October 28, 2002
"The Professor's House" by Willa Cather: Godfrey St. Peter, history professor and author, has come face to face with the cold, angry maw of change. His daughters, Rosamond and Kathleen, are grown and married, his wife Lillian no longer seems to be the woman he wed, and his career has reached the point of comfort. St. Peter's financial state, not to mention the desires of his wife, command that he move into a new house; something fitting his status. Yet it's only in the cramped, cluttered confines of his old study that the professor finds any semblance of peace.
While the St. Peters have settled into their new home, Godfrey insists on renting their old house for another year under the guise of it being critical to the completion of his latest book. He returns to his old study each day to work, although very little writing gets done. The professor instead spends the time reflecting on his life. These thoughts often return to his prize pupil, Tom Outland, whose charm, intelligence, and charisma made him a uniquely memorable individual.
Outland, who is already dead when the book begins, arrived at the professor's doorstep in search of an education as a bright young man with a mysterious past full of adventure and colorful stories. He was quickly taken into the family and excelled at learning, showing remarkable ability in the scientific fields. Young Outland worked tirelessly, pursuing grand inventions not to mention a relationship with the professor's elder daughter, Rosamond. The two were engaged to be married only to have their plans for wedded bliss dashed when Outland enlisted in the foreign legion and was killed on the battlefields of World War One.
Aside from a grieving lover and friends, Outland also left behind his inventions which he willed to Rosamond. One invention in particular, an aviation engine, generates enormous wealth thanks to the marketing skills of the opportunistic Louie Marsellus, who sweeps in and not only makes a fortune from Outland's toil but also absconds with the dead man's fiancee.
The specter of Tom Outland, including the money created by his name, drapes the professor's life in regret and self-doubt. Not only does Rosamond and Louie's fortune create internal conflicts within the family, it changes the way others view the St. Peters. But the professor's intense introspection regarding Outland reveals more personal struggles; seeing in Outland what he, himself, was as a youth and the promise he once held. It also makes him realize how different his life is from what he intended. St. Peter begins to question whether or not he has the strength to continue.
Ms. Cather presents "The Professor's House" in three sections. The first introduces the St. Peter family and all the significant players, the second goes back in time as Outland relates the story of his past to the professor, and the third bares clean the professor's soul. This structure, particularly splicing Outland's story into the middle of things, elevates Outland in the mind of the reader and makes the general story far more interesting.
It's been stated on the pages of this very site many times before, but everything Ms. Cather does flows with tremendous ease. Nothing is ever forced or contrived. The tale itself lacks the weight of true greatness, it won't change how one thinks or alter perception, but it's another fine example of Willa Cather's skill as a woman of letters.
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"Gertrude" by Hermann Hesse: The source of art is pain.
And what pain can surpass that of unrequited love?
Kuhn has never had much luck with the ladies. A musical chap with dreams of becoming a violinist, his life was irrecoverably changed during one failed attempt at impressing a lovely lass. Kuhn took an ill-advised toboggan ride that resulted in a crippled leg. Although the injury stole his freedom of movement, the time spent alone while recuperating gave the young man a new outlook on life and strengthened his resolve to be a musician. See, even when they go sour, toboggan rides are always real wizard.
Kuhn does, indeed, become a modest violinist, but his real talent is as a composer. He writes a few songs of note and catches the eye of Muoth, a singer of renown not only for his voice but for his affairs with women. Despite his outward confidence, Muoth is an insecure man searching for understanding. In Kuhn's humble, shy nature, Muoth sees someone that could help him or at least someone that he could help and in turn validate his worth. The two strike a rather unexpected friendship.
With Muoth aiding his professional advancement, Kuhn's heart begins to soar as well upon meeting Gertrude, the daughter of a chance acquaintance. Kuhn and Gertrude are brought together by music, with Kuhn's visits to her house centering around his accompanying her singing. Kuhn is madly in love from the start. Gertrude gives signs of feeling the same. Their innocent flirtations never progress beyond one gentle kiss. When Kuhn proclaims his love for her, Gertrude doesn't return the favor. She informs him that she would prefer to keep things as they are for the time being. Kuhn, broken but not beaten, doesn't force the issue. His love for her would never change. He would be ready when she was.
Kuhn's energy finds another release in the writing of an opera. Gertrude collaborates with him and the work keeps them together. The opera's lead is perfect for Muoth. He soon joins them, practicing his part with Gertrude. Three guesses what happens next.
Aside from the glory of unrequited love, "Gertrude" also deals with depression, loneliness, and small amounts of philosophy. It even offers doing things for other people as the cure for intense feelings of isolation; achieving maturity through thinking of others and not dwelling on the failures of one's self. Sacrifice over egoism.
While it would seem to have everything 70 Proof holds dear, there's just that little something extra missing from "Gertrude" that keeps it from being on par with Mr. Hesse's other great works. It takes a little too long getting to the matters of importance, and could be stripped of some needless distractions. It's like when you really want a drink. You could care less what the bottle looks like, just pour the gin. Get to the gin.
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