QUESTIONNAIRE
347
to men and motives. But it is no discovery to point that out, and a closer
study of the American democratic tradition would show the necessity of
all this.... I totally disagree with your views on Roosevelt and the war."
Another characteristic "dislike" item is: "its clinging to the rags and
tatters of Marxism."
A number of readers who disagree with the political articles never–
theless seem to find them valuable. "I read the political articles mainly
for the expression of a certain point of view, with which I happen to dis–
agree heartily," writes one. And: "I do not share the political views of
the editors; my own are nearer' those of the
Catlwlic Worker
and Herbert
Agar. But I find the most keen political commentary from the left in your
pages.... And I much like the fashion in which, while keeping its edi–
torial policy clear, you include the work of non-Marxists like Eliot, Tate,
Zabel and Katherine Anne Porter.''
5.
What do readers like and dislike about the magazine
in general?
As is perhaps natural, the replies here leaned heavily to the favorable
side. Although only
ll
readers left the "like" space blank,
36
failed to
fill out the "dislike" space. It is, of course, impossible to classify statis–
tically the great variety of reactions. Some typical replies may
~e
set
down here as a basis for generalization.
First, for the "like" statements:
"the fact that it tries to be intelligent"
"I
like PR because it is so often unsatisfied."
"the feeling of intensity, no nonsense or amateurishness, about the
magazine"
"its refusal to talk down to its readers-its writers take for granted
that said readers might have brains too (unlike liberal mags here)"
"permits disagreements without smothering it during gestation''
"because it is the only publication in America that has any seriousness
in
its writing"
"its lack of prejudice--or perhaps more precisely, its particular brand
of prejudice"
"Most of all, I like the way PR provides an opportunity for serious
discussion of serious subjects, without becoming excessively academic."
"the length of the articles: they give a writer enough space to stretch
his mind"
"I like PR because it is one of the few magazines that discusses things
I
am
interested in, and because it occasionally publishes a piece of very
good writing."
Now for the "dislike" side:
"editorial dogmatism ... sometimes a trifle 'arty' ''
"its attitude of beating a drum, and the lack of any attempt to present
