University of Virginia Library

Myopic Review

It is generally true of myopia
that the sufferer can determine
basic forms and colors but without
the precision and clarity that make
for full perception. This was also
true of Steve Wells' appraisal of
"Last Summer" on November 18,
1969 in The Cavalier Daily. Mr.
Wells did know the correct names
of the characters, the basic plot line,
the title and did react favorably to
the film, but his understanding of
the film left doubt as to whether he
was discussing "Last Summer" or
some other film.

"Last Summer" concerns three
Innocent teenagers that are products
of their parents world. They
are disillusioned and distressed by
what they see around them, thus
they join together in reaction to the
adult world and in a desire to
change it for the better. Their
motives are good, honest, and
wholly out of concern. They attack
adult society and its institutions
but in their virginal zeal disregard
the importance of the individual.

Sandy's efforts to save the
seagull from death are motivated by
compassion and goodwill but after
she performs her service she insists
on harnessing the gull, thus depriving
it of its individuality. When the
bird resists this unnatural desire,
Sandy mistakes this for ingratitude
and destroys it.

Thus, in making a valid attack
against computerization, Sandy,
Dan, and Peter (in that order)
disregard the possible effects on the
individual, here Animal. They fail to
see, despite Rhoda's warnings, that
while not everyone is aware of the
evil or danger in impersonalization
this does not necessarily make him
any less valuable than they as a
person. Consequently, they attack
impersonalization at the expense of
an individual personality.

Finally, Sandy, Dan, and Peter
attempt to reform Rhoda who
represents conservative, Middle
America by teaching her to swim,
but become vexed with her wary
approach. They do not comprehend
the cause of her caution or at most
do not think the cause important.
They take advantage of Rhoda's
desire to belong to prod her, but
when she does not do exactly as
they wish they impatiently and
savagely flail at Rhoda and destroy
what chance she has of becoming a
free spirit like themselves.

"Last Summer" is not an acrimonious
comment to the over
thirty set saying. "Look at what
you have done!" as Mr. Wells would
have it, but rather a distressing and
opposite warning to the younger
generation that zeal untempered by
understanding and true love can
lead to modern cannibalism.