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Show My Thoughts Are Not Still 279 This "heavy" reading was accompanied, as had been true since she could read, with excursions into the broad range of English and American literature, and occasional forays into translated works of Greek, Roman, French, Slavic, German, Italian, Scandinavian, and Gaelic literature. Her letters and diaries have stunning references to little-known names and works-Thomas Lodge, Jean Ingelow, Paidric Colum, as well as to the better known works and figures. And yet, despite her remarkable knowledge of English and American and world lit erature, those who knew Madelyn were impressed with her interest in people-mechanics, secretaries, homemakers, stu dents, bankers, maids, and streetcar riders. Everyone thought she was their special friend, the one who truly understood and loved them. As enthralled as she was with reading, Madelyn was equally entertained one evening in 1959 by her "Aunt" Sarah Scott, in her middle seventies, who took her golden-age harmonica and guitarist group to serenade recovering Madelyn at the home of her daughter, Judith Poulsen. They gave a con cert that Madelyn reported exhibited "A zest for life, and joy and good cheer How much happiness she has brought to all .... of us." 14 Very bright, and an intensive reader himself, Madelyn's youngest son Brian engaged in many discussions with her, as they traveled, ate together, and spent evenings in the absence of other family members. He was very bright and absorbed knowl edge quickly. Impressed with his interest in literature, Madelyn gave him a copy of Black Boy by Richard Wright. An African American novelist and social critic and author of the celebrated Native Son (1940), Wright was acclaimed as the finest black writer in America. In Black Boy, Wright recounted his bitter childhood in the South; the book was a compelling documenta tion of the struggle of an artistic person for and achieve identity Perhaps Madelyn felt a kinship with this person with lit erary talents who was contending against social constraints to do his writing. At the scholastic awards assembly at Denver's East High in May 1960, Madelyn proudly witnessed the awards given to ment. Brian. She wrote: |
