1/14/15 Thursday Agenda

Turn in Godot Response papers

Parody on WFG

Discussion

Existentialism: 
a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.

Godot is among the most celebrated examples of what is called "Theater of the Absurd."  Absurdists argue that people today exist in a universe cut off from all roots: that they live in meaningless isolation in an alien world: that life has no sense, no significance beyond what the living may give to it.  Translating those philosophical convictions to the stage results not in a series of interconnected incidents telling a story, but in a pattern of images presenting people as bewildered beings in a universe they cannot comprehend.  Nevertheless, Godot is intended to be very funny in performance. It may help to imagine the main roles being played by Laurel and Hardy.

Laurel and Hardy Example
NY Times L and H doing WFG

Watch Seinfeld-The Chinese Restaurant Seinfield-The Chinese Resaurtant scene

1. Take notes on the plot while you are watching this clip. What really happens or doesn't happen? Pay attention to the dialogue. What do these characters discuss?  What do they argue about? What happens that highlights the absurdity of daily life?  Are there any serious reflections about life and humanity?

2.  Notice how names of characters change... characters are unable to commit to any course of action...dialogue and absurdity occur... characters switch rapidly from serious questions and reflections on life to trivial bickering.

3.  Make comparisons to "Waiting for Godot"

HW=
1. Read "Godot and the Great Pumpkin" write down three Level 3 questions for a Socratic seminar tomorrow and be prepared to discuss the article tomorrow in class.  

Godot and the Great Pumpkin

2. Read your Literature Circle book