I, ROBOT by Isaac Asimov

Will Smith in the 2004 movie version of I, ROBOT.

This is the third book we'll be reading. Our discussion date is February 25, 2010. The movie that we'll discuss along with the book is Bicentennial Man (1999).

I'll post more later here, but for now you're welcome to begin a discussion. Remember, the theme for this book talk is "What does it mean to be human?" This book and Pinocchio, along with the movies connected with them, really push us into the issue of how humanity differs from the most complex machines we can create.

ANTIGONE by Sophocles

Greek pottery -- a sentry bringing Antigone before Creon

This is the second piece we'll be reading. Our discussion date is February 11, 2010.

I'm posting this early in case some of you wish to begin a discussion. We have a video of the play available at the library for checkout. Even if you like reading plays, I would strongly suggest you also watch the video since this is a text that wasn't written to be read but to be performed.

This is one of three plays by Sophocles called The Theban Plays. They focus on Oedipus and his family. You'll often find them arranged in this order: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone. In once sense, that may be the best order in which to read them because that follows the action chronologically. In actuality, Sophocles first wrote Antigone, then Oedipus the King, and finally Oedipus at Colonus to tell the story connecting the first two. Our text places them in the order in which they were written.

I ask that everybody first read pp. 27-30 of the text. These pages give a summary of the story, all three plays. Then read Antigone. If you enjoyed Antigone and you feel the desire, read Oedipus the King, but that isn't required. Don't feel you must read Oedipus at Colonus unless you really want to. It does connect the two major plays very well, but it's not as dramatic as either of the others.

If you've read the summary on pp. 27-30, you'll know enough to put Antigone into context. So -- begin the discussion here anytime you wish.

As you read and discuss, consider this. Two quotations were said to be inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi:

γνῶθι σεαυτόν -- Know Thyself (gnōthi seauton in Latin alphabet)

Μηδέν άγαν -- Everything in Moderation (Medèn ágan in Latin alphabet)

What do these expressions mean you? Do you think they mean the same to the Greeks? What might they tell us about how the Greeks would have answered the question: "What does it mean to be a human being?"

SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THEM by Uwem Akpan

Discussion date -- January 28, 2010.

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan can be a difficult book to read in many respects.

First, it's difficult to experience, even second hand, the tragic lives of these African children. It's difficult to embrace their innocence, their naive and gentle acceptance of their lives. Like all children, they live in a world created by the adults around them, a world where they have little power. As we read, though, we must realize that this is how a significant population of the world exists -- struggling day to day for basics that we take for granted: food, clothing, shelter, education and right to simply exist.

Second, Akpan, in his dialogue, uses the pigeon English spoken in parts of Africa. This can sometimes be difficult to understand. As you read, you must accept that you're not going to grasp everything but, most of the time, you'll understand the basics. The language is often a combination of English, French, slang, and some of the indigenous languages of Africa. This is the reality of communication. If you were to really visit these places and talk with these characters, and they spoke this pigeon English to you, you'd not understand everything either. So, don't get discouraged or give up as you read. I've read a few of these stories twice, and during the second time around I've suddenly discovered the meaning of a strange word and made the connection. "Oh, now I know what that word means," I say to myself.

A hint -- I downloaded the audio version of this book for my ipod. It's read by African actors who get all the pronunciations correct and glide through this sometimes difficult dialogue with ease. You can either do the ipod version or order a copy of the CD's. I do recommend this if you really want to gain a closer connection to this culture. Language is a key to understanding any culture.

Also, you'll find much on the web about this author. I've provided one youtube.com interview -- but you'll find many others online. If you have an ipod, you can download a podcast of Oprah interviewing him. So, enjoy the book, and share your thoughts, observations, insights and research with all of us on this blog.

WELCOME and GENERAL INFORMATION

The theme for this year's Seward Community Library Book Talk is "What does it mean to be human?" The books we will be reading ask us to consider questions like these:

What separates human beings from other forms of life?

Do these characteristics imply certain responsibilities?

What responsibilities do we have to ourselves and each other?

What is "evil?"

What is the nature of "law?" Are there "higher laws" transcending human law?

When is Civil Disobedience appropriate or, as some would claim, a necessity?

Sounds heady! But these questions will raise other questions and those, in turn, will raise even more.

This year we've connected a film to each book. One of our books is a drama, so we've selected a film version of that play. But the other films have themes that connect to each book. These films are available at the library and may be checked out by those participating in the book talk.

Below are the five books we'll be reading followed by the related film and the date of each discussion. Our meetings will be on Thursdays in the basement of the Seward Community Library from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

January 28th -- Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas)

February 11th -- Antigone by Sophocles (A film version of Antigone)

February 25th -- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (Bicentennial Man)

March 11th -- Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (Artificial Intelligence)

March 18th -- The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb (Bowling for Columbine)

PHOTOGRAPH by Doug Capra. Sunrise on Resurrection Bay, Alaska, December 6, 2009 (c).