We’ve read three stories so far:

• “‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktock Man” by Harlan Ellison
• “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
• “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. LeGuin

In the first two we are presented with protagonists (heroes? rebels?) who are less than successful in their endeavors. The last story presents us with a whole community that seems idyllic but requires the pain of a child to sustain it.

Your goal by the end of this is to write a thematic comparison of the three works (or four, if you decide to read the final story). Right now, you should look over your annotations and make note in your journals of any connections you find. After this, take a step back (watch some Netflix, eat dinner, mow the lawn) and look at your connections. Is there a pattern? Is there an ethos emerging? Are there any outliers?

I will miss part of class tomorrow to take a group to RSU, but will likely be back by the end of the hour. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll have done.

You guys are great.

A Brobdingnagian beer company is closer to becoming reality, as Anheuser-Busch InBev has worked out terms to buy its biggest rival, SABMiller, for more than $105 billion.

Source: Anheuser-Busch InBev And SABMiller Agree On Merger Terms : The Two-Way : NPR

Great class today. If you managed to lose your copy of the reading between the class and reading this, you can find a copy here. Make sure you’ve gone over your annotations tonight, defining any unfamiliar terms and thinking about what the author is trying to say.

If that last bit seems unclear, don’t worry! We will discuss it throughout class tomorrow. In the meantime, you can simply write questions (or question marks) next to passages that are unclear.

As always, email me with questions!