tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11612519189481916302024-03-13T14:15:18.558-06:00PubliusPublius was the pen name of the three authors who wrote the Federalist Papers; James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Their purpose was to influence the state of New York to ratify the Constitution. My purpose in this blog is to influence women to be better wives, mothers, sisters and daughters and influence men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers and sons and to finally influence all of us to ratify the laws of God and live them.jgreenmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808404791641575054noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-44830517646949197832018-09-18T13:53:00.002-06:002018-09-18T13:55:00.604-06:00MDM Academy<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I have been in heaven the past couple of weeks as I have embarked on an educational journey with the Mission-Driven Mom Academy (MDM). At first, I wondered if I really had any time to even add something else to my life, but it feels like I have not added anything except purpose, light, and understanding. I feel as if my personal scripture study has been enhanced, my parenting improved, my job as youth mentor enriched, etc. This program has been very influential for me and my role as wife, mother, sister, daughter, teacher, etc.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Right now the program is on sale for 30% off!! Check it out! <a href="https://wt495.isrefer.com/go/mdmacademypage/Portia66/" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Sign up here at the MDM Academy</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1169" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p3vzwnFcyOo/W6FXVhRKYhI/AAAAAAAAI0M/zvgRvQ120gkgnzNn48DpQe0pZKFHhc5SgCLcBGAs/s320/Virtual%2Btour%2Bpic.png" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://wt495.isrefer.com/go/mdmacademypage/Portia66/" target="_blank">Sign up here at the MDM Academy</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-31138902339633444202016-08-30T18:46:00.001-06:002016-08-30T19:01:49.007-06:00Return to Imagination<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "San Francisco", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Today I learned something about Lewis and his fantasy children’s books. I had originally thought he had written The Chronicles of Narnia with the idea to help convert children to Christianity so that they, unlike him, would grow up in the faith. I was wrong. Well, partly wrong. As it turns out, he did not set out with that purpose, but the books themselves eventually evolved to show Christian symbolism. He says, “Some people seem to think that I began by asking myself how I could say something about Christianity to children. . . .This is all out moonshine. I couldn’t write in that way at all. Everything began with images; a faun carrying an umbrella, a queen on a sledge, a magnificent lion. At first, there wasn’t even anything Christian about them; that element pushed itself in of its own accord.” (“Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What’s to Be Said,” 1956) The evolution of a fantasy story to a Christian fantasy story had help from the reader who, bringing with him his worldview of Christ and Christian symbolism, saw divine connections and this idea exploded into many excellent commentaries on the subject.</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Since C.S. Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia not, as so many have supposed, to rekindle the spark of Christianity within the minds of children, what must have been his purpose? Lewis looked at the world around him. Education reform had all but reduced the curriculum to mindless superficial facts and meaningless ideas. Movies had begun to replace the leisurely activity of reading the classic novel. Professor David Whalen of Hillsdale College says that in the movies, especially in the action/adventure type, one explosive event after another entertains a riveted audience until they are numb with overwhelming excitement. Lewis was concerned that the fast-tracked world would overpower the imagination once made vivid by leisurely reading and discussing.</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
One solution to the modern busy-ness was to return to the great books. He said, “Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books.” (Introduction to Athanasius’ On The Incarnation, by C.S. Lewis) There exists a certain texture, atmosphere, quality and character in a classic book that lends to the reader as much excitement as the story itself (Whalen). No other media can transfer these characteristics to the reader.</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Lewis felt that modernity, with its rapid change and endless distractions, created a sort of man-made cocoon for mankind, far away from nature, Godly creation, and Imagination. Thus, he set forth to restore sensitivity to it.</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Imagination, which Lewis thought had gone astray in our modern world, could be described as the default setting of our pre-cognitive skills (Whalen). The dreams, the hopes, the fears all begin within the realm of the imagination. The busy-ness and distraction in our man-made world seem to have upset and crippled the default setting of Imagination. We tend to get stuck in the mundanity and urgency of ordinary things (Whalen).</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
While pondering this, I could not help thinking of our family tradition of backpacking and camping and how much it rejuvenates me. I am sure few would understand why I would want to “be homeless for a week” (a phrase from someone I love), and I am not sure I understand the “why” myself until I am finally up in the mountains and away from the distractions and the noise of our fabricated world. It is there that I re-connect with my soul, reconnect with nature, with God’s creations and with the most basic tenets of life. Out in nature I feel liberated from the addictive superficial diversions and the entrapment of the merely immediate enticements. In the mountains, I am renewed to think of the higher and the highest things.</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Lewis’s hope in writing the Chronicles of Narnia likewise was to restore sensitivity to the imagination, to correct it, and place it where it will instill the "ideal" within the mind and heart once again. In his writing, he returned to the ancient myths and symbols that inspired the imagination for many centuries.</div>
<div style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Thank you, Hillsdale College, for your free online courses and especially thank you for the particular <a href="https://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/cs-lewis/lecture-4?utm_campaign=cslewis&utm_source=hs_automation&utm_medium=email&utm_content=23814417&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--dZdosrkptKPJLAvCnpgV_ABhHjm-wa_vOwu75QEKlHZFilLJFXjEm0sH-Ke5NecARTEp88D2yxrd0GBTfc4za8gFxCw&_hsmi=23814417" target="_blank">course on C.S. Lewis</a>. Once again, I am inspired!</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-11845873819882398432016-08-06T15:25:00.000-06:002016-08-06T15:25:21.991-06:00Thoughts on The Abolition of Man<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Hillsdale College sends out emails about free online classes, which include lectures, readings, and quizzes. I decided to study a course right now along with someone I am mentoring. This course is called <b>An Introduction to C.S. Lewis: Writings and Significance</b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i>“C.S. Lewis was the greatest Christian apologist of the twentieth century. He was also the author of works of fiction, including the Chronicles of Narnia, and of philosophy, including The Abolition of Man. This course will consider Lewis’s apologetics and his fiction, as well as his philosophical and literary writings, and their continuing significance today.”</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I have listened to and watched the first lecture and then listened only to the second. I find that I do not understand all of it unless I listen and then watch and take notes. Something significant to me today was the discussion Lewis has in Men Without Chests (the first chapter in The Abolition of Man) about Reason and Imagination. He talks about an elementary-education literature book, which states that feelings are arbitrary and not essential for education. He tells of a well-known story of Coleridge about two tourists observing a famous waterfall. One called it 'pretty' and one 'sublime.' The authors of the elementary literature book, Gaius and Titius, take a third position and say the tourists are not referring to the waterfall, but to their feelings about it. They argue not about the waterfall being “pretty” or “sublime”, but only say something about the arbitrariness of their feelings. Lewis’s argument is that if you separate reason and imagination, you will eventually cause the abolition of man.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Just as Aristotle believes the Soul and Body are inseparable, Lewis believes Reason and Imagination (emotions, feelings) are inseparable. In essence, Reason is the knowledge of the who, what, where, when, and why of the waterfall and Imagination is the “how I fit into this scenery and who I am in relationship to it” type of knowledge. The waterfall is a creation of our Mighty God and represents magnificence, majesty, and awe. If I were there along with the tourists to witness the beauty of it and recognize it as a sublime gift to me and humanity by a Loving Father, I would feel humble, and lifted. Thus, I would join with the one in calling it sublime. The word 'sublime' describes the high level of respect for the Creator’s gift.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">While reading The Abolition of Man, I remembered a book I started on the recent backpacking trip, called Follow the River. It had come highly recommended to me as an excellent way to learn history and the culture during 1700-America. I started the book and got to page 80, or somewhere near it, I cannot remember. I ended up closing it and not picking it back up because it did not fill my soul. It was not “sublime” to me.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">If I understand Lewis at all I I would say the book was not sublime because of the author’s improper and ignoble tone. The writing expressed base thoughts with little effort to build character and improve relationships. Oft-times, a contention would arise and instead of developing a brilliant and noble dialogue or thought-dialogue to dispel the contention, the author walked away from the opportunity for the characters’ personal growth. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It is true that the author based his fiction on a historical fact of a woman, along with her two young boys, being kidnapped by Indians and her long journey of her escape nine months later. The original story is noble and good and inspiring, but the author modernized and fictionalized the story as an avenue to further the cause of the baser human desires. To make my point without going into sordid detail, the author lingers on the memories of this woman’s sexually intimate experiences with her husband and has her compare his body with that of the Indian chief’s, who continues to stare her down. It is not to say that these things could not have happened, I am merely saying that the author seems to be focusing on these base instincts and desires, rather than on the Good, the True and the Beautiful, or in other words, the Sublime.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">If I were to apply Lewis’ principle of using the right word for the circumstance, I would label the woman in the original story as a woman of great courage, faith, and passion for surviving. In the fictionalized story, I label the woman as low-class, the book as poorly written and neither of them worth spending my time. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The educational effect of using Reason and Imagination is that both together dictates the highest way to live. When our conscience is grounded in the Good, the True and the Beautiful, it is grounded in Christ, who is the Author of all Good, the True and the Beautiful. Anything that is not up to those standards is other than noble and virtuous and will eventually abolish mankind.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-26031088910798054702016-04-29T08:31:00.001-06:002016-04-29T10:23:31.928-06:00Conservatism: Don Quixote's Unreachable VisionI had an epiphany this morning as I was reading Don Quixote, the knight-errant, and the unbending conservative. I was pondering about how stuck he was in his vision of the ideal—being a knight who galavants across the country trying to right all the wrongs. In essence, I see what a beautiful idea that is. Do we not all want to make things right? Of course, we do. However, his major problem was that he was living and believing in a by-gone world that was contradictory to the conventions of his day. The medieval chivalry was long gone. A new era was upon him, and he would not see it, nor bend to it. <br />
<br />
Apart from what God requires me to do (because those divine laws are unchanging and ever-lifting me to better spheres), sometimes I think I too am stuck in my vision of the ideal polity. Am I fighting unbeatable windmills of the future? Some of my windmill-battles are:<br />
<br />
1. I think the constitution is sufficient for our day--let's get back to it!<br />
<br />
2. Abolish the welfare system and take care of our poor and widows as families, communities and churches (like we used to do 100 years ago)<br />
<div>
<br />
3. Do away with big government<br />
<br />
4. Indoctrinate the educational system with ideas of liberty, free-market trade, and Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (all the Great Books for that matter).<br />
<br />
5. Get rid of processed food and sugar--they are poisoning us (that one will repel family and friends--so, I have to be quiet about that!)<br />
<br />
There are much more. I could go on for hours, but I will not bore you all to death. However, the message Don Quixote is trying to teach me has gone deeper today. I wonder if my energies may be better spent on living in my current world and doing the best I can to promote Godly values like Maternal Feminism, family, exemplary living, devotion to my Maker, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, being kind and charitable to everyone. <br />
<br />
The world is going to go the way it is going. There is no doubt about that. The trajectory appears to be in the direction of the downward degenerate slope. I cannot don my conservative armor, attack the windmills and expect any success with my lancing arm. The Man of La Mancha said it best in his classic song,<br />
<br />
To dream the impossible dream<br />
To fight the unbeatable foe<br />
To bear with unbearable sorrow<br />
To run where the brave dare not go<br />
<br />
To right the unrightable wrong<br />
To love pure and chaste from afar<br />
To try when your arms are too weary<br />
To reach the unreachable star<br />
<br />
This is my quest<br />
To follow that star<br />
No matter how hopeless<br />
No matter how far<br />
<br />
To fight for the right<br />
Without question or pause<br />
To be willing to march into Hell<br />
For a heavenly cause<br />
<br />
And I know if I'll only be true <br />
To this glorious quest<br />
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm<br />
When I'm laid to my rest<br />
<br />
And the world will be better for this<br />
That one man, scorned and covered with scars<br />
Still strove with his last ounce of courage<br />
To reach the unreachable star<br />
<br />
Let me instead reach for the reachable stars of godliness and virtue. Let me promote the heavenly cause and go about it in reachable ways. Let me fight the beatable foe and bear the bearable sorrow with the grace of Christ's Atonement. <br />
<br />
Thank you Don Quixote for helping me learn one more lesson today!</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-50506932669363314702016-01-12T10:05:00.002-07:002016-01-26T15:53:32.118-07:00The Aeneid: My Try at Written Narration<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As many of you know, I am trying to implement Charlotte Mason Principles in our homeschool and at our online <a href="http://monarchwebwork.com/" target="_blank">Monarch Webwork school</a>. Well, I thought last week, if I am expecting my children and students to write narrations, then I should do it as well. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What is a written narration, you ask? Simply, it is a written paragraph in your words of any length that summarizes what you have read. Also, it is not open-book or open-notes but should come directly from your head and in your words. It is not an easy task, but as Charlotte Mason says, it will get easier as you practice. </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right now I am reading the Aeneid, by Virgil, and this is my attempt at written narration. I have only read the first ten books so far and thus have only written ten narrations, however, I will post the others here once I finish each. </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Book 1</b></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aeneas, having fought in Troy and witnessed the death and carnage of the bloody Trojan War, including the death of his dear wife, Creusa, escapes his burning city of Ilium and takes the surviving men on twenty ships to found a new home. Fate has it that he will build Lavinium in the land of the Latins. Of his crew, he has son Ascanius and father Anchises. Juno is furious with him, as she is a fan of the Greeks and not of the Trojans. She causes the wind god Aeolus to cause great storms, which take many of Aeneas’ ships far north, possibly destroying them. Aeneas and 7 of the 20 ships crash onto African soil near Carthage. After hunting and spearing seven stags, preparing and cooking them up for the men with his god-like strength, Aeneas goes off to explore the new land. His mother, Venus, disguised as a girl archer, inquires after him. He inquires of where he is, and she recounts the story of Tyre-born Dido and her escape from her tyrant brother. With all her gold and silver and her people, she embarks on her voyage, similar to Aeneas’ and founds a new city, the City of Carthage. Venus then tells Aeneas that his men are safe and coming to Libya’s shores to meet with him soon. Aeneas is empowered to go further into the city to meet this Dido. His mother shrouds him with mist so no Libyan can detect him or his men. With that protection, they venture to explore all of Carthage and notice the “building up of the grand city.” He is inspired and thinks of the founding of his city he will build soon. Aeneas observes his other men having been saved by the storms have arrived and are pleading with Dido for help and protection. She inquires, they tell their story, and she knows of Troy and the war and Aeneas. Surprised at the grand welcome and hospitality shown to his men, he bursts forth from the misty protection and shows himself. Dido is taken aback by his handsomeness and godliness and falls for him and prepares a huge feast and festival for his arrival. Aeneas sends for his son Ascanius back at the shipwreck. T</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f5f6f5; color: black; line-height: 19.32px; white-space: pre-wrap;">o protect Aeneas from Juno, </span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Venus, sends for her other son, Cupid, to disguise himself as Ascanius and come to put love into Dido for Aeneas, ensuring protection for the hero since Juno loves Dido and will not do anything to hurt her by killing her love. The end of Book one is thick with love as Dido drools over him inquiring about his heroic life. It is pretty obvious that he will now in the next book recount the Trojan war. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Book 2</b></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aeneas tells his story to Dido of the last hours of the Trojan War. He tells of a Greek defector, Sinon, who recounts to the Trojans that he has escaped the evil Greeks and wanted to live in Troy. He tells of the great wooden horse the Greeks built to honor the god Minerva for their victory and that the Greeks had all now left for their shores. Some wanted to take the horse into Iliam, into their city and keep it as a gift to their gods. Some were suspicious. It was settled that it would be brought in. The defeated city slept that night in peaceful slumber knowing they were safe from the Greeks, but not realizing the belly of the wooden horse contained nine of the best Greek warriors and the Grecian fleet lay off the shores hidden by a nearby island. All came quietly into the city and at once raided and eventually destroyed all who were left. Meanwhile, Hector approaches Aeneas in a dream to reveal what is happening, and that Aeneas must flee the city. He climbs to the roof of his father’s house to observe the destruction and begins to don his armor to fight. He collects comrades, and they join the battle with fury. The priest of Apollo tells him that Troy is doomed and that it is the very last day for Troy. Aeneas enters battle with his men. A Greek soldier mistakes him and his men for Greeks and quickly become victims to Aeneas, who kill him and the other Greeks to get their Grecian Armor. They don it and disguise themselves as Greeks and fight. In trying to save Cassandra, many of his men die. Only he and two men escape and arrive at Priam’s palace where they continue to battle. The Greeks break down the doors and kill all Trojans inside including King Priam and his household. Aeneas sees his mother, Venus, who warns him to stop battling and get out of the city with his family to save his posterity. He obeys and gathers them together, but his father, Anchises, refuses until they see an omen in the sky—a star shooting down. Anchises knows it is a sign to follow his son. They prepare and run for their lives, but Creusa, Aeneas’ wife, is suddenly missing. Aeneas races to secure his son and father with his men and goes back to save Creusa. Noble are his efforts for the love of his life, but he cannot see her anywhere...until Creusa’s shade appears to him denoting she has been killed and that he should flee rapidly, find a new land and marry a new bride. Upset and broken-hearted, but calm and forward-facing he runs to his son and father. Many refugees have joined the group. They head for the mountains.</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book 3</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-41af81f7-565e-7882-047c-ceeb942c3540"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aeneas builds a fleet and when summer has just begun, heads out to sea with his people. Landing at Thrace, he begins to develop, what he believes is the fated city and offers a sacrifice to the gods. He pulls up some shoots, but blood comes with them. Surprised, he inquires and the voice of Polydorus, Priam’s son, tells him of his bloody death and his burial in that very place. Shoots had grown where all the spears were used to kill him. Aeneas decides that his fated city is elsewhere and embarks again toward Delos. Apollo foretells his fate again and sends him where his Ancient Mother is. Anchises believes it is Crete, and they head there. Once landed, they begin to build, but are overtaken by a devastating plague. When a year is almost complete, they offer sacrifices to the gods and implore Apollo’s oracle where they must go. The prophecy reveals his fate once again and that it is not Crete where they must build, but in Italy. Cassandra had prophesied this clearly, but they did not listen to her (does anyone ever listen to Cassandra? I am reminded of Agamemnon, written by Aeschylus). They sail on and endure a great storm lasting three days and three nights and land in Strophades, where Celaeno and her harpies live. They kill some cattle for a meal and are attacked by the Harpies. They know they must leave, but before escaping, the oldest Harpy, Celaeno, makes a harsh prophecy that the party will get to Italy, but not before they are so hungry they eat their platters. On to Actium they go and celebrate with Trojan games.Then at Buthrotum, they meet Andromache and Helenus, son of Priam. She tells of her misfortunes and they both receive them all with hospitality. Aeneas consults Helenus about the voyage and receives a prophecy that he will know where he is to found his city when he sees a great White Sow but to be weary of the coast of Italy. He is told that he must always and never forget to worship Juno with sacrifices, thinking of her first and always. They sail on and arrive in Italy. Anchises interprets the four white horses as a sign of war or peace. They make an offering to Juno of course then leave to another shore and land near the Cyclops' shore. Here they see an emaciated castaway who was mistakably abandoned by Odysseus. He tells his sad tale and just as the Cyclops approaches they snatch the castaway up and run for the ships. Onward they go and see and then avoid Scylla and Charybdis. They sail around the Sicily and then the winds carry them to Carthage where they are now. And the scene returns to Dido and Aeneas sitting together and learning about each other’s stories. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-41af81f7-565d-495d-7e1f-ec9ad1e8defa"></span><br /></span> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-41af81f7-565d-495d-7e1f-ec9ad1e8defa"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book 4</span></b></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-41af81f7-565d-495d-7e1f-ec9ad1e8defa" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dido is entranced by this foreigner. She asks the advice of her sister, Anna, what she should do. Should she forget her deceased husband and pursue Aeneas or should she not. Anna persuades her it would be the right thing. Dido begins to fall madly in love, “She wanders in a frenzy through her city streets like a wounded doe caught all off guard by a hunter.” They both fall in love and are lost in their love and emotion. They forget about their mission and their fate. All building stops in Carthage. Juno sets a cunning trap as she sees a way to stop Aeneas from founding in Italy. She proposes to Venus that the two marry. Venus sees through the trap and agrees only if the highest Gods agree. Juno plans that when she brings down a storm, they’ll seek shelter in a cave and then “marry them.” The hunt begins, and sure enough, a storm catches them, they seek shelter, and Juno leaves Dido to believe they are married. They completely forget who they are and what they must do in life and are lost in each other’s love and passion. Personified Rumor now ravages the countryside maliciously telling their story until it reaches Dido’s suitor King Iarbus, who prays mightily to Jove about their foolishness and mistaken fate. Jove listens and sends Mercury to the rescue, who wakes Aeneas up with great force toward his grand purpose and who he is in the history of time and what he must do and become and what his progeny must do and become. Aeneas is gravely worried about how to tell Dido, but she knows before he approaches her. She can see the ships preparing to leave, and while upset, she complains of his lack of commitment to her and how ruined she is now. In defense, he tries to soothe her and calm her, but to no avail. She begins to hate him vehemently, prays for vengeance and swears to kill herself. She asks one last favor of Anna that she appeal to Aeneas to wait for the most favorable weather in which to sail and wait for her anger and emotions to calm down. To no avail, Aeneas is set and will go forward. He fears the fates more than he fears Dido. Like Aeneas, she is determined to go ahead and burn herself and all his memories. That will show him, she thinks. She now prays and soon will set fire to the stakes. Aeneas sees her, and his heart is turned once again to her, but Mercury intercedes and reminds him of his purpose. Dido, seeing he will not return to her becomes wickedly vengeful and brings down curses that the two countries will always be at war (Virgil sets the stage for the Punic wars here). Dido kills herself, but not before she puts all the blame on Anna for telling her to fall for Aeneas.Tragic ending!</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book 5</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As they sail away, Aeneas and his men notice the fire, but do not know it is Dido’s body burning. They sense an impending doom. They sail near Sicily near Anchises tomb and decide to land and celebrate him with feasts and competitions. The chapter is full of descriptive contests and happenings centered around Anchises. Aeneas notices a snake appear and take the offering he placed on the altar, and he feels that it is a sign that his father accepted his gifts. Meanwhile, the women are gathered together weeping over Anchises' death and all the hardships they have had to face. They are tired of wandering and want nothing to do with Italy any longer. Juno sends Iris down to entice them to set the ships ablaze to ensure they do not wander any longer but settle here on Sicilian shores. They think it a great idea and work hard to set fire to all of them. The men hear about it, and Ascanius rides on to set the women straight, letting them know of the harm they have done. The Trojans try, but cannot put out the flames. Aeneas prays to Jupiter, who hears and who sends a storm to quench and put out the blazing fires. All the ships are saved, but four. Aeneas is down and wonders if he should abandon his destined purpose, but Nautes suggests he leave some of his company in Sicily and sail on to Italy. In a dream that night, his father, Anchises comes to him and tells him to do what Nautas said, but to first go to the underworld and speak with himself (Anchises) and hear his destiny. Aeneas sets out to build a city and leave it under Acestes’ rule, builds a temple and a priest to care for it, holds a feast for those he is leaving behind and sets sail for Italy. Meanwhile, Venus complains to Neptune about Juno preventing the Trojans from their destiny. Neptune assures her that all will go as fate has planned, but first one life must be lost before they reach Italy. Palinurus is in the lead and Sleep comes to him to tell him to rest and leave vigil, but he refuses and Sleep kicks him out to sea. He is lost, and Aeneas sadly holds a tribute and farewell to him as properly as one can in a situation such as that. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book 6</span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-41af81f7-56da-5a7d-ab74-970e95eb2fa3"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aeneas lands at Cumae and consults the Sibyl, who keeps the gate of the Underworld. She asks him to pray to Apollo to ask permission to enter into the Underworld. He prays and asks for no more than what Fate decrees. The Sibyl prophesies that he and his people will surely make it to Latium, but not before facing some of the greatest trials of war and bloodshed. He states that he can handle this and begs to please go down and meet with his father, Anchises. She tells him the descent is easy, but the ascent is impossible unless Aeneas does two things. He must bury a friend who has polluted his soul and must reach a golden bough and break it off. Only will it break off if he is the selected one of the fates. Aeneas contemplates who the body is that he must bury and discovers it is Misenus, who foolishly challenged Triton to a contest on the trumpet. Aeneas begins to organize the funeral rites for him, and the poet tells the story. Next, Aeneas searches for the golden bough and upon finding it rips it off easily and takes it to the Sybil. Having done both of these tasks, he now can enter into the Underworld with the Sybil. The Poet now invokes the gods to ask permission to tell the story of his journey there. Aeneas is shown Death, Sleep, Disease, Old Age, Dread and Hunger, Poverty and many others. Then, he sees many shades that are forced to wander having never had a proper funeral. Palinurus is one of them and begs to be carried to a safer place, but the Sybil assures him that his body will be recovered and will receive a proper burial and funeral. He is calmed and reassured and leaves them. Charon refuses to take Aeneas across the Styx. However, the Sybil reminds him that this is the Fated Aeneas and that he must do so. She shows Charon the golden bough, and he understands and obeys, taking them across. They reach Limbo, a place for shades of the untimely deaths. Aeneid sees many, but most notably, he sees Tragic Dido, who is still furious with him. He meets her with love, but she will not accept it. He sees his comrades in war, including Deiphobus, Priam’s son and hears his story. Aeneas had searched for his body at the time of death, but could not find it. Deiphobus asks Aeneas why he is in the Underworld but is not allowed to hear the answer as the Sybil moves them onward. Now they come to Tartarus, the place of the wicked and damned souls. She tells of their names and their punishments. It is similar to Dante’s Inferno. Finally, they leave Tartarus and enter into Elysium to seek for Anchises. Aeneas must place the golden bough here to enter in. They meet and embrace and then Anchises shows Aeneas the spirits who have yet to be born and those who will have a second body (reincarnation). These spirits are to become his race and will be heroes. Such names as Romulus and Augustus Caesar, who is stronger than Hercules, according to the poet, and many others who will make Rome a great kingdom. He then warns not to have a civil war and to rule with all his power. One last shade comes into view as he sees Marcellus and his son who will die an early death. Marcellus will be famed in the Second Punic War. Anchises leads his son with stories of glory and tells him of the wars he must wage with the Laurentine peoples and of Latinus’ city and to shun or shoulder each ordeal as he meets it. With this, both the Sibyl and Aeneas leave the Underworld.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Book 7</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-60992b91-5c25-7eec-d41c-c10ea6025e9b"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">Aeneas’ nurse dies and is buried. They sail past the land of Circe and reach the mouth of the Tiber River. The poet invokes the muse and begins to tell the story of Italy and King Latium, whose daughter Lavinia is betrothed to Turnus, but that the Oracles say she is to marry a foreigner--a stranger. Dismayed by the signs, the King seeks out his father, Faunus, who prophesies that she is to marry a foreigner. Meanwhile, Aeneas and his people arrive at Italian shores and make a banquet and feast. Aeneas feels he has finally arrived at the home of his fate. Then he prays, and Jove receives his prayer with happiness. Aeneas sends an embassy to the king and a herald before him. They arrive at the beautiful palace and describe what they see. Latinas welcomes him and his people with open arms and asks from whence they come. Ilioneus answers that they come from Troy by way of Fate and promises no ill will from the Trojans. They offer gifts from Troy and King Priam. The king tells Aeneas of the Oracle and gives his daughter to Aeneas, as he is the proper husband for her, according to the prophecies. Juno discovers that Aeneas has arrived on Italian shores and is livid. She rouses the powers of Hell to exact a heavy toll of bloodshed on the Trojans before the Alliance is created. Quickly, Juno flies to the Underworld to wake Allecto and with fiery words, explains all her fury and commands that Allecto tempt key people to start the war. She obeys and visits Amata, the mother of Lavinia, to tempt her about the marriage between Lavinia and Turnus. Amata falls into a frenzy and rouses the women of Latium to join her. Next, she works on Turnus from a deep sleep, but he mocks her profusely. She changes her disguise and sends to fiery serpents upon him and riles him up for war. Following this, Allecto turns toward Iulus (Ascanius), Aeneas’ son, whose hunting dogs find Sylvia’s pet stag and Iulus, not realizing the stag is a pet, shoots it down and kills it, which suddenly upsets her and the town. War is about to break out. Allecto sounds the war cry and then returns to the heavens to report to Juno that she has completed the tasks given her. Juno sends her back to the Underworld. Turnus moves toward Latium and is ready for battle, and the people are ready for action and approach King Latinus to approve the fight. He stands firm and will not. They beg him to open the gate, which is customary for the commencements of battles, but he refuses and prophesies that the people will pay dearly for their outrage and puts the blame on Turnus, with a warning that he will have a dreadful end. Then, King Latinus locks himself into his palace. Juno intervenes and opens the gate for the people. The battle begins. The poet then invokes the Muse once again. Virgil now goes through the catalog of Italian heroes, including Mezentius, who is the epitome of the uncivilized, barbaric type in Italy and ends with the story of Camilla.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book 8</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turnus begins this book with a battle cry to begin. Meanwhile, in his sleep, Old Tiber, visits Aeneas and tells him how happy he is that Aeneas has finally arrived, they had been waiting so long for him. He tells him not to fear battle and gives him the sign of a white sow and her white piglets under an oak tree and that thirty years hence Ascanius will establish Alba. He then turns back to the battle at hand and tells him to seek out King Evander’s armies and his son, Pallas. He wakes and obeys. Once on Evander’s shores, he sees they are celebrating Hercules. The Arcadians discover Aeneas and want to attack him and his men, but when Aeneas tells them his name and from whence he comes, they welcome him. King Evander knows his father and will help in any way. Aeneas pleads for help against Turnus, and the king will send his troops. Evander tells the story of how he knows Anchises. Then tells the story of why they celebrate Hercules every year; he saved their people from the monster son of Vulcan, Cacus. After telling the story, he recounts the history of Early Latium and takes Aeneas on a tour around the city. Rome must be so great that the gods have made it their home. Meanwhile, Venus goes to her husband, Vulcan to convince him with her beauty to make a full armor for Aeneas. He is spellbound and obeys, with the help of the Cyclops.The next morning, Evander and Aeneas meet. Evander promises to be an ally and lends him his troops and those of his son, Pallas, then tells Aeneas about evil Mezentius. Evander, himself, is too old to fight. Out of the sky just then, comes a sign from Venus. His men are dumbstruck, but Aeneas knows the sign and is calm. Deep within the heart of Evander, he wishes to fight and expresses it to Aeneas, but alas, he cannot. He beseeches the gods to keep Pallas safe, and they are off! Venus delivers the armor personally, and he admires it. The poet now speaks and begins to describe the engravings on the shield, which represent all the major stories of Roman history, including Romulus, the Sabines, and Caesar. He knows nothing of these stories but greatly admires the shield. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book 9</b><span style="line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Iris comes to Turnus and tells him that Aeneas is gone from his camp and that now is the time to go and attack while he is gone. Back in the camp, Aeneas’ men remember that he had warned them not to trust the open field, but to stay within the walls. Turnus is like a wolf waiting “around a crowded sheepfold.” The Poet asks what God warded off these fierce flames from Aeneas and their men. Long before, Jove’s mother gave her sacred timbers to the Dardan prince to build their fleet. Now she is in anguish to see the fleet destroyed and begs her son, Jove to save them. He questions if fate can be chosen and granted or if it is right that Aeneas go unscathed. Finally, he promises that instead of being destroyed, they will change their shape and become nymphs of the sea.The Fates from Ida descend and let the ships become nymphs, free and safe from harm. Turnus is happy the Trojans cannot escape by sea now and are trapped on land to face him. The Trojans are resisting at the gates. Euryalus and Nisus have a plan to break out into enemy lines to search for Aeneas. Euryalus is young and does not remember Aeneas’ advice to stay behind the gates and walls. Nisus seems to come to his senses and tries to keep Euryalus from going since he is still young and has a good life ahead, but he is determined. They seek an audience with the Trojans and present their plan. The men and Ascanius approve and Ascanius gives them gifts. Euryalus asks Ascanius to care for his mother if he perchance should die, which Ascanius agrees to do. The poet foretells their fate as they set out. They fight mightily and then Nisus once again tries to stop Euryalus from fighting, but to no avail. He is young and hotheaded. They run, but when Nisus turns back and sees that Euryalus is not behind him, he goes in search of him and suddenly sees him among the Rutulians, who will stop at nothing until he is killed. Nisus tries to save him, but cannot and ends up being killed shortly after that. The next morning, the Rutulians have impaled the heads of the two and placed them on pikes to display to the Trojans, who recognize them at once. Euryalus’ mother sees and weeps. Her heart is broken, and she makes her speech. The men, including Ascanius, comfort her and enter into battle. The Rutulians begin a full-scale attack on the Trojan camp. The Poet invokes the Muse to have their help in recounting the battle. Numanus taunts the Trojans with his speech, comparing the manly Italians to the effeminate Trojans. Ascanius prays for divine help to kill him and Jove hears and gives him strength and the deed is done. Apollo praises Ascanius for his heroic act. Apollo then stops him from fighting until he is older. The men notice the exchange between Ascanius and Apollo and approve of it, then head back to battle. Turnus comes to the gate to help and kills many. Pandarus thinks he is doing good by closing the gate, but discovers that Turnus is already within the walls. He taunts Turnus and Turnus kills him. He could have opened the gate and let his Rutulian men it to help in the killing, but is bent on taking the Trojans on himself--full of pride and hubris, is he. The Trojans are finally gaining. They plunge Turnus into the River Tiber, and he rejoins his troops. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book 10</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-60992b91-65ed-7169-bd78-60a9fef2bead"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Book 10 begins with the council of the gods. Venus is desperate and pleads with Jove to end the war. She blames Juno for the whole of it. Finally, Venus pleads safety for her grandson, Ascanius. Juno rebuts, saying that she only has “helped” the Latins and blames Venus for intervening. In the end, Jove will not intervene one bit and leaves it all for the fates to find their way. Back on the battle scene, Turnus is waging war. Meanwhile Aeneas lands in Tuscany and gathers King Tarchon and men and sets sail once again for Latium. The Poet invokes the muses to tell the story of the great men from Tuscany. Shortly, afterward, the nymphs who had been born of the burning fleet finds and warns Aeneas of the battle already happening and to prepare for war. Tunus sees Aeneas coming with his fleet and makes plans to kill them all. King Turchon runs his ship to shore and breaks its back on a sandbank. The battle is in full force. The first victories are by Aeneas himself, however the struggle is equally felt. Pallas, now leads the way and kills many, including Haleasus. Fate prevents Pallas and Lausus to fight one another. Juturna, Turnus’ sister spurs him on. Turnus, seeing Aeneas yells for his men to stop fighting, for he will have Pallas alone. Hercules cannot promise safety for Pallas. The two fight hard and finally Turnus kills him and strips his heavy belt from him, rueing the day that he ever did it. Aeneas hears of his death and lashes out in fierce angry battle to avenge his death. He had promised to bring him back safely to his family and home. Juno is fearful of Turnus’ life and begs Jove to save him from temporary danger. He indulges her for a time and Juno creates a phantom of Aeneas to lure Turnus away in a ship and out of danger. She controls the winds and takes him to his homeland. He is angry when he realizes his plight and prays ot Jove. Meanwhile, Mezentius is heading up the enemy line and fights mightily. At the end of Book 10, we see Mezentius and Aeneas face each other. Mezentius receives a blow. His son, Lausus, jumps in to save his father and Aeneas slays him. A break of emotion sets in as Aeneas contemplates the love Lausus had for his father. He feels deep sorrow and pity and carefully lifts the limp body and returns it to the enemy. Mezentius sorrows over his son, but then avenges his death as both he and Aeneas fight to the death, with Aeneas standing in victory’s place. Mezentius has one last plea to be buried under the earth. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book 11</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aeneas dedicates the spoil to Mars and then prepares the funeral and to return Pallas’ body to his father, King Evander. The Latin elder, Drances pleads for a truce to bury their dead and Aeneas gracefully accepts and they agree on 12 days. The funeral procession continues, and they reach King Evander, who throws himself onto the body of his son. He wishes to be dead, just as is his wife and now son, then, he asks Aeneas to avenge Pallas’ death against Turnus. Back in the capital, resentment grows against Turnus. The embassy sent to ask help from Diomedes, returns and presents King Latinus with an unfavorable answer. Diomedes says he will not fight the Trojans, especially with someone as gifted as Aeneas. King Latinus speaks to the people saying the Latin situation is hopeless, and they should either give some land to the Trojans or build ships for them to sail to another harbor. Drances agrees and inveighs Turnus to his face. Turnus replies hatefully and finally calls out that he will take on Aeneas by himself. Aeneas gets wind of this and immediately prepares. All gear up for battle and Camilla comes to offer help to Turnus, who accepts readily. He stays back and prepares to ambush and sends her to the front lines. Meanwhile, Diana summons Opis, tells Camilla’s story and prophecies her doom and then asks Opis to avenge her death by killing her pursuer. The battle begins and Camilla fights mightily. Jove intervenes and sends Tarchon down to rally the Etruscan allies to aid the Trojans. Arruns attacks Camilla and while hurling his spear prays to Apollo for help saying that he does not kill a woman for plunder or trophy over her corpse, but merely wishes to stop one of the strong heroines to win the war. Apollo hears. Camilla’s last words to her sister are to fetch Turnus and tell him he must take over and then she dies. Opis laments and seizes the opportunity to avenge her and kills Arruns. Turnus discovers the news of Camilla, abandons his plan for an ambush and charges toward the Capital to find Aeneas.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-58396491590176259272015-12-04T08:38:00.004-07:002015-12-04T08:50:53.296-07:00The Structure of Soliloquy: Impending Death of Richard III<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="color: #783f04;">Give me another horse: bind up my wounds.</span><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">Have mercy, Jesu!--Soft! I did but dream.<br />O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!<br />The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight.<br />Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.</span><br /><span style="color: #e69138;">What do I fear? myself? there's none else by:<br />Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I.<br />Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am:<br />Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why:<br />Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?<br />Alack. I love myself. Wherefore? for any good<br />That I myself have done unto myself?</span><br /><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">O, no! alas, I rather hate myself<br />For hateful deeds committed by myself!<br />I am a villain:</span> <span style="color: #e69138;">yet I lie. I am not.</span><br /><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.<br />My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,<br />And every tongue brings in a several tale,<br />And every tale condemns me for a villain.<br />Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree<br />Murder, stem murder, in the direst degree;<br />All several sins, all used in each degree,<br />Throng to the bar, crying all, Guilty! guilty!</span><br /><span style="color: #b45f06;">I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;<br />And if I die, no soul shall pity me:<br />Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself<br />Find in myself no pity to myself?</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #783f04;">Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd<br />Came to my tent; and every one did threat<br />To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.</span></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
King Richard’s Soliloquy (Act V.III.178-207)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p1">
Shakespeare’s understanding of the human impels him to include the soliloquy for the sake of self-introspection, which often empowers the individual and the audience to learn the truth. The soliloquy helps Richard come to a realization of his circumstance and the consequence of his bloodthirsty decisions. The ghostly visitations of the eight men and women whom Richard murdered trigger the soliloquy; each of them appearing at his bedside and placing a curse upon him, “despair and die.” When he awakes, his vision is cloudy, but soon Richard recollects the dreams, which launch him through a series of emotions beginning with panic and ending with the ghostly-prophesied despair. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Shakespeare structures the soliloquy as a process of making sense of his dire situation. The first line addresses the recent misfortune from the night before, the loss of his horse and his battle wounds. Then the next four lines deal with fearful panic as he remembers the deadly dreams of the eight apparitions. The next seven lines deal with an inquiry and battle within. He questions if he is indeed the murderer. He answers, first no, then yes, and wonders if he could flee, but knows he cannot escape from himself, nor take upon himself revenge. The next two and a half lines demonstrate a near reckoning with the inevitable truth, but he cannot hold onto it quite yet and quickly points out that no, it is a lie, he is not a villain. The next eight lines condemn him as guilty. Finally, keen despair sets in during the next four lines as he realizes he has lost all his friends with no one to pity him, not even himself. He recognizes the self-betrayal and dishonesty, which will lead him to his bloody death within moments, for with the last three lines he is brought to a perfect remembrance of the eight, midnight-ghostly visitors, of those he murdered, who had prophesied his despair and death. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="p1">
As stated, the soliloquy is a process that Richard moves through. However, Richard is not alone in the process; the audience experiences right along with him the corollaries as if the audience were in King Richard’s place. In a way, the soliloquy finally redeems the audience from suffering, for once they go with Richard through the process of reckoning and accountability, they can be rest assured that the end is near, and they have learned more completely what befalls a man with such ambition. The exercise can be remarkably influential; remaining in the minds of the audience well after the play has ended. </div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-86097352099049473192015-11-27T12:06:00.000-07:002015-11-30T14:17:35.451-07:00Vocation Calls: What Is Your Mission?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 31.5pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIw711t_zfc/VliphDwBAKI/AAAAAAAABSA/9hVvuOn3G_Q/s1600/Joan-of-Arc-painting-1485-283x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIw711t_zfc/VliphDwBAKI/AAAAAAAABSA/9hVvuOn3G_Q/s320/Joan-of-Arc-painting-1485-283x300.jpg" width="301" /></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I cherish the opportunities to learn more about who I am and what God wants me to do. I watched a docudrama on BYUtv last night that reminded me of who I am and what is my special purpose or mission in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 31.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Imagine a youth from a small hamlet, an untrained, unschooled, impoverished young person, who sees a resurrected heavenly being and who has received a call from God to do great work on this earth. This youth forgoes the pleasure and security of a quiet life and pursues the divine call and completes the mission. Tragically, the youth is tried, pronounced a heretic and dies a martyr. Who might this be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 31.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This youth became commander of the French army at age 17, was captured and imprisoned at the age of 18, and burned at the stake at the age of 19 in Rouen, France on May 30, 1431. Have you figured out who this youth is?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> This courageous, virtuous youth was Joan d'Arc. What moved her to take on such a daunting task? While at home in Domrémy, France she heard a Heavenly voice calling her and as she gazed toward the voice she saw a bright light wherein Heavenly Messengers bid her rise and save France from the English domination and restore Dauphin Charles to his rightful seat on the throne of France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her faith and devotion to God and steady belief in this divine call prompted her to gather an army and eventually defeat the English. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Scrupulous trial records attest to her virtuous moral, character and to the praise she received from the men who served with her. Her era represented a corrupt time in France, but she was fully committed to living the law of chastity. Her mission involved camping out with men and lying in the same tents. In the trial records, it is stated that men desired to lie with her, but as they reached out, they were overcome with a strong restraint or felt like they could not touch such a pure, moral maiden. Joan never swore, prayed continually and required the men to pray twice daily. Joan had a thorough understanding of who she was and what God expected of her. Her army felt her influence and leadership. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Many tales have been told of her courage and leadership. Scores of movies and tomes of literature have graced our theatres and libraries. Some depict her life well, some not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many scholars and historians have not known what to do with her spiritual experiences and have played them down or changed them completely. I believe her experience was divinely appointed to prepare the world for greater things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This morning as I pondered upon her special mission and her influence I was astonished to think of her illustrious role in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her story is not unlike that of Joseph Smith, only her mission was to restore faith in God and to save France politically. I thought about the how the Gospel had not yet been restored to earth, thus the protocol would be different than what I would expect from today's revelation. In Joan's day, the Lord had made use of the already known religious symbols of the Catholic Church. Her angel voices declared the design of her banners with the French fleur-de-lis and the words of Mary and Jesus. The divine command was to bring God back into the daily lives of her army and the nation. Miraculously, the Lord responded to her devotion to Him and her influence over the soldiers to practice religious devotion; Joan and her army began to win back many of the cities from the English and eventually to lead the Douphin to his place as the rightful heir to the throne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> Richard John Maynes said of her mission, “Without Joan of Arc, there would have been no country of France. Without France and the French Navy, George Washington could never have won at Yorktown. Therefore, there could have never been an America. Without America, there could not have been a successful Restoration of the Gospel. Joan of Arc was led by God to do what she did to guarantee the restoration.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Jeffrey R. Holland turns our thoughts inward and inspires us, “A young girl could do that now in our day.” If God can lead and inspire an ordinary and simple young Joan d'Arc, he can inspire each of you to carry out your purpose and mission. If you are to do it successfully, you must keep His commandments as Joan did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be courageous and follow your personal revelation. Don't be afraid to be different in our century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Celebrate with me one girl’s mission to further God’s purposes. Be inspired! Find your mission!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.byutv.org/watch/98102eb7-69d9-45e5-9322-2e9d7284c3a6/joan-of-arc-joan-of-arc" target="_blank">Watch the most recent film about Joan d'Arc on BYUtv</a></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-41978117032762297372015-09-24T22:38:00.001-06:002015-09-24T22:38:40.568-06:00The Companion Virtues: Intelligence and GoodnessYou who know me, know I love <a href="http://publiusgreenman.blogspot.com/2015/06/to-be-moral-or-to-be-intelligent-that.html" target="_blank">John Erskine's Essay called "The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent"</a>. I like it for a few reasons including the idea that it always seems to prepare me to start another school year on the right foot—making sure I remember intelligence is a virtue and a companion to Goodness. You can read more about his premise in the link above.<br />
<br />
Well, my thoughts have somewhat been rolling around in the realm of being intelligent and virtuous—that Knowledge must be matched with the sister virtue of Goodness. To the degree that intelligence and Goodness exist together, they make a person whole and glorious. C. S. Lewis said, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” I surmise that sometimes in our learning we justify our weaknesses and lower our values and standards. I think this is the seductive danger in leaning toward our own understanding and not God's understanding. In Second Nephi 9:29, we learn that "to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." This principle of aligning my intelligence with God's intelligence has led me to ponder on my recent past.<br />
<br />
Here is a little history: for the last twelve years, I have been associating with a couple who have intrigued me with their thoughts, ideas and intellect. Most of our discussion has been in the field of religion, LDS religion, and includes principles and ideas from without the mainstream of Church belief. It has been fascinating and compelling. Other couples have shared stories and books about visions and near-death experiences. These have been intriguing too. For the sake of making this post brief, I am not going to go into detail at this time. I may revisit this post when college classes and my own homeschooling responsibilities are not overwhelming me, but for right now, I will be brief. <br />
<br />
Over time, I have had a feeling that something does not quite settle right in my soul about all of these things and I have not known why and maybe I still do not know why, but I have an idea. It seemed that all these years only a few number of members know about these things or talk about them. The rest do not or do not even care. The Brethren surely do not talk about them either. The word esoteric comes to mind. These discussions, therefore are for the few, not the many. They also come in, not by the Gate, but in other ways (under the gate, over the fence, etc.) Knowledge translated into Greek is Gnosis, which could be interpreted as Gnosticism. In other words, over the last decade or so, I have been delighting in good old Mormon Gnosticism. Not gnosticism in the ancient sense pertaining to the 2nd Century heretical movement, but a loose definition of gnosticism in the sense that only a few know about it—esoteric knowledge.<br />
<br />
If the knowledge is esoteric, then it is not for the general public. This is starting to sound like the Dark Ages to me. If it is not for the general public, then it is only personal revelation and not something that ought to be shared with others. Alma 12:9 says, “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.” Strict command is pretty strong here. I surmise that this "gnosis" in which, I have been caught up is not for me to share with others, discuss with others or listen from others.<br />
<br />
I believe Mormon Gnosticism began as a fascination with me, then gradually, I felt a sort of "pulling away" from the basic faith. I do not think I went far, but just enough to feel a little darker. In my struggle, I felt to veer away from the esoteric and an amazing thing happened, I felt freer and more filled with light and knowledge, or more pertinently, I felt true gnosis—the kind of living knowledge given to all mankind from God.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Back to Erskine, I truly DO have a moral obligation to be intelligent, act intelligent and do intelligent things. I have the obligation to be good and to match my intelligence with that of God's, but I do not have an obligation to share the esoteric or the obscure doctrines, I need to heed the Lord and "impart only the portion of His word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give Him". I do, however, have an obligation to continue to seek for personal revelation and when it comes, I know I can be like Mary of the New Testament and keep all these things and ponder them in my heart (Luke 2:19).<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-90228405325156310252015-09-24T21:35:00.001-06:002015-09-24T22:45:11.143-06:00Chorus in Aristophanes' Frogs<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Who will win the contest and be
granted the grand position to bring life back to an ailing Athens? The aggressive
match is between the newly deceased Euripides and the long deceased Aeschylus. Dionysus
descends to the underworld and will determine who bears more weight and could
turn Athens around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the most
influential force of any Grecian contest relies on the Muses, the source of the
knowledge of arts and sciences. They are the “experts” in the Dionysian rituals
and festivals. In the following two stanzas the chorus summons their bright
presence to preside over the fierce debate between the two angry poets.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When men of sage and
subtle mind <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In fierce debate their
views do vent,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And strive some
priceless phrase to find<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To mask each specious
argument, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Zeus’s virgin
daughters nine<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stand by to watch the
sport divine.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Come then today, you
Muses bright!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Two worse foes never
took the field: <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For one is armed with
words of might, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And one the sword of
wit does wield.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O heavenly maids, your
presence lend!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Game’s afoot!
Descend, descend!<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It is alluded to in the first
stanza that whenever there is a debate, such as this fierce one, the nine Muses
stand by as spectators. Alas, is that all they are—spectators? I would surmise
their purpose is more than bystanders. The chorus would agree and knew well the
importance of the Muses at the contests. They continue on chanting their wisdom.
With their iambic trimeter, they call down the Muses to descend below to
witness and give favor to the contest. In the penultimate line of the second
stanza, the “heavenly maids” will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lend</i>
their presence, which one can assume that by their presence, they impart
something substantial. I imagine that they grant encouragement, strength and
hope for the best man to win. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In comparing the chorus of Frogs to
the choruses of the former poets, Aeschylus and Sophocles, I find it exceedingly
interesting that the chorus’ in Aristophanes’ Frogs has less substance than the
antecedents. It would seem that the characteristics of the singular figures are
becoming more in tune to the logic and wisdom or the irrationality and folly of
their choices and rely less on a wisdom-bearing chorus. Therefore, I deduce
that, apart from the chorus leader, the chorus’ effect on the audience or
reader is weaker and less convincing than those of the former poets. It may be
that Euripides’ characters are portrayed as real and human and more reasonable,
whereas, those of Aeschylus’ are more heroic and stay closer to the moral
themes denoting the ideal virtue, relying on the chorus to convince the
audience of the ideal. Regardless, the influence and spirit of the Muses will
always linger on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Aristophanes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Frogs</i>, translated by David Barrett, (Penguin Classics, 2007), Act II, line
877-888<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-23415492027897907332015-09-17T21:34:00.000-06:002015-09-24T21:35:23.256-06:00The Chorus in Sophocles' Theban Plays<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
If the natural inclination of man
is to follow the crowd, Sophocles must have understood this because of his use
of the chorus. It seemed to supply the democratic pull to persuade and convince
his audience (or in my case, his reader) to go with the flow. I sensed an
intense relief as I read over the following strophe and ceased reading. I was
in awe at the power of the chorus. Some of that was due to my directed focus on
the purpose of Sophocles’ chorus, but whether or not I was focused, I felt its
invisible hand controlling my mood. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The Chorus of all the Theban plays
is made up of the old men. Particularly, in his Oedipus at Colonus, the chorus
is a group of old men of that city. In all likelihood, they are the wise
experienced citizens and owners of land and, apart from the heavily ingrained
fate that accompanies all Greek thought, the deciding factor of the play. The
chorus, working to unite the audience in a democratic sense, not only gives
clarity and provides the bigger picture, but it heavily persuades the mood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Just before the following strophe,
Theseus calms the blind king’s heart, confirming that Apollo sent and guided
Oedipus to this particular grove at Colonus, a sacred resting place of the
gods. He promises that his name, the name of Theseus, will be his shield of
protection from the enemies. The chorus takes the role of a united societal
thought and soothes the emotions of the audience, after having suffered with
Oedipus over the innocent, but terrible tragedy. It is interesting to note that
the “pull” of the gods is not as strong as it once was and it appears that the
chorus might be taking over that responsibility. With that said, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> the chorus that changes the mood and
furnishes a blanket of peace, tranquility and rest. It clarifies and expands
the horizon for his future, but ultimately, it assures that Oedipus has finally
found a people who will accept him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The land of running
horses, fair<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Colonus takes a guest;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He shall not seek
another home.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For this, in all the
earth and air,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is most secure and
loveliest.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In the god’s untrodden
vale <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where leaves and
berries throng,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And wine-dark ivy
climbs the bough,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The sweet, sojourning
nightingale <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murmurs all night
long.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No sun nor wind may
enter there<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nor the winter’s rain;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But ever through the
shadow goes Dionysus reveler,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Immortal maenads in
his train.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We see that these lines are an
extension of Theseus’ promise. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
chorus expounds upon his oath of peace and protection. It announces, in unison,
“Colonus takes a guest.” Undoubtedly, the old men agree with their King,
Theseus, to receive Oedipus and protect him as their code of xenia requires. The
reader feels drawn in, they are more likely persuaded to agree with the chorus
and the King; it is a welcome relief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The purpose for the chorus here is
to demonstrate the belief of the people of Athens, united and amenable to make
Oedipus take comfort here, his last home. The strophe assures the audience that
the grove is the “most secure and loveliest” than any other place of rest. Furthermore,
the words, “In God’s untrodden vale” are a safeguard that trespassers never will
bother to come. The last part of the strophe guarantees that the harshness of life
has no place in this part of the world. The hot sun has no more power to beat
upon, bake or burn. The wind can no longer carry him away as he was wont to
wander and the winter’s rain may not pelt, freeze, erode, grind him down, nor
deluge him with sorrows. In this manner, the chorus calms the anxiety the
audience may feel as a result of the tragedy of Oedipus’ life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The zeitgeist of the Ancients is
not far from the spirit of our times. People naturally tend toward group
thought. It is much easier to follow the crowd than to stand up against it. Not
that this particular chorus strophe expresses it, but that the chorus ode
persuades the mood and unites us in thought, relieves us from this long
suffering and influences us to agree with the people, which is not so hard to
do since we want relief for poor Oedipus. The chorus is the voice of greater
society, most likely the beginnings of what would soon to appear on the
horizon: the Greek democracy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-35810111563962062732015-09-10T18:58:00.002-06:002015-09-10T18:58:26.985-06:00Homeric Digressions: Are They Necessary?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
When the reader arrives at a
significant moment in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Odyssey</i> and
when the tenseness is almost about to reach its climax, Homer jerks him back in
time to give an exhaustive literary impression of a particular object or
person. At first, the digressions might feel tedious, seem unnecessary and slow
the story down, especially, if one is waiting on the edge of his seat for more
action. However, compared with the modern day excessive amusements and
distractions, Homer and his fellow citizens were not interested in cutting to
the chase, but in embellishing the stories of their heritage and celebrating
the heroes and their culture. This essay will attempt to justify the
essentiality of Homeric digressions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
These digressions add depth and
background, richness and context to the beloved stories. They fully illuminate
themes, ideas and the essential Greek cultural capital of Reciprocity, Hospitality
and Arête. The digressions involve the storyteller himself. In the middle of
the story, Homer chimes in and takes the reader on a tangent, like a little old
man in his rocking chair might do. The digression is where we, the reader, allow
the bard to embellish and celebrate the stories within the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Many essays have been written about
the more famous digression of Odysseus’ scar, but there are numerous smaller digressions
that beg for attention. One in particular is the story of how Odysseus obtained
his bow. Penelope dreadfully climbs “up the steep stairs…to a hidden storeroom,
far in the palace depths.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
The reader is anticipating her bringing the bow down to the hall where the
suitors will contend in stringing the bow and cutting the axes. The best man
will become Penelope’s new husband. Yet, leaving us in terrible suspense, Homer
takes us now, to the region of Messene, where youthful Odysseus strikes up a
friendship with Iphitus. We learn that they exchange gifts to mark the start of
their relationship; Iphitus gives his bow, which once was his father’s, the
mighty Eurytus and Odysseus gives his sharp sword and rugged spear. No sooner
than they exchange the friendly tokens, but Heracles, the past master of
monstrous works, kills the gallant Iphitus, Eurytus’ magnificent son, a guest
in his house. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In this digression, Homer expounds
upon some of the themes of heritage, of names, of hospitality, as would an old
wise man continually take to the task of teaching and training the virtues to
the young. He knows his place as a keeper of the Greek values and maintains it
through the oral tradition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In addition to the reasons we have
already discussed, the digressions occasionally suggest prophecy, omens, or
symbolism. In this one, there seems to be some symbolism in the arrows
described as “shafts of pain.” Heretofore in the epic, we know that Odysseus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> the man of pain and has suffered much
pain in the last twenty years, and who is finally on home turf with one last
battle to fight. Nevertheless, instead of his pain, this time it will be that
of the suitors. Furthermore, symbolic of the bow that never “went abroad with”
him, but that he “only took…on hunts at home,” he will use specifically on a
hunt at home; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i> very home; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">within</i> his home. But first, Penelope must
search “far in the palace depths” to find the well-constructed bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Symbolically, she is reaching far within the
depths of her soul for solace and what will bring her the most happiness—her husband
home and by her side. Here she arms herself with the weapon of soon-to-be-mass-destruction,
thinking only of her own imminent destruction and yet, it is the very symbol of
home for Odysseus as it, along with Odysseus’ craftiness and strength, will restore
his home and his family. All this symbolism is made richer, deeper and more
powerful because of the story of the bow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The stories within the story are
important to these people. Interwoven throughout the Odyssey, the inquiries:
who are you, what is your name, and from whence do you hail, express the
importance of Greek heritage. The story of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the
man</i> is the ultimate of who he is. His story embodies him. It is the
cultural capital that portrays Arête. It is the motivation for hospitality and
reciprocity. Without the digressions, we have few stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Homer, <i>The Odyssey</i>,
translated by Robert Fagles (Penguin Books, 2006), pg. 424, lines 6-10</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-67279769284389716452015-09-07T15:54:00.001-06:002015-09-07T15:54:24.501-06:00Emotional Manipulation: Well known in the Ancient World<div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In Aeschylus’ day no dramatic music score existed to help raise the emotions of the audience. No digitized special effects could add flavor and appeal, or agitate his audience, transforming them at gut level. The entire effect rested upon three things, the accounts of the story, hideous masks, and especially the third: the eerie chorus, which furnished the necessary foreboding, forewarning, and foreshadowing of the impending doom that awaited the household of Agamemnon. The choral lines <i>were</i> the special effects, which set the mood and tone of the ancient plays in the Oresteia. They give us a backdrop for a powerful emotional experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The choral lines throughout alluded to the several murders of Atreus’ household; first the murder of Thyestes’ children by Atreus, Agamemnon’s father; then, in order to have favorable winds for his journey to the Trojan war, Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia; followed by the murder of the recently returned victorious Agamemnon by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus; and now Orestes, Agamemnon’s exiled son, who is about to murder his mother and Aegisthus. Clearly, the chorus is setting the mood for a never-ending evil and generational destruction. The audience feels agitated, anxious, and apprehensive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In the following passage from the Libation Bearers, the chorus cuts through the nonsense and heralds the ominous cloud of impending doom upon Orestes. Notice the mood depicted by the descriptions of blood so thick, “caked and hard,” and “the fostering ground,” which stems from the constant familial desire to atone one man’s murder with another man’s murder; and how this infectious desire “boils within” each of their hearts; and finally how each successive murder brings on new evil or “new blood guilt,” with no cure in sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Through too much glut of blood drunk by our fostering ground</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<span class="GramE"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">the</span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> vengeful gore is caked and hard, will not drain through.</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The deep-run ruin carries away</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<span class="GramE"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">the</span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> man of guilt. Swarming infection boils within.</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“For one who assaults the bride’s pure bed, there is no cure.</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All the world’s waters running in a single drift</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<span class="GramE"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">may</span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> try to wash blood from the hand</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 85.5pt;">
<span class="GramE" style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">of</span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> the stained man; they only bring new blood guilt on.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></b></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Each evil act is spurred on by a feeling of atoning for the evil of the previous and yet, with each murder, the evil runs thicker and deeper, never to be resolved, or so the drama leads the audience to believe. This persistent evil spell brought on by continual devious deeds sets the tone and, doubtless, causes a deep desire within the heart of the patron to think twice about his or her own decisions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In this one example of the poetic chorus, we see how the stage is set for an emotional impact and psychological outcome. Thus, is the purpose of the chorus: to deliver the special effects and nuances that set the mood and tone of the Oresteia and cause the audience to participate in the story and feel the emotions of cause and effect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br clear="all" /><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1">
<div style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Aeschylus, <i>The Libation Bearers</i>, Edited by David <span class="SpellE">Grene</span> and Richmond Lattimore (University of Chicago Press, 2013), pg. 83-84, lines 71-74</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-73117804833691859452015-08-17T23:52:00.002-06:002015-08-17T23:54:51.624-06:00Is Beauty Truly in the Eye of the Beholder?I do not know if beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It suggests a democratic idea of bringing down the heavenly ideal to earthly reality. The phrase was coined by Irish novelist, Margaret Wolfe Hungerford in the nineteenth century during the Romantic period, which favored a new moral relativism. Followers of Karl Marx believed the common man was morally superior to the rich man and that the criminal was spiritually superior to the law-abiding citizen. Later, Friedrich Nietzsche influenced a degraded world. Religion and belief in God declined and set the stage for a society of disillusionment and decay. It is no wonder that the true meaning of Beauty was lost upon the world at this time. The person who perceived beauty in Marcel DuChamp's’ 1917 Urinal knew little of the meaning of Beauty. He regarded anything he fancied as some great piece of art. If something pleased him, it must be beautiful, he thought. This idea that beauty is relative to a person’s taste is a misuse and abuse of the true meaning of Beauty. Not surprisingly, the current dictionary caters to this idea of moral relativism; beauty is modernly defined as “a combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt1">[1]</a> Conversely, what happens when we do not have moral sense? Or, what if our intellect has lost the capacity to reason because we have no standard of what is right or wrong from our lack of moral sense? Before we answer this, let us consult some of the great philosophers on Beauty.<br />
<br />
Plato would not have approved of the phrase in question. For him, Beauty indicated an eternal value; Beauty was an unchanging form; universal and consistent. If Man A thought a woman was beautiful, but Man B did not, one would have to be right and one wrong. According to Plato, Man A understood the natural form of Beauty and recognized it in the woman, whereas Man B had not the understanding nor could he recognize it in its true form. English philosopher, Roger Scruton wrote, “If there are people who are indifferent to beauty, then it is surely because they do not perceive it.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt2">[2]</a> Beauty could be described as an ideal akin to virtue. In the Aristotelian sense, virtue meant something that was in its most pristine condition and achieved the purpose for which it was created.<br />
<br />
Kant was interested in both Beauty and the Sublime in not only art, but in nature. Like Hutcheson and Hume, he believed Beauty and Sublimity were not attributes of objects, but the means in which we respond to objects. Kant wrote not about the Form of Beauty, as did Plato, but about taste. He wrote, “beauty is not a concept of the object.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt3">[3]</a> This focus on the subjective, Kant carefully stated, was not a function of individual or personal taste. Therefore, he also, did not believe that “beauty was in the eye of the beholder.” Unlike Kant, but also opposed to the phrase, St. Augustine believed that Beauty was an attribute of God and any observer could receive it unto himself by Divinity. He believed that Beauty was manifested through order and proportion.<br />
<br />
I believe Beauty is a Truth. And what is Truth, you ask? Truth is something that is always available, always accurate, always genuine and authentic. Truth never changes. Truth means the Sun will appear in the morning and disappear at night; Truth means the seedling will grow into a plant and that a child will grow into an adult.<br />
<br />
The poet, John Keats wrote, “Truth is Beauty, Beauty truth.” A student of the liberal arts is on a quest to find the Good, the True and the Beautiful. The three words are inseparable and form the foundation of all goodness in heaven and on earth. Each have a part in the power to move individuals and societies toward a higher good. C.S. Lewis describes this power. “We do not want merely to see beauty... we want something else which can hardly be put into words- to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it. That is why we have peopled air and earth and water with gods and goddesses, and nymphs and elves.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt4">[4]</a> I have felt of the power of this Beauty as I have stood on high mountains looking down, with awe, into lush valleys; I have experienced it from a balcony gazing into a clear blue lake or feasting my eyes on La Pieta in Rome or Bernini’s David in the Borghese Museum. I have observed men and women taken in by the power of Beauty in the same manner. A liberal mind recognizes truth more and more as they are exposed to it. Beauty is a humbling experience. Beauty is Truth.<br />
<br />
My husband and I recently moved to a different state and we were fortunate to find a house near a dear old friend, who happens to be an interior decorator by trade. She knew we had only four days before we would have a large gathering at our house and graciously lent her expertise to beautify and get our house in order. As the movers brought in each large piece, she carefully arranged it just right. Soon, the paintings and portraits were unwrapped, whereupon my talented aunt and friend consulted together and placed the art in beautiful arrangements on our walls. Our home looked remarkable and more beautiful than any of our previous homes had been. Even more astounding have been the compliments we receive continually from our friends and neighbors. My friend understands and perceives beauty. Her mind and heart have been trained. There is no question that Beauty follows universal laws. We may not yet understand those laws fully, but we feel them when we are surrounded by them.<br />
<br />
In this paper, I have attempted to make a case for Beauty. Because Beauty is Truth and we are students of Truth, we must cultivate a moral sense for the Good, the True and the Beautiful, if we are ever going to perceive True Beauty in anything. As for the phrase above, it is not beauty that is in the eye of the beholder. It is the ability to see Beauty and that ability must be within the beholder in order to sense Truth. This ability is trained through the Liberal Arts and practiced by the Virtuous and sanctioned by God. Lewis says, ”Beauty is not democratic -- she reveals herself more to the few than to the many”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt5">[5]</a> Liberal minds are developed through constant exposure to Beauty. When there is a dearth of true beauty, we are in danger of losing the meaning of life. “Beauty matters,” writes Roger Scruton, “that it is not just a subjective thing, but a universal need of human beings. If we ignore this need we find ourselves in a spiritual desert.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt6">[6]</a> Dostoevsky said, “Beauty will save the world.” Let us save the world by cultivating Beauty, by molding ourselves to Beauty, rather than molding Beauty to ourselves.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt_ref1">[1]</a> Merriam-Webster Dictionary</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt_ref2">[2]</a> Roger Scruton, Beauty, Oxford University Press, (2011)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt_ref3">[3]</a> Immanuel Kant, Critique of the Power of Judgment, Cambridge University Press, Jan 1, 2000</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt_ref4">[4]</a> C.S. Lewis, “Transposition and Other Addresses” (1949)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt_ref5">[5]</a> C.S. Lewis, "Democratic Education" in his "Notes on the Way" from Time and Tide, vol. XXV (29 April 1944), pp. 369-70</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#ftnt_ref6">[6]</a> Roger Scruton, Beauty</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-13854678670718982172015-06-28T13:29:00.004-06:002015-06-28T13:29:41.700-06:00Sabbath Day Observance <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This week, I had an accident with my phone. It accidentally
fell in some water. I grabbed it as fast as I could and dried it off. Dave
put it into a container of rice all night and I went to bed with great hopes
that it would be okay the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">In the morning, I retrieved my phone from the rice and it
seemed to turn on just fine, but it started to act up soon after. The audio
function, Siri, kept trying to hear messages from me and to respond. And it
would not go back to the Home screen, no matter what I did. I prayed and prayed
for help. This device is truly a huge part of my life for the same reasons you
use a calendar, bank, journal, scriptures, device to communicate to your family
and friends, etc. While praying, I had the distinct feeling that
everything would be okay, so I clung to that feeling with all my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I got down on my knees and asked the Lord what I needed to
learn from this experience and I waited and listened, but no answer came just
yet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Dave came in from exercising and began to work with it, but
the noise and the implication that I might lose it, was bothering me so much
that I contemplated leaving our room to continue with my task in another
room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> Suddenly, a small voice came to me to trust what Dave
was doing. I thought this might mean that he was going to fix it. I put my
trust in this thought. But after some time he laid it down and said that the
Home Button is the only thing that was not working. I let that sink in and I
pondered it. Some thoughts started forming in my mind. “The Home Button” does
not work. The quote, “No amount of success can compensate for failure in the
Home,” came to me and I pondered even more. Was this my answer for knowing what
I needed to learn from this experience? I pondered some more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">When our Home is not working, as it should, it affects every
aspect of our lives. This lesson hit me right where it hurt the most. I have
allowed us to move out of a spiritual center for reasons you may understand
with our busy circumstance (two girls to prepare to leave for the MTC, a
wedding, a new grand baby soon to be born and my parents’ 50<sup>th</sup> to
plan and carry out. I have been allowing poor behavior from all of us,
including me, for the last 6 weeks, which has been forming a habit that has grown
and strengthened. I grow weary and I react poorly each day. I am realizing that
I need to focus on my own “home button” right now and get things in order so
that we can have a successful home, which in turn, allows us to be successful
outside the home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I would like to focus on one aspect of our “home buttons” and
that is Sabbath Day Observance. If you will, put all your previous perceptions
away. Let us clear our minds of those preconceptions and follow the counsel in
D&C 136:32 “Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">We
are commanded to “observe the Sabbath day, and keep it holy” (Mosiah 18:23). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">To
keep it holy means to dedicate or consecrate all we do to the Lord. Most of our
lives we have talked about and written our own lists of things we should do or
not do on the Sabbath day for the purpose of keeping it holy. However, this is
a happy day for all of us. We can throw those lists away. They are limiting and
restrict us from truly keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">In the
recent General Authority training, Elder Nelson admitted that he threw his
lists out long ago when he came across these two scriptures from the Old
Testament. Listen for the repeated word “sign” in both and ponder what it might
mean for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Exodus
31:</span>13 “Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign
between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that
I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Ezekiel
20:</span>20 “And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be
a sign between me and you, that ye may know that
I am the Lord your God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, it is that the Sabbath observance is a literal “Sign”
between us and the Lord. And when we add to it the truth taught by John the
Beloved, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” then we understand that keeping
the Sabbath Day holy is a clear sign to the Lord that we love Him, “with all
[our] heart, and with all [our] soul, and with all [our] mind” (Matthew 22:37)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Elder
Nelson tells us that “All we have to do is decide what sign we want to give to
God.” No more lists. What is the sign we will choose?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The
Sabbath, when kept, is a sign of the covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">D&C
59:9-10 “That thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world,
thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy
day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and
to pay thy devotions unto the Most High.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Isaiah
58:13-24 “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure
on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight…not doing thine own ways, nor
finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then Shalt thou
delight thyself in the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Did
you notice the repeated word “Delight” in that last verse? This is the spirit
in which we shall call the Sabbath. It is a delight and we will delight the
Lord in the sign we are giving him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">This
sign, which is a covenant, is our very own way we can show the Lord how we love
him. Think of the ways you serve and love your family members, whether during
Christmas time, birthdays or any regular day that you try hard to serve and
love them. In this same spirit, the Sabbath is our way to love the Lord and
show him our commitment to the covenant we have made with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Teaching our Families<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">We
have just been learning about a personal way to keep the Sabbath day, but now
let us focus on how to magnify this within our families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Elder
Bednar addressed the same group in the General Authority training; he talked of
the importance of families to powerfully teach each other to observe the
Sabbath day. He said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“The
Biggest losses [of our members] occur between baptism and receiving the
Endowment…of all the things that we know; of all the reasons that contribute to
that rupture, first, foremost and most powerful, is weak gospel teaching and
modeling in the home. Thus, living the Savior’s Gospel in the home is essential
in creating and maintaining multi-generational families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Now,
I am well aware that gospel discussion is not always an exciting prospect with
our family members. Hannah hinted at that a little bit, and I can appreciate
that. I have been in her place. However, trying always is the difference
between weak and powerful gospel teaching and modeling. I testify that prayer
and pleading for help in this matter is essential and does work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Elder
Bednar has said that knowledge is what we know in our mind. Understanding is
when we take that knowledge down into our heart. Intelligence is when we apply
the knowledge and understanding. Usually, in our church classes (primary,
Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society and YM and YW) we get the knowledge
through the lessons, but it is not until we discuss, inquire, teach and learn
that we get the understanding in our hearts. It is imperative that we, as
parents, grandparents, aunts and Uncles, teachers and so forth, and especially
in the home environment, that we have those discussions for the sole purpose of
helping that knowledge meet understanding in the heart. Then and only then, can
we hope for the intelligent action, or the full application of knowledge and understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Casual
discussions with our family members on Sunday, whether at meal time or some
other special time, has the power to help that knowledge become an
understanding of the heart and then, in each individual life and in their
specific circumstances the application of gospel truth will occur. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Elder Christopherson)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">These
colloquial discussions and experiences not only help knowledge find
understanding and application, but will enrich the teaching and learning in the
next week at Church and thus we begin to see the fruits of powerful teaching
and modeling in the home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Brothers
and sisters, It is my prayer that we will help our “home buttons” function to
their fullest. That we may set aside those limiting lists of to do’s and not to
do’s and that we may choose our very own sign that shows our greatest love and
desire to keep the covenant with the Lord. That we may continue the dialogue
with our children each Sunday to create a powerful teaching and learning aspect
in our homes, is my prayer for all of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, who
strengthens us, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-84267889549841167112015-06-21T19:56:00.005-06:002015-06-21T19:56:57.870-06:00Happy Father's Day<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">My father raised six boys and one girl. I was the girl and the oldest. We grew up in the outdoors and my father taught us to love nature and the grand creations of God. He was a brave man to take all of us on backpacking trips and camping trips—many times alone as the sole adult. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The thing I remember most of all from those trips is that, going with him, I felt that I could do anything! I could climb the highest mountain, help catch the important fish for our dinners, find wood for our campfires, and so many other salient survival acts. I truly felt amazing, needed and capable. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I grew up with those wonderful feelings and tried to pass it on to my five daughters and one son. With few exceptions, my husband and I have taken our children every year up to the Uintah's, the White Clouds’, or the Sawtooth's and hopefully we have inspired in them how amazing, needed and important they are as well as inspiring them to love the grand creations of our Heavenly Father. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Fortunately, we have been blessed to take my father on many of those momentous occasions and now, as he is getting older, he moves a little more slowly. But, I hang back with him to help him feel amazing, needed and capable. It is precious to me that he feels that it is I who needs him to hang back with me and I let him believe it, because, he did so for me when I was young and slow. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This cycle of sharing beautiful things is only possible as we keep it alive in a multi-generational cycle that spans the life of each of us. We begin as a child needing help and encouragement, then we grow more and more capable just in time to help our aged feel the help and encouragement they gave us when we were young. What a beautiful thing. What a beautiful father I have! What a beautiful life and a beautiful future!</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-76721717489317089462015-06-20T10:23:00.001-06:002015-06-20T22:07:10.198-06:00To Be Moral or To Be Intelligent? That is the Question.It occurred to me that I have never written about an essay that I read at least once each year. The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent, by John Erskine. It is an essay that aligns and balances me in preparation for a new academic year filled with The Great Books of the Western World. Erskine's premise is that because of our English literary heritage, we suffer from a false assumption that The Good, the True and the Beautiful is not compatible to intelligence and that those who are intelligent must be evil or going towards it. His essay attempts to correct our thinking by strongly implying that intelligence and morality are inseparable.<br />
<br />
Our inherited literature is to blame, he says. Shakespeare's King Richard is highly intelligent, but evil, as is Lady MacBeth, Iago and Edmund. On the other hand, "the prizes of life go to such men as Bassanio, or Duke Orsino, or Florizel—men of good conduct and sound character, but of no particular intelligence." In Paradise Lost, Milton places Satan on the highest pedestal of intellect as well as the most evil, of course. But of God and his goodness, Milton places him as "illogical, ...heartless and repressive." Dickens, Fielding, Scott or Thackeray do the same thing. Their good, well-intentioned characters flounder in a pool of careless blunders. It is no wonder that we associate intelligence with mischief or unintelligence with moral character. It is ingrained in us from our very foundation.<br />
<br />
This idea begs me to contemplate some of my family members who have decidedly dropped the faith of their upbringing. I hadn't thought of this before writing my blog post today, but now it is clearer to me that it is quite possible my beloved family members believed the qualities set forth in Dickens, Shakespeare, Fielding, etc. without being discriminate and thus could not or cannot add morality to their lives if they wanted to remain intelligent. I digress...<br />
<br />
Now, I said that I read this essay yearly to balance and align myself (and now I am even more interested in doing this after realizing the destructive idea in the last paragraph) in preparation to begin a new academic year. This essay helps me to remember that Morality and Intelligence must be inseparable.<br />
<br />
One of my mentors, David R. Bednar, writes that intelligence is an action springing forth from the knowledge in the head that is understood in the heart. Wherefore, the action that proceeds from knowledge and understanding is an intelligent action or Intelligence.<br />
<br />
My goal in academics is for me to learn and help my children learn all we can to become beautiful people in thought, word and deed. Erskine writes, "Through measureless time [the office of intelligence] has been to make of life an opportunity, to make goodness articulate, and to make virtue a fact." It is my goal again to re-align my knowledge in order to match Godly morality and to become just a little more intelligent this year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<br />
—All quotes above are from the Essay in my Gateway to the Great Books, Volume 10.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-18558269388507088462015-05-05T20:44:00.003-06:002015-05-05T20:46:18.276-06:00The Sale<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 17.2000007629395px; line-height: 29.2400016784668px; margin-bottom: 1.1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p><i> (A Short Story)</i></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Through the years the children
gathered together at the woman’s home to share mealtimes and memories. With
deep affection and fondness, the woman loved to tell stories of her growing up
years in Illinois. She and her husband grew up in the same town, fell in love
and moved away from all they loved so dear. Nevertheless, they brought with
them beautiful family antiques and heirlooms with which to garnish their home
and recollect their heritage. The children and grandchildren grew to love and
appreciate the family heirlooms as they provided a bond to the deceased and a
link to their history and culture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almost
every holiday the family would assemble at Charlotte’s house, for that was the
woman’s name, and she would gather the grandchildren around her and point to an
item and in the most inviting tone, would tell the story about how she obtained
it. The wooden kitchen hutch with the special drawers for sugar and flour came
from a garage sale over fifty years past and cost only a dollar. It was in
excellent condition and served as an entryway piece to display desktop photos, books
and little trinkets set upon its upper shelves. There was an antique washstand
made of solid oak with perfectly dovetailed drawers and with a raised towel
bar. It seemed always the perfect support for any number of beautifully made
silk arrangements her husband, George, had given to her for a birthday or
anniversary. An old favorite of the young children was an antique coffee tin
with an intricate turquoise and brass design. It was shiny and lightweight and
if they were careful, Grandma Charlotte would let them turn it about in their
hands. It came from her Auntie who married, and had one beautiful baby girl
that, to everyone’s dismay, passed away before she turned eight. There were a
number of rare and antique picture frames gilded in gold with pictures of great
grandparents, great aunts and uncles. One of them framed her favorite US
president, Abraham Lincoln. She endeared her offspring to him as she told the
stories she learned as a child. Many other items graced her home and many more
stories were told over the years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Charlotte
aged and one day it was time to sell the large house and large yard. It was too
much to take care of. It was time to downsize. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Years
ago she had dreamed of retiring to a comfortable home free from debt and
surrounding herself with the most important thing in her life—her family. Times
were harder now. When the economy turned several years before, she was left
with more debt than with which she was comfortable. Insecurity clouded her mind
with images of vague financial troubles, clouds of fuzzy mental pictures with
jumbled up words like debt, needs, wants, broke, fear. She couldn’t make sense
of the words, but knew they meant danger. It wasn’t in her nature to calmly
ponder over the facts and put them in order. In times like these she was prone
to emotion, not reason. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Her one clear thought was, “The
more I can sell of my valuables the more money I could gain.” With a shake of
her head she thought, “A garage sale would attract the wrong crowd.” On the
other hand an estate sale would bring the highest prices. An estate sale would
be just the ticket. Because she had always been thrifty, rather than pay a
professional estate sale company, Charlotte chose to take on the management of
the estate sale herself. Stubborn was she and nothing seemed to get in the way
of her purpose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When they heard about Charlotte’s
plan, the children stood stunned. Some could not brace themselves and slowly
turned away for the nearest chair and plopped down upon it. Naturally, they
thought the special heirlooms and antiques would be handed down to them and
their children. No feeling of greed or selfishness plagued them, but they were
wracked with a sort of longing. A yearning burned within them to continue the
stories and to admire the beauty and special meaning of each separate artifact.
The relics represented a connection and bond to Charlotte and her heritage. Charlotte
sensed their reluctance, but in her desperation to recover her financial state
she seemed to careen over their objections.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Charlotte furled her brows with
incredulity, “Well, in this predicament, wouldn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> do the same thing?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
In great earnestness, a
daughter-in-law pleaded, “Some of these things are dear to me, they mean so
much, they epitomize your life and our heritage!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
With renewed strength and
confidence, Charlotte raised her eyebrows and lightened up her visage, “You can
purchase similar items, Eliza, like that antique washstand, online. And they
really aren’t as expensive as you think.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Moving forward and sitting on the
edge of her chair and with a soft strained voice, Eliza declared, “But I feel
connected to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">these</i> pieces!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Shaking her head and pursing her
lips, Charlotte drawled, “Well, you would be surprised at what you can find
online now-a-days.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
She droned on in her single-minded
purpose while her children listened on. The children sunk back heavily into
their chairs in shock, each of their minds grappling, yet failing for the words
to express their desires. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Charlotte became grouchy and short—commanding
and firm and closed to any suggestions from the others in the room. It was
uncommon for her to be like this. Notwithstanding, her breathing quickened.
Fear and agitation came out in the form of words, “If I don’t sell these things
are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> going to support me?” It was the
kind of question crafted to barb, not to kindly inquire. The children sensed
her stubbornness and, not being accustomed to it, did not know what to think.
Hopeless, the children hugged their mother and said their goodbyes and left at
the selfsame hour realizing their desires would not be heard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When it was time to prepare for the
sale, the children had softened and in an effort to love and serve, rather than
visibly suffer for their loss, they volunteered their strength to move the
heavy items and their talents to price and sell the treasures. Their actions
proved to be a godsend and Charlotte gracefully and gratefully accepted their
offerings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The first day of the sale went
smoothly and for Charlotte, rapidly. For the children who remained to work the
cashbox, it went dismally slow. As each item sold they engaged in a terrible
inner struggle between loving and respecting their mother and parting with the
treasured would-be heirlooms. The bulk of the buyers came that day and the bulk
of the small and less important things were sold, plus some of the longed-for
antique frames. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The next day was the hardest. Curious
faces came in through the door; some were looking for the perfect piece of
furniture for their homes and some were just browsing. First went the oaken
washstand, then the wooden kitchen hutch with the flour and sugar drawers, then
the silk arrangements, then the coffee tin, more antique frames, even the one
with the etching of Abraham Lincoln. Happy and satisfied faces went out through
the door. What remained that day were many loose and unwanted items that
usually sell to a different crowd who would come the last day of sale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
When the sale was over and her
children had helped to tidy up the leftover mess, they left and returned to
their homes and families. They were satisfied with their attitudes and the help
they rendered and satisfied that their mother had had a successful sale.
Charlotte thanked them and watched them leave. She watched them get into their
cars. She watched as each car drove down the winding avenue until each had
disappeared. She stood at the window watching. Suddenly she was bogged down
with fatigue. She sat on her favorite wingback in her room and cried. Cried and
cried. Why the emotion and tears? She didn’t know. The last time she checked
she had earned enough money—what she had hoped for—more than four thousand
dollars. Four thousand dollars…four thousand dollars…shouldn’t she be happy?
She had reached her goal! Somewhere deep in her mind a thought was bobbing in
and out. It was a vague thought, but a strong one. It seemed to vie for
attention. The woman closed her eyes and tried to formulate it. She fidgeted in
her chair and cried some more. Her neck seemed weakened from the emotion and
could hardly hold up her heavy head. She let it drop back onto the lime green
wingback. She let her head swing from one side to another in agony. What was
happening to her, she wondered. What was she missing? She had what she had
hoped for, but why was she in despair? She searched longingly to find solace in
the familiar surroundings she had always known, but somehow it seemed empty. Charlotte
could not think clearly and she cried herself to sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Meanwhile, each of her children
wondered and marveled in their minds as they drove home. Each knew that
material things were not as important as the real things—real things being God,
family, and friendships. But they also knew that material things are a
beautiful way to express the real things. Each one came to the conclusion that
day after the sale that they would always try to be cautious of their motives
as fallacious motives may crowd out the most important things that constitute
the greatest happiness. The sale meant something deep for them that day. The
sale meant selling the connections to family, both the living <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> the dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-1623249696222593962015-03-16T03:50:00.002-06:002015-03-16T03:50:18.420-06:00Two Poems<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pondering on Past Mistakes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pondering on the past mistakes, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sometimes let the negative thoughts possess me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They overpower me, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sending me in a downward spiral. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Groping for goodness to hang on to, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sift through the negative, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remembering somehow its fallaciousness, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And distortion from truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On occasions, my children talk <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of their memories <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And speak only of happy times. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This happy talk arrests me unfailingly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder how they remember not my errors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turn I to the Almighty in question,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My God,” I implore, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dost thou bless me twice?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once to blind my children from my blunders,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And once more when I am old <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to hear from them only the good?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Self Mastery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ancients say I must seek To Kalon,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The highest beauty--moral and physical<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To become what I was created to become <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and beautifully done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The medievals assert I must correct my errata’s<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My savior declares, "be ye therefore perfect, even as I
am"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who is my god and my director? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I, effortlessly, follow the hellish foe<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ease, laughter, cloaking my faults<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frenzy fit<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Down to my Addictions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Away from my Happiness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Justify the profane for humor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the ideal I grope<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, Heaven, please hear me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The law of the Lord is perfect, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Converting the soul: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The testimony of the Lord is sure, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Making wise the simple."<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hone my Virtues<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soar high to my completed Teleios <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upwards I fly toward completeness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus, the Rock of my salvation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Complete<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> Psalms 19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-55062120007303494422015-03-16T03:30:00.004-06:002015-03-16T03:31:19.259-06:00The Great Gatsby---Ramblings...<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Why is this book a classic?</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">At the beginning of the book, my question was sincere with
yearning, however, by the time I finished the first chapter, I was irritated
that I was even reading the book because of its obvious lack of substance and I
asked the same question above judgmentally and indignantly. Over the next few
chapters I was pushing myself with repugnance to read it to get it over with
only to get a grade—I was certainly not enjoying it or thinking that it had
anything to do with me and I still could not fathom why, on earth, it could be
a classic! At last I finished, but was taken aback by Nick’s observation about
the green light and the rising of early America and the comparison that he made
with the green light Gatsby adored from across the bay. I finally began to make
a connection. What was the connection? Both signified a search for the American
Dream. Additionally, I was interested in Nick’s geographical movement “back” to
the Midwest and how it connects with the idea that the founding generations of
America had traveled west to freedom. Nick, too, was travelling back to a land
more free than the east—I surmised that the Midwest was a symbol of moral
virtue and liberty of the New World, whereas the east was a symbol of opulence,
greed, power and social class struggle; the same thing one would find in 17<sup>th</sup>
and 18<sup>th</sup> Century Europe. In conclusion, I found the answer to why
The Great Gatsby is a classic—It is a classic because it exhibits the unending
struggle for freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Only can these two things be
real if they are founded upon the Judo-Christian principles. Poor Gatsby and
his crowd sought their happiness through money and greed. Nick realized that
happiness comes only through living ethically and morally. Another reason I
would call this book a classic is that, just as in any classic, </span>you get
to see yourself as others see you and see others as they see themselves.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Compare The American Dream of our
Founders and the new American Dream of the 1920’s.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The American dream is abundantly boundless with opportunity
and prosperity. In contrast, Fitzgerald’s novel exposes the “new” American
dream with all its limitations. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is
the difference?</b> The first was founded upon the rock of God, freedom,
liberty and pursuit of happiness, the kind of happiness that comes when the
heart, mind and hand that produces it follows the godly and ethical standard
laid out in the Bible. The second is founded upon the sandy shores of money and
fame and false perception of the past. Gatsby wants to recreate the past by
returning to that glorious month he spent with Daisy. He does not realize that
by basing his decisions built on a false foundation, he lives in a befuddled quandary.
</span>“[Gatsby’s] life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he
could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he
could find out what that thing was....”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The new American Dream requires
us to reinvent ourselves, live in the past and glory in all the selfishness to
acquire everything in order to obtain our goals and yet, we never end up with
the goal nor the happiness we thought we sought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Fitzgerald was a genius to retell parabolically our American
Founding gone awry. In the same way that James Gatz wanted to reinvent himself
by raising his social status with money and greed, our pilgrim fathers set out
to reinvent their lives by leaving their fathers and their governments to
establish a new order founded upon God and liberty. In the end, the pilgrims
paved the way for the American Dream of prosperity, abundance and happiness.
For the reinvented Jay Gatsby, whose foundation was a false rendition of the
American Dream based on money and loose morals, he and his crowd ultimately
destroyed the path of prosperity, abundance and happiness. Fitzgerald exposes
the limitations of the American Dream when the foundation is built upon
immorality and bondage. Otherwise, the American Dream founded upon high morals
and liberty brings the greatest happiness and prosperity. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Glaring amidst the splendor and material extravagance, came
the decline of the American Dream in the 1920’s. The subtle tweaking of the
once true foundation turned to a love of money and fame that superseded the
noble and moral goals. Lavish parties, alcohol, greed, and the quest for
pleasure caused the degeneration of the once good social and moral values
portrayed by America’s founding fathers.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Compare this idea to Lenin’s regime to reinvent government
based on a proletarian uprising (actually a total control of the masses) or
later, Hitler’s regime to reinvent humans based on particular characteristics
of his own prejudice. One can say that all happy nations are alike, each
unhappy nation is unhappy in its own way.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>
And the unhappiness comes simply because life is based on any of the millions
of untrue and unethical principles, whereas, happiness is always and only based
on and a few simple principles—the laws of God (morals, ethics and liberty).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nick Carraway embodies the
conscience of the novel. He leaves Minnesota in the Midwest to pursue the bond
business in the east and gets entangled with Jay Gatsby, Tom and Daisy Buchanan
and Jordan Baker, the characters who embody the arrogance, greed and gaudy
wealth of the day. Although not perfect, Nick believes “Every one suspects
himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of
the few honest people that I have ever known.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> The
dishonesty of Jordan; the greed and lust of Gatsby and the carelessness of Tom
and Daisy disgust him greatly. In the end of the novel, he is alone, as all the
others have either fallen to their deaths or the depths of apathy, complacency
or moral degeneration. Nick turns westward and back home to his quiet, humble
circumstance where it seems that the morals and morale are held higher and
idyllic. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nick’s westward movement impressed me and caused
me to think of the 17<sup>th</sup> Century pilgrims and later the 18<sup>th</sup>
Century pioneers who both sought political and religious rest, in addition to
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Is the West where we will always go for
those precious commodities? Are the ideals, morals and ethics in the West?
Ancient History began in the East and moved westward first to the Greeks, then
the Romans, then throughout all of Western Europe, finally to the New World in
the west. It seems there is a pattern, but where do we go from here now that the
new west would be the East? Are we at the end of time now that we have no more
“wests” to go to for our higher knowledge? I do not know, but it appears that
until we know, we ought to follow Nick in a literary sense and continue our
studies in the great books of the Western World with an eye to seeking the
ideals, the high morals and the careful measure of our own characters that we
might remember that the road to happiness lies only in these </span>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Study Questions:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="line-height: 21.3333339691162px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Jay wants to reinvent himself. How is this an analogy of the culture of the 1920’s?</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 21.3333339691162px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> How does this book treat the problems of social classes?</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 21.3333339691162px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Compare the symbolism of the two instances of “green lights”. Once when Gatsby looks over across the bay at Daisy’s mansion and then at the end when Nick is pondering on the other green light. What is the significance of each and the difference between them?</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 21.3333339691162px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> What are the limitations to the American Dream and what poses those limitations? Are the limitations removed if the American Dream is founded upon certain principles?</span></li>
<li></li>
</ol>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald,
(Scribner:2004), Chapter 6, page 110.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> Based on Leo Tolstoy, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anna Karenina, </i>First line of the book. Original line goes like
this, </span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“All
happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald,
(Scribner:2004), Chapter 3, page 59.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-80215523253768961512015-02-03T21:07:00.000-07:002015-02-03T21:07:02.374-07:00What is my Raven?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
While pondering upon Abraham
Lincoln’s poem, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Childhood’s Home I See
Again,</i> I was struck by the vivid idea that our minds can filter out the bad
memories. I am not sure why. Is it to protect us from the destruction of
negative thoughts and to set us on a higher course? Edgar Allen Poe reveals
that destruction. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Raven</i>, reminds
me of how easily we get caught up in our negative thoughts. We hear something;
we feel something, then almost in a superstitious manner our emotions lead.
Instantaneously a flood of negative voices interprets the situation falsely
without our notice; we believe it and begin to perceive everything through the
gloomy perspective. Destruction is personified in the raven. At the beginning
of the poem, I carefully took note how Poe’s character transitioned from a
“safer” place to one more insecure by relying more and more on the environment
and the negative voices inside his head. One ought to be weary of fraudulent
negative voices and rely more and more on the sweet memories and of truth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
As I contemplated what to write
next I found that my mind was in a poetic mood after having read pages of
poetry in the last month. My thoughts and words soon evolved into a poetic
fashion as I considered the following thought: Memories can be “freed from all
that’s earthly vile.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> I
think of raising my first four children and how I made so many mistakes because
of a lack of knowledge, my inexperience and immaturity, however, they never
remember the bad as much as they remember the good, they truly are freed from
the earthly vile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pondering on the past mistakes, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sometimes let the negative thoughts possess me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They overpower me, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sending me in a downward spiral. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Groping for goodness to hang on to, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sift through the negative, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remembering somehow its fallaciousness, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And distortion from truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On occasions, my children talk <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
of their memories <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and speak only of happy times. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This happy talk arrests me unfailingly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder how they remember not my errors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turn I to the Almighty in question,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My God,” I implore, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dost thou bless me twice?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once to blind my children from my blunders,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And once more when I am old <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to hear from them only the good?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> Abaham Lincoln, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
Childhood’s Home I See Again</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-22727272063913233202014-07-18T10:44:00.000-06:002014-07-18T11:49:53.697-06:00LDS Homeschooling ConferenceGet inspired for the upcoming homeschool year at the LDS Homeschooling Conference!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From their webpage:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.020999908447266px;">"All are invited. The LDS Homeschool Conference is designed for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who homeschool, however anyone from any religion or public/private schooled families are invited. It will be held August 8th and 9th. The first day will be workshops and activities for both the youth and the adults. There will be a talent show this night – open to everyone. The second day will be our keynote speakers and a catered lunch will be provided for all adults and youth. There will be time for interaction and discussion. That night will be a youth dance. On both days there will be time set aside to communicate with leaders in the area, ask and answer questions and many vendors. For lunch there will be concessions or place to eat your own lunch outside. There will also be displays of art and inventions through out the event."</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.020999908447266px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, arial, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.020999908447266px;"><a href="http://ldshomeschoolconference.com/event-registration/" target="_blank">Come register here!</a></span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-928747793008178542014-06-19T20:05:00.000-06:002014-06-19T22:42:44.104-06:00What Do Our Church Leaders Say About Homeschool?A good friend just asked a sincere question; what our Church leaders (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) say about homeschool. I was happy she asked me. This is what they say. They do not say one way or another. They want you and I to decide what we want to do and then they plead with us to pray for inspiration. The most they have ever said is that it is the sole responsibility of the parent to educate their child, however, they will not ever say how you are to be responsible for it. Only you, your spouse and the Lord with the Spirit can decide.<br />
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The Ensign of May 2010 is chalk full of good advice for teaching children. It was this general conference that helped to heal me from all the torment I was getting from my loved ones for my choices. However, nowhere in this General Conference did our leaders point out to me or you whether homeschooling or public-schooling is best. Nowhere! That answer is not for them to tell us. They tell us to work out our thoughts, ponder them and to pray.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
How do we pray for an answer like this? The Bible dictionary discusses prayer and in the last part of it it states how specific we are supposed to be. My prayers have become extremely specific and then so have my answers. It is incredible to see how the Lord is just waiting for us to ask specific questions and communicate our specific desires before he will do any thing to help us. The responsibility is all on us! </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This brings me to another interesting thing I have discovered: asking questions of God. Think about the long time between the Savior’s death, which caused the eventual destruction of the Primitive Church, and the Restoration. During that time, no one was asking God questions. They thought that they knew everything that the Lord had revealed and they continued on that path until the Reformation when Calvin and Luther began to ask questions--only they didn’t ask questions of God, they only asked questions among themselves and their associates. Thus, God did not answer his people throughout that long dark period we know as the “dark ages” nor did he answer questions from the Reformers because no one, not even they asked Him! The queries of the Reformation gradually opened the gates to the Restoration when a little boy of 14, living in a world that finally asked questions once again--asked a question, not of men, but of God. Few had done that for over 1500 years! </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I must pause and exclaim that this is huge! What kind of power does our Heavenly Father give to sincere questions? All the power there is! Look at this for instance, after Joseph asked his question and got an answer, he forgot to ask a question for three years. He heard nothing from God. Nothing. Then one night, he thought about the first vision again and prayed asking God if he were to be doing something about the knowledge he received those three years prior. That night the Angel Moroni came to visit him three times and the next day twice. From there on out, whenever Joseph received word from God it was because he inquired of the Lord--he asked a question. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Skip ahead to the time I was twelve and was babysitting a family in Lawrence Kansas, when an announcement came, interrupting a TV family movie we were all watching. President Spencer W. Kimball had just announced to the world that all worthy males, regardless of race, could hold the priesthood. This was huge! Not long after, we heard that the prophet had gone before the Lord with a question and the Lord had revealed to him what we all learned that eventful night. I ask again: How much power does our Heavenly Father place on the act of a single question? He places all his power there. He is waiting for us to ask, he is waiting for us to find the boldness within to ask the pivotal questions of our lives and of our responsibilities. He will not send anything unless we ask. The scriptures give the process by which we get our answers: "Ask and ye shall receive,” "Ask, and it shall be given unto you." I have never read a scripture that says, "Ye shall receive before you ask or even if you do not ask." That would be silly!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So, in summary, the prophets and apostles tell us that only we, the parents, have the responsibility to educate our children. Then, they, the General Authorities, will NOT tell us how, but the next step is to ask God! We ask the question and He will surely give us the answer as sure as He gave an answer to each and every one of his children on this earth, including Joseph Smith.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
That is the formula! And to add in our friendly on-going discussion—we must never fall prey to that worldly conveyor belt that goes along and fits parts onto us and our children without our clear conscience and without our “thinking” caps on. We all fall prey to this when we get too comfortable in what we are doing…this is the test! And to pass the test, we must pray for our INDIVIDUAL answer. Sometimes that answer will be that a child ought to be in the public school system, sometimes not. Our answers are all about the questions we ask.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-19766338524394122342014-04-30T11:46:00.005-06:002014-04-30T11:53:37.017-06:00What is the role of science, art and religion in the ethics of society?<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><i>"We have no government armed with </i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><i>power capable of contending with human </i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><i>passions unbridled by morality and religion." </i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><i>—John Adams</i></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"> Ethics is the science of morals. Morals inform manners and manners
make up the character of a man. If ethics is the powerful foundation of the
character of man, would it not be wise to inquire what it is that informs
ethics? What is the role of science, art and religion in the ethics of society?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Religion claims to form the lifeblood
of societal ethos, demonstrating a strong correlation between societal virtue
and religious observance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other
hand, science undertakes the search for truth without mysticism. Finally, art
is the cultural expression of truth. All three seem to fight each other in a
battle of truth and justice. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">The role of science in ethics is to reduce ethics to a science for
business and corporations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The secular
world is created in order to divide the divine from the human with certain
rules of conduct written and enforced. Science is the facts proven true.
“Science and technology conferred a new value upon fact and created a new
cultural type—the fact-gatherer, the fact-treasurer” which became the new
popular character in society.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a> For Sir Francis Bacon,
science was a study divorced from art and morals. He condemned the conception
of “contemplating the truth” as a study of knowledge. This ushered in the
modern era that everything, including human nature, is based on scientific
experimentation.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[2]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a> Furthermore, Einstein’s
theory of relativity had great influence upon not only the scientific world,
but on morals and religion. The idea that all things could mean something
different for each individual was the new morality. Who needed the old prophets
and the old systems? The new morality meant that ethics could be re-written
according to each man. This proposed a great moral dilemma: with God out of
sight and out of mind, who would be God? The nature of man is always changing
from ordered to disordered, however, the nature of God invites man to change
from disordered to ordered. Without God, man would spiral downward into a
disordered wasteland, but a wasteland with only relics of human ethics.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">The role of art is to enhance life, says Nietzsche. Art is used as a
tool of inspiration to help its beholder remember something higher and more
noble. Collectively, art is a reflection on the culture of society and as
modern man has been gradually doing away with God, so has art been gradually
doing away with the ideal, the good, the true and the beautiful. Only an
unemotional skeleton of societal duties is all that is left of ethics when the
good, the true and the beautiful are lacking. Art affects people and people
affect art. Art reflects societal customs as Henry James has said, “art is our
flounderings shown” and yet it still has the power to change our customs, for
good or evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Great art has the power
of transfiguring the aspect of the world,”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[3]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a>says
Jacques Barzun. It, then, could be said that art has the power to impart the
good in ethics. As long as there remains a moral people who demand moral art,
art will transcend the world to inspire us to contemplate the sublime.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">The role of religion is to inform individuals and groups of what is
right and correct according to a divine set of laws. As religion teaches the
observance of the good and the true, it then expects its people to be agents of
choice and to be susceptible to the consequences of those choices. Religion
sets the moral basis for making moral choices. History is embellished with the
stories of moral choice and action encouraged because of religious observance.
Religious communities have demonstrated heroic acts of disaster-clean-up; have
set the standard on moral issues from abortion to defining marriage; have
formed associations to help lift third world countries and have inspired
parents to raise their children with good moral character. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">It is important to note the special characteristic of religion, that
there must be and will always be a higher standard set by God that transcends
all human law. If this were not so, then any man could set his own “divine” law
and live accordingly at the expense of his neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The law of relativity must be absent in
religion. James Russell Lowell artfully wrote, “Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne,— Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind
the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.”
It is religion that ultimately teaches truth. Humans are continually
constructed, mended and reconstructed through the scaffolding of Truth, if they
will assume it to be so, afterall, they have a choice.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">Science is a means of discovering and demonstrating the material
truth, art is a means of sensorial communication of truth, and religion is a
means of delivering godly remembrance of truth and redemption from the false.
Ethics are influenced by all three vying for the divine position. However,
rarely is religion the strongest force of the three. “Art and science...become
dogmatizing rivals about who owns the truth--a rivalry that does not keep out
envy, trespass, compromise, and confusion.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Cambria; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[4]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a>
In contrast, religion, in the truest sense, inspires mankind to love, serve and
lift one another, which ultimately has the supreme influence on ethics.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;
color:black;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Barzun, The Use and Abuse of Art, Princeton
University Press: 1973, 100</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Adler, Syntopicon, Art</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Barzun, The Use and Abuse of Art, Princeton
University Press: 1973, 74</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="normal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1161251918948191630#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ibid., 99</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-79214407754297237022014-04-24T08:12:00.001-06:002014-04-24T08:12:08.403-06:00What is the Painting that Most Reflects Me?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-30d05625-9413-0814-1f04-fb74727b990f"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Aoa-xOCTzsj_Y-GI3GTvaVVQ1Pqp3dZxWs7eA6pd3kk1So8f8TGC7d-2P1qRkcp7Y1XVkS0zYhehTG7UxNiJiN8BLO8DdfIgOdba_Mdb_MaaaEu16VM76StNiJRcHkP0oQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kauffmann-cornelia2.jpg" border="0" height="349px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Aoa-xOCTzsj_Y-GI3GTvaVVQ1Pqp3dZxWs7eA6pd3kk1So8f8TGC7d-2P1qRkcp7Y1XVkS0zYhehTG7UxNiJiN8BLO8DdfIgOdba_Mdb_MaaaEu16VM76StNiJRcHkP0oQ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none;" width="434px;" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Baroque/Rococo era is to excess and decadence as the Neo-Classical is to the fundamental and moral revival. With the discovery of the ash covered Pompeii, came the rediscovery of the ancient Greek and Roman virtues of prudence, temperance, justice and courage. This moral resurgence is reflected in the art of Angelica Kauffmann’s Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi as she places greater love upon her children than upon the treasures of the world. Children are eternal. Families are eternal. Souls are eternal. Cornelia kindly, but boldly sets forth her fundamental belief of the enduring principles that preserve civilizations.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love this painting because it portrays the role of an attentive mother who understands her influential role in guiding her treasured children to become principled leaders in society. It is often a great sacrifice for a woman to leave the things of the world for a time and put her full focus on the guidance and teaching of children, but the result is usually far greater than the treasures the world has to offer. Cornelia understood this exultant end when the other woman asked why her clothes were not elegant or why she did not adorn herself with jewels since she had such a wealthy husband. Of course, Cornelia expressed to the woman that she had no need of worldly treasure or jewels, for her children were her greatest jewels - her treasures.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another reason I love this painting is that it reflects a major turning point in my life as I struggled past the conventional and status quo to a better place in order to think for myself and do what was right for my individual family. This change brought bitter enemies for a time, but those same people eventually perceived the confidence deep within me that the rich woman sees, but does not understand yet in Cornelia. It is a confidence that has potential to lead others to think outside the box and discover new ways of seeing our purpose in life.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1161251918948191630.post-34452587813822791482014-04-23T13:54:00.000-06:002014-04-23T13:54:10.011-06:00Why Should We Study Art?Our family recently went to visit the Museum of Art at Brigham Young University, who is sponsoring several originals of Carl Bloch, Heinrich Hofmann and Frans Schwartz in their <a href="http://sacredgifts.byu.edu/exhibition/" target="_blank">Sacred Gifts Exhibition</a>. Some paintings have taken their very first trip ever, from their home at the Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark. All of us were touched by the beauty, the feelings it provoked within us and the serenity of Christ's life, Atonement and Resurrection as depicted by these great painters. What a privilege it is to have opportunities to view the works of masters and especially to have working relations with other churches and people all over the world.<br />
<br />
I have been reflecting on the subject of art and its place in our world. Why do we go, even travel far, to see it? Why does it have such a hold on us? The obvious is that it brings beauty and refinement, but is that all? What is art? Why do we study it?<br />
<br />
Someone has asked, What is the first thing we know about man? His Art. The Cave paintings in France and Spain tell us more about the first inhabitants than anything else we have found. Man has always expressed himself with art and as Cuban artist, Pablo Picasso once said, "Primitive sculpture has never been surpassed."What, then, is art? Is it communication?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0