A Rare "Good Thing" About GSU

Hi folks.

I've been around GSU for a LONG time (too long, actually, if you ask my dissertation advisor, but I digress). I frequently give the guys in the big offices a rough time. Simply put, attending classes here, and dealing with the many many levels of bureaucracy, would make even the Buddha pull his hair out. But there are a few hidden "good things" hidden around campus that we have to seek out. They don't tell everyone about them.

Here's on the I've found. If you walk through the front door of the College of Education and look to your right, you'll find an entire rack of daily New York Times newspapers, for free! I pick one up each afternoon on my way home. So if you're up that way, and want to read the nation's "Paper of Record," pick one up! You're paying for it in one way or another.

With that in mind, here's yesterday's best headline from the business section: "Circuits: The Universe in Peril, Again. The Halo 3 story line comes down to this: a lot of things get in your way and you kill them."

Have a great weekend. We'll start The Good Woman of Setzuan on Tuesday.

Little Red Riding Hood

Remember for these blog entries to write a THOROUGH response to the question, not just a short answer!

** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?

** What are the differences between the Perrault version of the story and the Grimm Brothers's (think beyond the superficial!)

** Explain some of the symbolism of "Little Red Riding Hood" (e.g. the colour red, the hood, the wolf, etc.)

** Describe the Apollonian and Dionysian impulses in "Little Red Riding Hood."

First prompts for The Birth of Tragedy

** On Page 8, Nietzsche claims that "The Greeks knew and felt the terror and horror of existence. That he might endure the this terror at all, he had to interpose between himself and life the radiant dream-birth of the Olympians." Discuss this, paying special attention to the role of Apollo, the God of dreams.

** What is the relationship between Dionysus and pain, grief, and suffering?

** Nietzsche claims that Euripides (the author of "The Bacchae") is the "murderer of Greek tragedy." Explian.

** How is the Socratic dialogue a new type of art. Is it a replacement for tragedy? Is it better or worse than tragedy?

Blog Prompts for The Wicker Man

**Beware, below be spoilers***

* Mrs. Morrison says "Oh Sergeant, you'll never understand the true meaning of sacrifice." What does she mean?

* Why is Sgt. Howie the perfect sacrifice?

* What is the significance of the names? (e.g. Sgt. Howie notes the names Rachel and Benjamin in the churchyard. The caretaker notes that they were "quite old." The younger girls are named "Rowan," "Willow," and "Myrtle").

* What are the similarities between "The Wicker Man" and "The Bacchae?"

* How does Sgt. Howie resemble Pentheus?

The Wicker Man

Next Tuesday and Thursday we'll watch The Wicker Man, a 1973 Horror film starring Christopher Lee. The movie, arguably, demonstrates the clash of Apollonian law, order, and authority, with Dionysian chaos and release. The film is very much a product of the 1970s (lots of hippies, who frequently break out into song) but I think it holds up well. Come with an open mind :)

If you're traveling in Scotland next year, consider the Wickerman Festival!

Also, please use this opportunity to do a good, thorough reading of The Birth of Tragedy. Have a great weekend!

First Blog Response

Reply to this posting, and discuss one of the following:

**What Apollonian aspects does Pentheus demonstrate?

**What are the Apollonian/Dionysian conflicts in The Bacchae

**Dionysus appears as a vengeful, angry god in The Bacchae, why would his cult have been attractive to the ancient Greeks?

-- or --

Create your own topic. Discuss!

Recommended Editions

If you'd like, you can click through and order the upcoming texts directly from Amazon.com ...

No blog entry this weekend

Don't worry about writing a blog entry this weekend. Rather, enjoy the long weekend, and remember that we will NOT have class on Monday. Make sure you find a copy of The Bacchae this weekend, and read the introduction. If you cannot find the particular version I've picked out, then get one from a local bookstore. Remember that it should be filed under Euripides.

On an unrelated note, I've gotten the first two discs of the first season of Heroes, so I may be occupied for a while.

Enjoy your weekend.