Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Homework and Presenter Questions (for homework do two):

1. On p. 34, Folly says, "I ask you, can someone who hates himself love anyone else?  Can he get along with anyone else if he is always at odds with himself?  Can he bring pleasure to others if he is demanding and displeased with himself?"  Do you think she is right?
2. On p. 42, Folly tells us, "The wise man retreats to the books of the ancients, and there learns mere verbal trifles.  The fool plunges into the thick of things, staring danger in the face, and in this way (unless I am badly mistaken) he acquires true prudence."  She is saying that the only people who really accomplish anything in life are the fools who don't think first, and goes on to give us a number of examples.  So, do you agree or disagree, and why?
3.  On pages 50-51, Folly claims that learning (particularly "book learning") is a plague to humankind, and that people would be much better off without it.  Explain the basis for her argument (along with the myth of a distant "golden age" in which no one had any such knowledge).  Do you agree or disagree?  You may choose to express your point of view in a humorous vein (in fact, I recommend it!). 
4. Folly says on page 71, "But to be deceived, they say, is miserable.  Quite the contrary--not to be deceived is most miserable of all.  For nothing could be further from the truth than the notion that man's happiness resides in things as they actually are."  Do you agree or disagree?

Laurel Carrington carringt@stolaf.edu
Most recent update: January 26, 2012

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