ABSTRACT
In Clark Stewart's virtually unknown novella, 'Auriana,' everyone upon reaching 50 is forced to spend much of every day (except Monday) in recreational games and contests chosen and organized for them by younger folk. (1) They are picked up in the morning, taken to playing fields or gymnasiums, given equipment and instruction, and brought home by late afternoon. This regimen continues for ten years, after which there is an option to remain in the program on a voluntary basis. Jake Justin, the central character of 'Auriana,' comes to resent and then to rebel against this system of 'compulsory recreation' (CR). Jake constantly finds himself at odds with his wellintentioned 'recreators': when they tell him it is time for karate, he feels like swimming or reading; he gets enthusiastic about cross-country running, but it turns out to be the tri-mester for competitive team sports. 'Reading and cross-country track,' he is told by a District Recreation Supervisor, 'are strictly extracurricular.' Eventually, Jake sees himself as 'a parttime slave,' drafted each morning into athletic training, compelled by law 'to participate in a ten-year long circus.' He asks the Supervisor, 'How is this different from punishing people who haven't committed any crime?'
