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| Publicity photo from a silent film version of Pudd'nhead Wilson (1916) (Wikimedia) |
Note: We take for granted some of the most common "CSI"-type technology. But there was a time when fingerprint technology was unknown. This combines with a story of racial inequality to make one of Twain's more interesting novels.
Get Ready: What do you think might happen when a child is raised to believe certain things about himself, and discovers in his 20s that they just aren't true?
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| The Old Man of the Mountain, original of The Great Stone Face (Wikipedia) |
Note: This is a story of inspiration, and how a boy spent his life looking for genius in all the wrong places.
Get Ready: What kind of person might inspire you to greatness: a millionaire: A general? A politician? A poet?
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| Adventure, Feb., 1912 (Gutenberg Australia) |
Note: There was a time--before television, even before movies--when people got their entertainment from weekly and monthly magazines--stories we still read today. Here's one.
Get Ready: How important are symbols--flags, patriotic songs, and so on--to you?
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| Two heroes: Batman and Robin; and three villains Penguin, Riddler, and Joker (top) |
Note: The show Batman brought a whole new idea to the superhero genre: heroes could be funny!
Get Ready: Do you like superheroes? If so, who's your favorite? If not, why not?
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| (Wikipedia) |
Note: The best learning happens in an atmosphere of fun! And this program from the 1990s managed to offer up heavy doses of both.
Get Ready: Do you like science? Would you learn it better if it was presented in a fun, exciting way?
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| Uncle Sam on a U.S. Army recruiting poster (Wikipedia) |
Note: When we want someone to give up, we tell them: "Say Uncle!" But the word has lots of other idiomatic uses besides.
Get Ready: What does the word "uncle" mean to you (besides the obvious, literal meaning)?
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| Miss Kitty, Doc, Festus, and Marshal Matt Dillon (Wikipedia) |
Note: One of my dad's favorite TV shows--and mine, too!
Get Ready: Do you think cowboy shows or westerns are stereotyped--that is the good guy is perfect, and the bad guy purely evil?
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| John Carter and Dejah Thoris (Gutenberg) |
Note: Tarzan wasn't the only "manly man" created by Edgar Rice Burroughs: Meet John Carter, veteran Civil War officer and beloved of a Martian princess!
Get Ready: Do you fell "cheated" when an author makes something happen (like being transported to Mars and back) without explaining how?
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| From the poster from the 1955 film version (Wikimedia) |
Note: This smash hit on Broadway and. later, on the "silver screen," brought us such memorable tunes as "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!" and "People Will Say We're in Love."
Get Ready: Did you know there was a historic conflict between those who raise crops (farmers) and those who raise animals (ranchers and herders)? Can you imagine why this is?
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| Hans and Gretel skating (Wikimedia) |
Note: Mary Mapes Dodge's book is a wonder in many ways: an accurate portrayal of a country she had never seen, and a made-up "legend" that even people of that country believe!
Get Ready: What would you be willing to give up to see another person, perhaps a sister or brother, be successful?
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| "She, standing at the door, saw me, and thought I made, as I certainly did, a most awkward, ridiculous appearance" (Wikimedia) |
Note: "Founding father" Benjamin Franklin was in may ways "larger than life." His legend is enhanced by his constant writing and publication--often in promotion of his own virtues.
Get Ready: Do you know any good stories about the "first meeting" between a future husband and wife?
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| A cartoon dragon (probably not "Puff") (Wikimedia) |
Note: This sweet nostalgic story has been a favorite for generations--and it's fun to sing!
Get Ready: What do we gain by growing up? What do we lose?
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| A railroad bridge in Alabama (Wikimedia) |
Note: A Buddhist sutra tells us life is "a bubble in a stream, A flash of lightening in a summer cloud, A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream." No story I know illustrates the point better than this one.
Get Ready: What do you think happens in a person's mind at the moment of death?
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| Illustration from the first publication of the story (Wikipedia) |
Note: Another amazing story from the hand of Hemingway, this time about love and cowardice.
Get Ready: Is fear anything to be ashamed of? Must a person always be brave?
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| Artist's concept of the surface of Venus (Wikimedia) |
Note: Ray Bradbury's story reminds us that even if we find a planet with the conditions necessary for life, they may not be conducive to good mental health. Kids can be so cruel!
Get Ready: Have you ever really, really looked forward to something--and then been disappointed when it didn't happen?
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| Death Valley (Wikimedia) |
Note: Mary Austin's little book is a masterpiece of nature writing, a sure-fire antidote for city living.
Get Ready: What is the allure of deserted. lonely places? Why do so many seek "spiritual" experiences there?
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| Stage set of Catfish Row (Wikimedia) |
Note: Some of America's greatest tunes have come from the pen of George Gershwin; in popular music, this is his masterpiece.
Get Ready: Do you like jazz music? Classical? How about when they are combined?
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| Bearskin and the swineherd have a grand feast (Gutenberg) |
Note: As Bearskin's story continues, we see him overcome an adversary in much the same way Queen Esther overcame Haman (see Lesson #08-294).
Get Ready: Which do think is more important, physical strength or mental cleverness (though bearskin exhibits both!)
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| The she-bear finds the baby drifting in the basket (Gutenberg) |
Note: Howard Pyle not only illustrated and rewrote the stories of others, but also wrote a few of his own--though with heavy borrowing of common motifs. This one is sheer fun.
Get Ready: As you read, see how many plot elements you can recognize from other well-known stories.
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| "...across the farmlands..." (based on this photo at Wikimedia) |
Note: This devastating story by Ursula K. LeGuin asks the question: can the benefit of the many justify the abuse of the few (or even one)?
Get Ready: Look at the question in the "Note." How would you answer it?
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