In Kesey’s story, the recalcitrant asylum inmate, McMurphy, is hardly an avatar of Jesus, yet he leads twelve inmate "disciples" down to the sea, and, at the end, we see him lobotomized, fastened down on a Gurney in a position suggesting crucifixion. In The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane shows us a dying soldier, terribly wounded in the side. As to his name, we have only his initials – J.C. Faulkner, to return briefly to Light in August, provides us with a protagonist who is outcast and, in many respects, immolated. He was born on Christmas Day and is so named Joe Christmas.

Symbolic names are more frequent then than we might have imagined, if not also less frequent than we could imagine. Good readers would do well to be alert, to ask "Why is Camus’ protagonist in The Stranger named Meursault, which means "Death leap"? On the one hand may be making too much of a coincidence; on the other, the author may be really trying to help us along to an understanding of the story. Perhaps the most poignant example of naming is in a novel in which the main character’s name is never given, for no one in his story ever sees him as a human individual, the person he is – Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.

In any case I would encourage readers to follow the advice of a Master, Henry James: "Be one of those upon whom nothing is lost."

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Although this is the last of Art’s series on "Names" he has promised to continue with a series on the genealogy of our language, a highly appropriate topic for the ESU - so stay tuned!

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National has informed us our membership from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002 increased by 61% (in the past we have referred to the year starting in November because that was the month, in 2000, when the Branch was "reborn.") This was the largest percentage increase of any Branch in the country last year. Although we have 15 new memberships this year, our total membership has only increased by two. We hope to rectify this situation as soon as possible!

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The Holiday Party, kindly hosted by Jan Stewart, was enjoyed by all. There was plenty to drink and mainly delicious home-made goodies to eat. We enjoyed a sing-along to music provided by Geneva Cook (keyboard), a reading of the poem "Albert and the Lion" by Phil Slater with contrived north country dialect, followed by some of Churchill’s light-hearted witticisms. Art Kay read Hamlet’s "Soliloquy" from the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and, from Don Marquis and the cockroach-poet, Archie, Pete the Parrot’s reminiscences of Shakespeare and Jonson at the Mermaid Tavern.  Virginia Hill then read "Cajun Night Before Christmas" by Troschair (a pseudonym) to the amusement of all.

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BURBANK, Calif. – Kerry Demers, a ninth, eleventh and twelfth grade teacher in literature and humanities at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz., has been selected a Disney’s American Teacher Awards honoree for 2002. Demers is one of 32 teachers selected from more than 185,000 nominees. Demers will be flown to Los Angeles with other outstanding teachers from across the country, who collectively will be receiving awards totaling $515,000, and who will be honored for their talents, skills and commitment to their profession in July 2003.

"Our nation’s teachers and their creativity are an integral component making a positive impact on our nation’s future," said Michael D. Eisner, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.  "Disney’s American Teacher Awards is one way to recognize those whose dedication and devotion educate and help shape our nation’s children. Kerry Demers exemplifies the best of the best. It is our honor to honor her and all the other teachers who do so much for so many."