Group Work on Octavia Butler's "Furor Scribendi".

Break up into small groups. Then discuss the following. Delegate one or more members of your group to prepare a summary of your group's discussion.

1. Who is the narrator? What is important about her? What particular problem is bothering her? What is "Furor Scribendi" about?

2.  What do the first two rules have in common? How could you apply them to an enterprise of your own (e.g., your art, craft, or profession)? What is difficult about following these two rules?

3. What are the second two rules? What do they have in common? How could you apply them to an enterprise of your own (e.g., your art, craft, or profession)? What is difficult about following these two rules?

4. What is the fifth rule? How could you apply it to an enterprise of your own (e.g., your art, craft, or profession)? What is difficult about following this rule?

5. What are the three impediments? Why are they impediments to progress? What is the "secret" to mastering Butler's art? Why is her teaching easy to learn but difficult to practice? 

6.  Think of someone you know who has succeeded at something. In what does their success consist?  Do you know how they did it?  If so, please explain briefly.  If not, please consider asking them and turning in the answer for extra credit.


M. Kagan, Senior Seminar on Heroism and the Human Spirit (PHL 403), 4/2005; minor revisions, 3/2007
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