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FOREWORD
The Irish, to an extent that no other people equals, have throughout their history displayed a remarkable combination of two qualities: excitement and poetry. Dramatic — often melodramatic— events are constantly occurring in Ireland ; and while they are happening and certainly as soon as they are over, the vivid imagination of the Celt covers them with a glittering and beautiful patina of romance.
No Irish writer need, therefore, go beyond the bounds of his own land to find highly adequate material. Conflict, sacrifice, tragedy, comedy, human values of all kinds, these lie ready to hand ; and for characters he can find everywhere a multitude of men who by nature hit hard and talk beautifully. Patriotic Ireland has recently brought about a rebirth of the ancient Gaelic spoken for centuries in Ireland, but nowhere in the English-speaking world is English speech so vigorous, so melodious, so rich in the idioms that make good poetry and drama as it still is in Ireland.
Sean O'Casey is one of the latest of Irish playwrights to bear witness to the richness of his heritage and to the strength of the Celtic Renaissance. Born in 1884, he was for many years a common laborer who educated himself; he was fifteen before he learned to read and write. He insists, in fact, that education is a hindrance to a dramatist, especially education in formal dramatic technique. He was, however, an ardent playgoer, and in time submitted manuscript after manuscript to the directors of the Abbey Theater, Dublin. At last he succeeded in winning a production; and his successive plays have interpreted the lamentable recent wars in Ireland with striking success.
Dr. Law, in dealing with the photoplay based on THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS, has experimented with a Guide largely in the form of a catechism. Teachers will undoubtedly find his suggestions eminently practical as they discuss with students this thrilling and romantic production.
MAX J. HERZBERG
Weequahic High School, Neiuark, N. J.