William Gaddis - The Letters of William Gaddis

And now the best news: I have gotten out of that time wasting french class — I was really getting nothing out of it that [I] hadn’t had already, and the only reason for taking it was language requirement for a degree. So, after much trouble, I got admitted to English 3b, the ‘form of the drama, from Lope de Vega to Odets,’ and am effervescent with delight! It is quite late to be starting a course (they all started when I came back—1st of feb), it is essentially an upperclass course, and there is a rule that no freshman may take more than two courses on the same subject, but I made it; now to try to get through it. I have had to get new books for it, and charged them at the Coop, and so dont know what this next bill will be, but it isn’t necessary to pay it; I have got all I need there and it can go until convenient. And so here I am, three English courses and one in psychology! Perfect. And what with the room furnished I enjoy staying at home and studying such stuff instead of going off as last half. However we do have fun; a new game called ‘International Spy,’ (sound like 4 year-olds?); we have two rival spy rings, Charlie S — and myself, and the other is Gardiner and Callahan; we try to outwit each other at any opportunity. A few nights ago they locked us in their bathroom, and we had to climb out the window and in someone else’s bathroom window (only 2nd floor) to escape. So now we call them ‘junior spys’ (Callahan is 190 lbs, Gardiner 180) and they do not like it. And so we go!

Say before I forget, please send me a sheet or two; I only had three and two of them have worn through and torn. Mrs Trask (our biddie) told me to be sure to see about it.

Tell Jim that I wish him luck — he certainly did get it in the neck! And that I hope any arrangement works out.

Well, back to reading ‘dramas,’ and an hour exam in psyc friday, and a three thousand word paper for english A, and a conclusion to compose (about 700 words) for Coleridges (assinine) poem ‘Christabel.’

Love

Bill

I forgot to tell you about the best bargain. there is a book i have been wanting — poetic drama is the name of it, a $5 book — beautiful thing, poetic drama from the greeks to edna st v — millay. i went to a book store where it had been marked down, gave them my french texts, and got the book for $1! isnt that grand?!

written Thursday — now am mailing it Saturday — have been busy — Jim Osborne showed up — will write again—

Sylvia Sidney in Pygmalion : American film and stage actress (1910–99); Pygmalion (1913) is one of George Bernard Shaw’s most popular plays.

‘Christabel’: a Gothic ballad composed 1797–1800, but not published until 1816.

poetic drama: Poetic Drama: An Anthology of Plays in Verse from the Ancient Greek to Modern American , ed. Alfred Kreymborg (Modern Age Books, 1941). edna st v — millay: American poet and dramatist (1892–1950).

To Edith Gaddis

Cambridge, Massachusetts

[17 March 1943]

Dear Mother.

Just a letter between plays — what a race this is. Hour exams this past week, and just out of Stillman. What work — enough to have to make up the regular work for the exams — but this English course — just reading play after play day and night. I am in the Restoration drama and the class doing Chekov! The exam is Thursday. I can’t get any of the notes from the lectures; I have missed just half the course! — between getting in late and then the measles just did it. The man who gives the course is Theodore Spenser! Really a person —and a grand one too. I don’t know how I’ll come out in the exam and the course, but I’m enjoying it immensely and he is really a top man as you know. His lectures are wonderful and I regret having missed the ones I have. But we’re getting into modern work now which is really going to be interesting.

I am going to have to write 4000 words and chose O’Neill when we study him in a week or two. Would it be too much to ask for you to send my copies up? I would appreciate it.

There is one book I need— Masters of the Drama —Gassner — for this course and would have helped in the exam but couldn’t get it at that @!?// Coop — they could ‘order’ it for me — a week later — but Gardiner hasn’t had a check recently! — and I owe him $5 anyhow — oh I got the shoes—$3 but handsome —practically new.

Also thanks for the ration books — and Mrs. Trask and I both send thanks for the sheets!

Love

Bill

Theodore Spenser: Spencer (1902–49) taught at Harvard from 1927 until his death. He also published fiction, poetry, and edited James Joyce’s Stephen Hero (1944).

O’Neill […] my copies: WG mentions buying O’Neill’s sea plays in his letter of 8 August 1942.

Masters of the Drama : a historical overview by John Gassner (1940).

To Edith Gaddis

[ First mention of the Harvard Lampoon , the well-known undergraduate humor magazine founded in 1876. WG’s first contribution appeared in the 1 October 1943 issue; he became its president in spring 1944, and published over 60 items (poems, stories, reviews, essays, cartoons, jokes) there by the time he left Harvard in January 1945. ]

Cambridge, Massachusetts

[18 April 1943]

Dear Mother.

[…] George just left today — came up and stayed on Friday and Thursday night and we had a fine time — went to see Cry Havoc in Boston, which was all right but nothing special.

And speaking of ‘drama’—guess who is property man for Harvard Dramatic Club—?! They are putting a play on in about 3 weeks, and I got the job — no great position but contacts and experience!

And Kibby Home — a fellow I know on the Lampoon —has told me to come on down and try it — that I stand a good chance! — things really developing! […]

Well must get back to work — a 4000 word paper in attempt at psychoanalysis of some of Eugene O’Neill’s more serious plays—! and not much time with play rehearsals every night (I have been reading the part of a spinster for the last week — I hope one shows up!)—

Love

Bill

Cry Havoc : a 1943 film with an all-woman cast about nurses during warfare.

To Edith Gaddis

Cambridge, Massachusetts

[22 July 1943]

Dear Mom—

Sorry I haven’t written. John Snow has been up here for a week and just left about an hour ago. I haven’t got too much work done (have kept up, reading plays for Spencer and learning lines from Shakespeare) etc. — but I have plenty of psychology to do for tomorrow.

Thru John I got to know Mac Osburne — president of Lampoon (and of A — D—Club) — he’s a fine fellow as I had heard — urges me to come down and try out so I must think up something witty to write. Looks like I do have a chance! […]

Love

Bill