Break up into small groups. Then discuss the following.
Delegate one or more members of your group to prepare an oral and written summary
of your group's responses to share in class discussion. If you were not present
in class for this exercise, you may complete it (in less than two pages) as a
typed assignment and email it to kagan@lemoyne.edu
1. Who is the narrator? What is important about her? What particular problem is bothering her? What is "Furor Scribendi" about? How does this essay relate to what Butler writes in the "Positive Obsession" essay?
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 (COR400G/PHL 403),
4/2005; revised 3/2007, 2/2014, 2/2016, 10/2019, 10/2020
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