Modern Education

As we work over The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis, you might find this article on education to act as a useful summary/introduction to the book. The article itself refers to Lewis, but the example given derives from our contemporary educational disaster.

The site on which this article is placed is also worth looking at.

Eliot

T. S. Eliot is such a major figure in 20th Century culture that it would be impossible to cite even a partial list of useful works that make his own writings more accessible.

However, as a way into his "Waste Land," this article by R. V. Young does an excellent job of helping one see the grand view of Eliot's purpose in this most difficult poem, and the article also provides numerous helpful coments of specific lines and images.

A Helpful Resource

The web now hosts a huge number of reference works on just about any topic, so The Dictionary of the History of Ideas might not be the most amazing thing one can find online. But it is useful, so you might want to bookmark it for future use, even if your use of it is sporadic.

Take, for example, "The Faust Theme". It isn't as much fun as thumbing through a big, heavy book, but it can be useful for filling in gaps in one's learning.

Faust Resources

The figure of Faust is one of the most potent of the modern age. The number of movies, operas, novels, even comic books made from the Faust narrative is astonishing, and it makes one wonder why the Faustian set-up has been so compelling. As a way of gaining some insight into the many dimensions of Faust--especially in the dramatic forms given by Marlowe and Goethe-- this page of faust resources should be helpful to just about anyone.

Looking to join us next fall?

The Center is still taking applications for students for the fall. Please contact our director John Hodges at 901/229-9409, or by email at jmvhvi@bellsouth.net to set up an appointment to discuss details. We will offer lectures, one-on-one tutorials, group discussions, a schedule of attendence at plays, concerts, films, and other cultural activities, as well as travel. Come join us for a year's study of our rich intellectual and spiritual heritage.

Here are some pictures from our trip to Chartres -- statues of the disciples on the south portal, our crew at the north portal. Approaching Chartres from the NW.

The three Graces - 18th century depiction of the ancient Greek subject.

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Paris and London. The students are seated across from Buckingham Palace watching the changing of the Guard. There is a statue in the Louvre of Blaise Pascal contemplating a geometric figure, and below you see our students in front of the British Houses of Parliament.