We will culminate this year with creative projects based on your chosen archetype. So far, you have discovered many examples (at least 50) of your archetype in literature ancient and modern, in music, in film, and in television. You created a visual representation of this archetype, combining elements from all of these sources in an attempt to discover the “essence” or most basic characteristics. The papers you have just completed not only further illustrated the ubiquity of your archetype, but also showed that the way an archetype changes over time can also reflect changes in cultures (father and damsel archetypes after WWII is an excellent example of this).

Your final job in this project is to continue the story of your archetype. You have seen where they’ve been, you have seen how they are being portrayed; now it’s time to continue the story. The parameters of this part of the project are broad, so I will be working with each of you closely in the next week to guide your progress. The only requirement that applies to all projects is that you must tell a complete story that reflects your archetype. That’s it.

Some thoughts to get you started:

You may choose your medium (play to your strengths). Short story, fable, song (with lyrics), visual art (must tell a story; that is, it must be more than one “panel” long), movie script, television show pitch… The possibilities are endless.

As far as ideas go, you should look back at how your archetype has been/is being portrayed. Do you like it? If not, change it! The power to control your archetype’s fate is in your hands as the author. Want to take her back to her roots? Do it. Want to completely re-interpret it? You can.

Have another idea? Post it in the comments area; you may inspire others.

Find something like this on the Interwebs, on youTube, etc? Post a comment for the same reason.

I’m excited. We’re finishing strong.

on this session’s final paper, check out RottenTomatoes.com for articles on An Inconvenient Truth.  George F. Will is an op-ed columnist for The Washington Post, and has written a scathing counterargument to Gore’s movie. 

For the good of the community, post any other online articles you find.

Just following up on an announcement on Friday. I spoke with my friend again today about setting up a pen pal program between you guys and her elementary students. She said her students are really excited about the opportunity, and have already begun writing letters. Let me know if you would be interested in this. It will certainly not be graded, but it would be a great way to help them with their spelling, etc.

Also, for those of you who are fairly proficient or fluent in Spanish, she is looking for some high school students who would be willing to read to them on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The kids love this, but often are not read to at home; many of the students who speak Spanish cannot read it. I can get the information to anyone interested in this.

Oh, speaking of volunteer work, how did the race go? Were any of you able to attend? I want stories when we get back.

We will be watching The Island on Monday and Tuesday. I did not realize how perfect this movie would be as a blend of our two very different books. It is by no means great cinema, but the ideas and concepts are there for us to discuss. If you miss class, rent the movie and watch it at home. It is PG-13, so watch it with your parents permission. I will be monitoring the unnecessary parts in class.

I am watching The Last King of Scotland, and it has me thinking. First, the adaptation of “Me and Bobby McGee” kind of freaked me out. More than that, though, I had the following conversation with myself while dishing ice cream (chocolate chip, thanks for asking):

Me: “I can’t believe how easily both the president and his physician are corrupted by power.”
Me 2: “But the president was raised by the British military. This life is all he knows, and the British are not known for their diplomacy regarding other races.”
Me: “What does that have to do with the president’s actions? Can he not see that his brutality is wrong? How is it that the Scottish doctor is able to slough off the advances of the British official’s words of imperialism and control?
Me 2: “The Scottish dislike the British. Great Britain ruled Scotland for many years. Haven’t you seen Braveheart?”
[I didn’t actually say that, but the sentiment was there.]

Me: “But what about free will? Is it impossible to think that the president would see the wrongs of his actions?”

Me 2: “This has nothing to do with free will. People don’t spontaneously decide to change their actions. It is not about ‘doing what’s right,’ but about following the associations one has made in light of previous occurrences. This is the root of all human actions. In reality, no one would walk away from Omelas.”

Me: “What?”

Me 2: “I dunno. Something we read in college. My point is that people act as they have been raised to act. That does not mean that they cannot change, and that some influences don’t weigh heavier on a person’s decisions than others. It just means that a person does not spontaneously do anything. It is all in light of previous actions and interactions with others.”

Me: “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Me 2: “Possibly, but what is cool about this is the fact that novel actions come from the synthesis of associations.”
[Note: I have paused the movie, so I’m not sure how it is going to end, but I assume things are not going to go well for the king erm, president who “knows when he will die.” That never works out to one’s benefit.]

Me: “This is a massive bowl of ice cream. How long have we been scooping? Why not just eat from the tub?”

Me 2: “Nevermind. My point is that if the president is ever going to be able to help his people it will be through the impact of the Scottish doctor. As a Scot he has heard of oppression, if not felt it (being wealthy, I believe). This could affect the president, but his training and such with the British military will not just roll over during one conversation. This is his life. It is all he knows. Unless his faith in the Scot is very powerful, he will not change. Both men believe they are doing the morally right thing, despite the fact that the king isn’t thinking too hard about it.”

Me: “I see. Wanna finish the movie?”

Me 2: “Better.”