Today we discussed what makes a hero and if Spalding Gray fits the mold for one.
- Finish WordSkills Unit 1 words. The unit 1 test is on Monday. Students can receive extra credit for 1) coming to the review sessions at 8:00 on Friday (tomorrow) and Monday, 2) making flashcards of the word parts, and 3) having complete vocabulary notes.
- Hero brainstorming. We came up with a list of heroes (absent students should come up with a list of at least 10 heroes on their own). Then, each student picked one hero for which they defined
- What the hero’s qualities are (what’s he like?)
- What the hero’s obstacles are (villains, weaknesses, kryptonite?)
- What the hero’s goals or objectives are (what’s he trying to do? what’s his mission?)
- What the hero does to accomplish that goal (special powers? intelligence?)
3. Is Spalding Gray heroic? We discussed whether Spalding Gray classifies as a hero based on the reading and viewing. Many students said yes, in his own way: he protected his family from his pain, he lived through a horrific experience, he courageously shared his stories, he helped people in the same situation by letting them know that someone is is going through it. Many students said no: he didn’t accomplish anything to help humanity (my comeback to these students: doesn’t art help humanity? is Beethoven not a hero?), he feels too guilty about his past, he complains too much to be a hero (Dr. Gregory House also complains, though we think of him as a hero), in the end he lost the battle (he committed suicide).
4. Finish watching clip from Monster in a Box. Students finished their viewing guides and turned them in for a grade.
HW: Study for WordSkills test on Monday. Finish homework from last night if you haven’t!
ALEXA GARVOILLE 
Excellent Blog! Really great questions to be asking students. Sounds like you had a fascinating discussion with them. If I may add some thoughts about Mr. Gray (because I am/was a very sentimental fan of his): Considering more than Monster in a Box — when I think about the circumstances surrounding his death (mental illness and ultimately suicide — I struggled because, even though I didn’t know him personally, I found myself mad at him, because I didn’t see him as heroic. However, over time, I have decided that the world (and especially fans of storytelling) was better off with him in it and he is missed very much.
I wrote a song about him after he passed on to work through my feelings about the whole thing… the music is not online yet, but the lyrics are, on my blog… it’s called BIG BEAUTIFUL FISH… perhaps you will find it interesting.
I think I still struggle with whether or not he is a hero (like I do with JD Salinger, who seems to be a real S.O.B.) but ultimately, I decided I didn’t care… his art makes me want to be a better person.
Good luck with teaching.
BDW
Thanks so much for weighing in on the heroism of Gray. It was really difficult to convince anyone that he’s a hero, but in light of the many faults of Odysseus (delusional, egotistical, compulsive liar) I was surprised they were so resistant. I think you hit exactly what my students were feeling: they were angry at him. For complaining? For bringing up uncertainty? For pointing out that life is not easy?
I went to see Life Interrupted, his last show. Afterwards, I got him to sign a copy of Impossible Vacation. In my excitement, I attempted to explain to him how he’d changed the way I viewed art-making and its connection with daily life. But at that point I don’t think he heard a word I said; that, or he was slightly annoyed. He looked up at me in some confusion, having signed the book, and then walked away. I was frustrated and sad; I felt the same frustration he did at knowing that what stood before me was just the shell of what once was.
I’ll certainly check out your song. Please let me know if and when you put the music up. Maybe I could use it in class? (I have quite a captive audience!) In the meantime, this is a bit more on the academic side, but you may be interested in a piece I wrote about how Spalding Gray and Odysseus are heroic nobodies: Rebellious Reader.
hi,
I put a response to the message you left me on my site… I am new to wordpress and can’t quite figure out how to ensure that responses and conversations are tracked and displayed…
Did you find this?
I met Gray once as well when I was, like 23. I had just seen his show in Kansas City of Gray’s Anatomy. I told him that he inspired me to write and he said, “how old are you?” I said “23” and he said, “good, so I don’t have to worry about competition.”
There were beer bottles all around his dressing room and he looked very tired. I would be too if I had to tell my story, and relive it night after night. Yeah… I’d say he was a hero… a flawed one… and not one that I would want to model my life after, but, still a hero.. He rose to heroic levels when he was working and that’s more than what most people can offer.
I added a youtube video of a demo of the song with some footage that my brother edited. It’s on my site under the same blog entry as before.
Okay, checking out “Rebellious Reader” now.
I did a one-man show of his when I was studying acting in grad school. It was called “rivkala’s ring” and he had written for another actor… but it was still his stage persona. I just don’t know if he ever actually performed it himself. At any rate, I have a video of it… and now I have a mind to put it up on Youtube as well. Would you are anyone you know care to see it? I also have a 175 page thesis written on the thing… that was then… now I just make music.
I did get the message on WordPress. And you should post Rivkala’s Ring on YouTube. The more intellectual material on YouTube, the better.