Word: moral
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...which contemporaries considered a far greater achievement than Robinson Crusoe, was largely filled with dull political and economic arguments, but it did introduce the first gossip column, the first society news and first advice to the lovelorn in English-language journalism. Like Dorothy Dix, Editor Defoe spun many a moral sermon in order to get a confessional letter into print. Sample from his "Advice from the Scandal Club" column: "Gentlemen ... I desire your advice in the following Case. I am something in Years, yet have a great Affection for my Neighbour's Wife, and she no less...
Since the geographical intermingling of the two races throughout Palestine makes the creation of two separate kingdoms impossible, the British plan seems the only feasible one. The English are perfectly justified in forcing their solution despite the vehement Hebrew protests. Yet England has a moral obligation to protect those Jews already living in the Holy Land. Not only has the new scheme recognized this intention, but His Majesty's government has gone even further, in giving both races proportional representation in the government of the new state. Although bloody riots will undoubtedly break out between the two races for years...
With such implacable people Playwright Hellman has dealt implacably, exerting against them a moral pressure to match their own immoral strength. Both the Hubbards and their playwright-inquisitor work at a pitch too relentless for real life. But it is the special nature of the theatre to raise emotions to higher power, somewhat simplifying, somewhat exaggerating, but tremendously intensifying. Playwright Hellman makes her plot crouch, coil, dart like a snake; lets her big scenes turn boldly on melodrama. Melodrama has become a word to frighten nice-nelly playwrights with; but, beyond its own power to excite, it can stir...
First requisite of a picture with a moral is that it make its moral seem important. Second is that it make its moral seem :rue. Boy Slaves fails in truth because its bad characters are not human but monstrous. ". . . one-third of a nation" fails in importance because its characters do not seem worth bothering about. And in addition to being inherently feeble, both pictures suffer from amateurish acting, writing and direction...
...author of this how-dy-do was one of the founders of the brash, short-lived Yale Harkness Hoot; at 21 wrote Challenge to Defeat, slapping the face of depression pessimists. In Hannibal Hooker, his first novel, he breezes past all moral and religious stop-signs. He is, in brief, a daring young man, and his agility on literary trapezes is breathtaking. But after his stunts are over, it is not quite clear what all the squirming and leaping were about...