Exordium
J. R. R. Tolkien and the Five Dimensions of a Story
Every story, long or short, has five dimensions. They are usually called its 1) plot, 2) characters, 3) setting, 4) style, and 5) theme. We could call them respectively, the story’s 1) work, 2) workers, 3) world, 4) words, and 5) wisdom. “Philosophy” means “the love of wisdom.” So a Read more…
Exordium
Why Read Literature?
Writing in the Intercollegiate Review, Gary Olmstead answers the question, “Why Read Literature?” There were times during college when writer’s block threatened me with failing grades or missed deadlines. Scrambling for inspiration, I’d pick up a book—perhaps something I was reading for Western Lit, or a book I’d perused during Read more…
Exordium
Are we teaching too many books too soon?
My most recent article on Memoria Press’ blog: (more…)
Exordium
Schools should teach about Scrooge, not act like him
In my most recent article at Intellectual Takeout, I discuss the fate of literature in many schools today:
Schools seem to be placing less and less emphasis on humanities in general and literature in particular. Quality literature seems to be increasingly restricted to classes for gifted and talented students, the imaginations of the rest of the student body being relegated to a lower priority.
I discuss several factors that are at the root of this problem: (more…)
Exordium
C. S. Lewis’ List of Great Books
The blog A Pilgrim in Narnia has published a list of the books C. S. Lewis refers to in his book Experiment in Criticism, a book about how to read books. The list tracks pretty well the books that a person concerned with preserving our culture ought to read (or aspire to read): (more…)
Exordium
Does reading classic literature help you understand the emotions of other people?
by Martin Cothran
One of the contentions of those who defend the humanities is that a familiarity with classic literature improves interpersonal skills, and that, since most jobs, even in tech industries, involve such skills, an educational emphasis on literature is hardly irrelevant to the vocational emphasis many policymakers now think education should have. (more…)
Exordium
Read a Book and Call Me in the Morning: Does reading books make you live longer?
by Martin Cothran
How many times have you been asked why it is important to teach literature? How about this for an answer: It helps you live longer.
Exordium
What IS the Christian worldview? An introductory booklist
I have been giving a talk at homeschool conventions this year called, “What IS the Christian Worldview?” based on an article that recently ran in Memoria Press’ Classical Teacher magazine.
There are basically four parts to the talk:
1. How a lot of people use the term “Christian Worldview,” but few can define it
2. Where the term “worldview” comes from in the first place
3. The definition of the term “worldview”
4. What makes a worldview “Christian” (more…)