Individual Presentations

Emily's presentation was on the muses, especially Terpsichore, the muse of dance. She was a dancer with the Dance Syndicate in Lewistown, and Janet Luciano is her Terpsichore. She showed slides of dancers (including my little sister!)

Dan's favorite mythological character is Daedalus, so he talked about him and Icarus. He compared the redemptive power of art to finding a twenty dollar bill in your pocket - more valuable when you rediscover it. He also made the connection between Daedalus and Icarus and the song "Carry on My Wayward Son" by Kansas, as well as between the labyrinth and war.

Jared used Calvin from the cartoon Calvin and Hobbes to illustrate and elaborate on the five conflicts in Antigone.

Jon talked about Perseus, Atlas, and Andromeda. His point was that love conquers war.

John used J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye to talk about the five main conflicts in Antigone. Individual (Holden) v. Society, Living v. Dead (Allie), Young v. Old (being the "catcher in the rye," protecting the kids and the adult world), Men v. Women (Sally), Men v. Gods (his loss of faith).

William is a storyteller, so he has a chance at immortality, because stories can make one immortal. Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain of youth in Florida (which is why old people go there). Actually, the story is what is immortal and the author rides on the coattails. But, people don't cease to exist, they just stop having new stories.

Mick's car broke down, and through a series of events, he ended up with the "wrong" book, which actually turned out to be the right one. The book was Walkabout by James Vance Marshall, and it is about the Aborigines' rite of passage in Australia. Apparently there are many references to classical literature in the book. Coincidence is Providence. And, walking gives one time to think, so you are more likely to have more epiphanies.

Interjection from Dr. Sexson: read Songlines by Bruce Chatwin, journalist in Australia. One doesn't have to wait for something to happen - the land has been demarcated. It is a musical score. So, we should not only walk around, but walk around singing.