Occupying higher ground

In an age before the conversion promised by YouTube talks on self-esteem, E.B. White remained shy and avoided crowds and presentations. Outside of The New Yorker essays, he is the White of the 43-page writing style manual, Strunk & White, the White who created the dashing mouse with a first and last name, Stuart Little, and the White who loved Thoreau. His words opened a democratic space and invited reflection. One example: We tend to think of peace as “Nothing Bad happening” but peace must be “Something Good happening.” Standing beside White, we sense a clarity and a particular ecstasy. The view is better.