Emerson’s First Step to Successful Living

Posted by Tom Fasano on December 15, 2008 – 10:37 am

DEVELOP SELF-RELIANCE

 

Be Who You Really Are

I will so trust that what is deep is holy, that I will do strongly before the sun and moon whatever inly rejoices me, and the heart appoints.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

Fear, Fear, and More Fear

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

Approval Seeking: Our Psychic Plague

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

Conformity—the Roadblock to Self-Reliance

You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

The Danger of “Reactive” Nonconformity

Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to that or this; the only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong what is against it.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

Conformity Drains Power

He who knows that power is inborn, that he is weak because he has looked for good out of him and elsewhere, and so perceiving, throws himself unhesitatingly on his thought, instantly rights himself, stands in the erect position, commands his limbs, works miracles.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

Free at Last

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

Society’s Resistance to Self-Reliance

It is easy to see that a greater self-reliance must work a revolution in all the offices and relations of men; in their religion; in their education; in their pursuits; their modes of living; their association; in their property; in their speculative views.
—“Self-Reliance”

 

One Step at a Time

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.
—“Self-Reliance”


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Dead Poets Society Review Questions

Posted by Tom Fasano on December 11, 2008 – 9:16 am

1. In the space below, create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Welton Academy with your school.

2. What, if anything, is missing from the boys’ education at Welton? What do you feel is overemphasised?

3. Look at Keating’s first two lessons. Why are the boys so readily on-side with Keating? Is this believable? Who leads their cause? Why? (Consider the kinds of lessons the boys are used to).

4. Outline Keating’s philosophy of life.

5. At the first re-convening of the Dead Poets Society Neil reads a Tennyson poem that ends with the line: “To strive, to seek and not to yield.”
Explain how these words prove to be ironic as far as Neil is concerned.

6. Contrast Charlie’s action near the end of the film (when the boys are pressured to betray Keating and each other) with those of Knox and Todd.

7. What is the point of the following exchange between Cameron and Mr Nolan in the final scene of the film?

Cameron: …we’ve covered the romantics, and some of the chapters on post-civil war literature.
Nolan: What about the realists?
Cameron: I believe we skipped most of that, Sir.

8. Complete these sentences in a way that sums up for you the theme of this film:
(a) This film is about…
(b) The film-maker’s view is that people should…
(c) He believes that people can… And that people should not…

9. To what extent is this influence (Keating’s) on adolescents dangerous? (Remember Keating’s admonition to Charlie / Nuanda about being stupid?)

10. What justifications can you find for the repressive attitude of the school towards its pupils?

11. How much parental involvement is healthy in a child or teen’s life?

12. Have you ever felt pressure from your parents? Explain.

13. In your opinion, why isn’t something done to save Keating’s job?

14. In an essay of at least two paragraphs (separate sheet), answer the following questions: What are the three most important functions of a high school education? How well do you think Buena Park High School fulfils these purposes?


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List of Poems Used in Dead Poets Society

Posted by Tom Fasano on December 7, 2008 – 9:23 pm

Dead Poets

Scene from Dead Poets Society starring Robin Williams.

The title of the movie comes from T. S. Eliot’s Tradition and the Individual Talent.

“No poet, no artist of any art, has his complete meaning alone. His significance, his appreciation is the appreciation of his relation to the dead poets and artists.”

Here are the poems in order of appearance.

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Posted in Movies, Poetry | 2 Comments »

John Adams and Emily Dickinson

Posted by Tom Fasano on December 4, 2008 – 11:28 pm

John Adams

John Adams

John Adams is one of the world’s greatest living composers, and one of my favorite compositions of his is Harmonium, his settings of texts by John Donne (“Negative Love”) and Emily Dickinson (“Because I Could Not Stop For Death” & “Wild Nights” ) for chorus and full orchestra. What follows is an audio interview with John Adams on KQED, in which he discusses Harmonium as well as the growth of what has come to be known as Minimalist music. On a personal note, Harmonium was my introduction to John Adams. I have a very fond memory of listening to this piece while driving out into the countryside north of Tampa, Florida. This must’ve been 1990-91. Wherever I was headed has faded from memory, but this music has stayed with me. That’s for sure.


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