The Elephant Man

Discuss your reaction to the Elephant Man considering the behavior of the following characters:
Bytes
Treves
The night guard

In the beginning of the film, a police officer who is closing Bytes's show down says, "freaks are one thing, but this..." suggesting that displaying John Merrick as a circus attraction is inhumane because he is worse than a freak.

The night guard says he is happy about what he did and feels no shame for his abuse of John Merrick.

Treves asks if he is a good man or a bad man.

And Bytes...

What are your thoughts? Reactions? How do you feel?

Which is your favorite film and why?

Discuss the film that you have most enjoyed AND explain what it is that you most appreciate about the film. Be LOFTY and reflect upon what you have learned through the story of the film and the ideas discussed in the group presentations.

Thicker than Blood

Both Kent and the Fool are determined to stand by the King, even when he banishes Kent and abuses the Fool with insults. Meanwhile, his daughters conspire to ruin him. Is the old adage that "blood is thicker than water" true? Discuss someone outside of your family whom you trust would never betray you.

But my daddy didn't love me...

It's clear to all in the King's family that Cordelia is the favorite daughter. In the eyes of Regan and Goneril, their father played favorites and his demise was their revenge. Do you agree? Is it the fault of a neglectful father that these two daughters behaved the way they did? Did dear old dad get what he deserved for loving Cordelia more?

Day Time Drama and King Lear

The story of King Lear is full of dramatic story-lines often found in day time dramas (or evening dramas for that matter). Discuss one of your favorite juicy/trashy/soapy shows and how the drama of your modern TV series is similar to the betrayal, tangled-love web, lust for power, back-stabbing events in King Lear.

Siddhartha

Discuss your favorite anecdote from the philosophy packet.
What does it say?
What does it mean?
What does it matter?
Why did you choose it?

Please do not write as if you are answering questions.