Friedrich Hayek The Road to Serfdom

Research Friedrich Hayek The Road to Serfdom. Apply his theories to The Stranger. Hayek’s political social commentary is probably, you might find, the exact opposite to Albert Camus’.

Apply his criticism to Camus and Kafka.

Jungian Analysis...[Hu]man and His Symbols

Examine and contemplate Jung's "objective psyche". Carefully consider his position, defining all abstract concepts, applying his work not only to Meursault but to Gregor Samsa, as well.

Please, go back and engage the older blog posts. You are missing out!

Mr. Whyte

David Hume and The Stranger

Consider Hume's "Treatise of Human Nature", which he later extracts and expounds upon the ideas he proposed in Treatise in a shorter essay entitled "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals".

Define core concepts before proceeding to make connections to Meursault.

Also, you can always post a blog after its incept date.

Mr. Whyte

Joseph Campbell's "Aesthetic Arrest"

Take a look at Joseph Campbell' ideas on the "aesthetic arrest." Whatdya think? Has this ever happened to you while admiring a piece of art or listening to a certain song or...? Do you think Meursault has an "aesthetic arrest" of sorts towards the end of his days awaiting execution? What's that he says about the world?

Mr. Whyte

Arthur Schopenhauer and Meursault

Consider A. Schopenhauer splendid essay called "On an Apparent Intention in the Fate of the Individual." AS always, define abstract terms, assigning to connotation to the figurative world and denotations to the literal; poetry and prose and never between the two shall meet.

St. Thomas Aquinas and The Stranger

Yes, the lovely thing about university is that we should have the capacity to think universally.

Research St. Thomas Aquinas. Consider what he has to say. Remember to define abstract concepts. This will allow you to truly understand major and minor ideas that comprise the literary canon. Also, remember to take a position. You must agree or disagree, proving "why" and "how."

Finally, you must draw linear conclusions by comparing what Aquinas was saying centuries ago to Meursault's character.

Mr. Whyte

Nietzche and The Stranger

Check out Nietzsche's philosophy. Consider what he says, then arguing AGAINST or FOR his insights, apply his argument(s) to Meursault in a single paragraph.

Tomorrow we take a look CSAN (Character, Setting = Action, Narration) Square with its internal motive the TM Core (Tone = Mood) in The Stranger.

Mr. Whyte

Philosophy 101:

Hello Folks! I want you to become well-versed on the greatest thinkers of human history (pun intended). Knowing, for example, major philosophers can better assist you along your literary journey.

For extra credit, I suggest you write a one paragraph abstract either on Camus and Sartre or Soren Kierkegaard.

I furthermore suggest that in your research that you begin using "Scholar Google", "Lexus Nexus" and other more collegiate-level metasearch engines.

Happy Hunting,
Mr. Whyte

Montclair High School, California
AP English Literature & Composition Class of 2009