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Sir: As a graduate of a Jesuit institution like the College of Holy Cross, I should be interested to learn how the two young men (Mr. George E. Engdahl Jr. and Mr. Robert M. Conway) have fared since they dared to write -and have published -a letter [Dec. 2] correctly stating that the stand of the Roman Catholic Church is "narrow-minded, archaic," etc., rebirth control. Their correct appraisal is equaled only by their outright courage -for I can recall the day when to voice, much less to publish, a critique of the church, by a student within one of its institutions, was to have culminated in immediate expulsion -preceded by a dictated letter of recantation. Either the church has indeed changed, or these individuals are now seeking academic pursuits elsewhere.
THOMAS M. EDWARDS San Francisco
» Doing very nicely, without a word from anyone in authority.
Song of the Catbird
Sir: TIME'S assessment of Yevtushenko as a poet [Dec. 2] agrees with mine: no nightingale. Perhaps catbird or magpie.
But TIME'S critic must know that Herbert Marshall's translation (especially his "dud rhymes -'trees-industries,' 'linger-lingo,' 'see-literacy' ") is a successful attempt to re-create the Russian poet's technique. While this type of rhyme is not even considered rhyme in our English tradition, Russians make use of it. And, especially with Yevtushenko and other modern poets, it is such a special feature that it cannot be ignored in the translation of their poems. Rhymes such as "micropore-Metro-pole" and "Perlovke-perlone" are duds directly from Yevgeny himself.
MERRILL SPARKS Los Angeles
Rocks from the Cradle
Sir: I'm writing you about your article on Walt Disney's The Fighting Prince of Donegal [Dec. 2]. This article said that for children it's supposed to be dull. I think the movie was wonderful. It was my favorite movie, same with my sisters. I'd love to see it again. It's not a dull stew! My sisters are Julie, 7, and Diane, 9.
LAURIE WECHTER, AGE 10 Kalamazoo, Mich.