--..--..--....--....--...-- ..--..-- curved arms. With just a hint of a back, only to escape the crippling ef- patched." And the Board was reminded smile, she looked up expectantly. She fect that would inevitably catch up that its responsibility lay in giving nodded as each of the Board members with him, as it has his sister, Laura, in warnings for rule infractions. was introduced, and then dropped her whom the play focuses. FEELING #104 * * * eyes as the chairman read the changes. Laura's limp is symbolic of the I began to catch myself seeing the They laughed again ... Very kindly she explained, "Victor- worst that can happen to those caught, blue-jeans first, then Victoria in them. They laughed at mel ia, we're not here to decide whether or young and unexpectedly, between the She had not been an agitator; rule Why me? not you broke a rule, because obvious- clash of the old and the new. Laura changes meant as much to her as rules. Or better, why not at me? ly you did. We are more concerned at Wingfield is a blue rose, an abnormah- I couldn't make myself give her a Too often, I say the wrong word. this point with your attitude. Because ty. Laura can not face the commercial warning. Not wanting to be a hypo- Too often, I do the wrong thing. attitude is so important, we have this world of typewriters-she becomes sick crite, neither did I warn any other And what I do and say Board of people to make decisions a- to the stomach. Nor can she romanti- blue-jean wearer. brings laughter. bout discipline instead of just a system cize about the past. She had no rom- Once Iwent to visit Victoria, think- ance. She has no future. Laura is an ing maybe we could talk; I could ex- of certain penalties for certain offenses. But must I always be adult fetus, without hope of being born plain things and at the same time do "Did you realize when you wore the the one who makes them laugh? or aborted. In terms of the play, she is my duty. We lived in the same dorm, blue-jeans that you were breaking a Why me the butt aunicorn, which is at best a figment of opposite ends, different floor. Sitting rule?" of someone else's joke? the imagination, at worst a freak of on the bed crosslegged, she looked up "Yes." Must I be hurt? Humiliated? "Do you plan to continue to break nature. The ephemeral sounds of the briefly when I stopped outside the door. Or have I become too touchy, victrola and the delicate glass of the "I was just passing by and thought I'd the rule?" too sensitive a simple soul? "I won't plan to break the rule, but menagerie are not so much the object say Hi." Perhaps ... of Laura's fantasy as they are symbols "Hi." if I get up in the morning and feel of Laura herself. And when Jim crashes The room was neat; the floor was like putting on blue-jeans, I will." So if I make them laugh into this ephemeral world, the result is bare. An army blanket served as bed- "But that's breaking it." by saying, by doing, acruel reminder that a unicorn without spread. Victoria's hair was tamed quite "In my mind I won't be breaking then I must not feel hurt. a horn is a horse, a horse like any other well-a perfect triangle except at the any rules." Rather should I join the humor horses-it loses its identity and point of top where a straight part indented the The chairman was getting exasperat- and laugh tt'ith them. reference. It is nothing, then, a candle points. But a circle of unruly fuzz ed; the kindness had left her voice. Then, all can appreciate She was used to winning word duels. of wit. to be blown out, like a memory to be caught the afternoon sunlight in a yel- the genius my For the moment, the rest of us were forgotten as soon as possible. low halo. only spectators. Leaning toward Vic- Look Back ~ Anger and The Glass "I think we're in Emglish together." Page 8

LOCAL-STOP GREYHOUND behind me a braided cree remembering ... his lines in the foothills in the powder-snow of a brittle cold no steel traps only snare and deadfall killing quickly. they are my brothers he says softly. across the aisle a drunk bragging ... his jail-cell overnighters the yellow vomit in forgotten smalltowns. the cree rises to sit beside him adding his own on this familiar ground. Wally Ouwens

theseus slayed

the empty streets meandered through a misty brain false problems tics a maze of narrow hallways where trains stop reported to me and black holes and closed doors by him who had seen and all stops some milky white moths had broken their bones dead-end

so baffled was i the yellow light drips on red cobblestones ... my and thought sprawl over tell me why the screaming silence crawls up know they not how to fly in the sky the walls of brick and some-body's bones cried i a newspaper scraps across the street he wouldn't reply while electric moons hum so baffled was he by me the shoes clank the mournful beat of dirges being sung mark okkema the empty streets meandered through a misty brain a maze of narrow hallways where trains stop and black holes and closed doors and all stops dead-end

mark okkema

CANNON STAFF EDITORIAL STAFF GENERAL STAFF Sue Meyers Mark Okkema Gary Wondergem Syd Hielema Karl Neerhof Wally Vande Kleut Wayne Farr Becky Maatman Wayne Brower