Sturm und Drang

There are times when it is clearly evident that my Southern Arkansas Liberal Arts education has failed me miserably. I remember taking a literature class in college, but I don't remember a single work we studied. The only two pieces of literature that have stuck in my brain are Silas Marner and The Scarlet Letter, which I studied in 8th and 11th grades respectively. (sigh) That's pretty appalling.

Tonight I was reading a blogger's post about a back-to-school shopping trip with a teen-aged daughter just entering high school. The trip, she wrote, was accompanied by much "sturm und drang." I didn't know exactly what "sturm und drang" meant, but from the context I concluded it was High Drama from an angst-ridden teenager debating with momma regarding the suitability of school clothing.

I discovered the conventional translation of sturm und drang is "storm and stress" so my conclusion was correct. I also discovered Sturm und Drang is the name of a movement in German literature and music taking place from the late 1760s through the early 1780s. A prime example of Sturm und Drang is The Sorrows of Young Werther, written by Goethe in 1774. I should know who Goethe is and some of his other works, but alas, no, I had no clue. I had to look it up.

Goethe wrote Faust, the classic tale of selling one's soul to the devil. In a brief fit of self-improvement good intentions, I decided I should read Faust to expand my knowledge of classic literature. A quick search on Amazon.com found several editions. One reviewer's note suggested the first-time reader should get someone to explain the story before attempting to read the play. That didn't sound too promising. I needed Bob and Bill.

Bob and Bill were two curmudgeonly bachelor professors whom I had the good fortune to befriend while living in Arkadelphia. Bob used to say that he and Doc were "twin sons of different mothers." If I could turn back the hands of time, I would wade out into the Caddo River, set down a bottle of whiskey between them on the Spades table, and say, "I'll take German Lit for $100 Alec....Goethe's Faust."

I would have gotten a three- to five-hour discourse on Goethe and Faust, with a generous helping of metaphysics thrown in for good measure. That, along with a cut-throat game of Spades and a huge pot of freshly picked green beans in bacon grease, would have made for a very enjoyable evening indeed.

Geez, I miss those guys.

The lively discussion of Faust will have to wait for a while since they have both passed away. But for now I raise my glass in a toast to my two old friends, who together are probably Sturming und Dranging away, much to the chagrin of the neighbors. Wherever you guys ended up, save a place for me at the Spades table. I'll be along shortly (metaphysically speaking) bringing with me some whiskey and beans.

Thanks for the memories.