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. According to Butler, what is "positive obsession" and what is positive obsession's connection to human greatness?
2. How does her life and work relate to her claims?
3. Is she right? Why or why not?
4. What kind of role do you think she thinks literature in general, and science-fiction in particular, can play in human growth and social change? Why?
5. When Professor Bruce Ching is asked about a seminar or workshop he attended, he sometimes responds by explaining what he "took home from the workshop." What might someone take home from this essay?
M. Kagan, COR400G - Heroism and the Human Spirit,
Spring 2000; last revised10/29/2020.
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