Of Mice and Men
I FIND in considering this very representative collection of "Modern Humour" in the Everyman series that our humorists have rather a poor regard for people, but a high respect and affection for animals. Take, for instance, Ruth Pitter’s sympathetic portrait of-the kitten, Bogy Baby, dreaming before the fire of future conquests on the rooftops: What mortal dame, what merely mortal she, What strong enchantress could thus honoured sit; What maid could draw her suitors on like me, Sing such a tune and get away with it? What charmer could men’s souls so nearly touch? What nymph, I ask, could do one-half so much? And compare this with the devastating judgment on the human race passed by Sir Walter Raleigh, who from the cloistered quiet of the old universities looked out upon humanity and found it somewhat repulsive. So much he confessed in "The Wishes of an Elderly Man": I wish I loved the Human Race I wish I loved its silly face; I wish I liked the way it walks; I wish I liked the way it talks: And when I’m introduced to one, I wish I thought "What Jolly Fun!" -(Book Talk by John Moffett, 4YA August 28).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19400920.2.11.1
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 65, 20 September 1940, Page 6
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203Of Mice and Men New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 65, 20 September 1940, Page 6
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.