The Big Lebowski - a postmodern quest?

It has been argued that in postmodern times it is no longer possible to do anything original. Did you find examples of that in "The Big Lebowski?

Apart from that, a dominant feature of postmodernism is irony and a feeling of discomfort in the presence of big emotions. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?

Moreover, many people are uncertain of their own identity and are struggling with the question of who they really are. Sometimes they are also unsure of the difference between copy and original. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?

Finally, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski is on a journey (quest?) through Los Angeles. Give examples of the clues and leads that he finds. Comment on his ability to interpret the clues and leads.

The Truman Show - The World is a Stage!

1: Write a brief review of the movie. Feel free to comment on elements that you liked or disliked, important scenes and things you found interesting.

2: What is the message of the film?

3: Was watching this movie relevant in connection with what we are working on at the moment? Explain (please)

4: What is Seahaven and does it remind you of something?

The Big Lebowski - a postmodern movie?

It has been argued that in postmodern times it is no longer possible to do anything original. Did you find examples of that in "The Big Lebowski?

Apart from that, a dominant feature of postmodernism is irony and a feeling of discomfort in the presence of big emotions. This often causes people to make fun of everything, including themselves, to hide their discomfort. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?

Moreover, many people are uncertain of their own identity and are struggling with the question of who they really are. Sometimes thay are unsure of the difference between copy and original. Did you notice any examples of that in "The Big Lebowski"?

Finally, you have extensive knowledge of the yuppie and Generation X. Is any of that knowledge relevant in connection with "The Big Lebowski"?

Shrek - A postmodern movie?

It has been argued that in postmodern times it is no longer possible to do anything original. The postmodern artist is only able to steal or borrow from previous works of art. Did you notice any examples of that in Shrek?

Apart from that, a dominant feature of postmodernism is irony and a feeling of discomfort in the presence of big emotions. This often causes people to make fun of everything, including themselves, to hide their discomfort. Did you notice any examples of that in Shrek?

Finally, many people are uncertain of their own identity and keep asking questions about who they really are.Did you notice any examples of that in Shrek?

The End of Men

Questions for ”The End of Men”

1: According to Rosin what has changed?

2: What did Ronald Ericsson create and what were his ideals about men?

3: How is his invention used today?

4: Why does Ericsson say: “why wouldn’t you choose a girl?” ?

5: Can you pinpoint any connection to Fight Club?

James Joyce Araby

1: Which aspects about Mangan’s sister are highlighted in the description on page 19?
Feel free to comment on the quotes “She held one of the spikes… she stood at ease” (the top) and “I may have stood there…below the dress” (2^nd last paragraph).

2: What does the main character hint at when he says that he “can interpret the signs”?

3: Comment on the symbolism in the description of the main character’s journey to the bazaar?

4: What had the narrator expected to find at Araby? What does he find?

5. Why is he so frustrated in the end?

Marillion: Gaza - a song that can change the world?

This song opens the 2012 album "Sounds that can't be made" and has received both a lot of praise and a lot of criticism.

Consider the following questions:

1: What do you think of the lyrics? Comment on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people are angry?

2: What do you think of the song? Explain why you like/dislike it.

3: Is this a song that could change the world?

Marillion - Gaza Lyrics

When I was young it all seemed like a game
Living here brought no sense of shame
But now I'm older I've come to understand
Once we had houses
Once we had land
They rained down bullets on us as our homes collapsed
We lay beneath the rubble terrified

Hoping.. Dare we dream?
We gave up waiting
For us, to dream is still a dream

When I woke up, the house was broken stones
We suddenly had nothing
And nothing's changed

We live, eight people, in this overcrowded heat
Factory-farmed animals living in our own sweat
Living like this is all my baby brother ever knew
The world does nothing. What can we do?

We will kick the ball
We will skip the rope
We will play outside. Be careful
We will paint and draw. We will say our prayers

Outside the pitiless sun bleaches the broken streets
The darkness drops in the evening like an iron door
The men play cards under torchlight
The women stay inside
Hell can erupt in a moment day or night

You ask for trouble if you stray too close to the wall
My father died ..feeding the birds
Mum goes in front of me to check for soldiers

For every hot-head stone ten come back
For every hot-head stone a hundred come back
For every rocket fired the drones come back

For thirteen years the roads have all been closed
We're isolated. We're denied medical supplies
Fuel and work are scarce. They build houses on our farms
The old men weep. The young men take up arms.

We're packed like chickens in this town of block cement
I get headache from the diesel. When it rains, the sewers too
I had no idea what martyrdom meant
Until my older brother.. my older brother
I'm sorry. I can't continue.

You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind, it is said
When people know they have no future
Can we blame them if we cannot tame them?
And when their hopes and dreams are broken
And they feel they might as well be dead
As they go, will we forgive them
If they take us with them?

Stay close
Stay home
Stay calm
Have faith

With the love of our family we can rise above anything
Someday surely someone must help us
With the love of our family we can rise above anything
Someday surely someone must help us
Even now we will go to school
Even now we will dream to dream
Someday surely someone must help us

Nothing's ever simple - that's for sure
There are grieving mothers on both sides of the wire
And everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at it - whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just aint right
It just aint right
It just aint right

We all want peace and freedom that's for sure
But peace won't come from standing on our necks
Everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at this - whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just aint right
It just aint right
It just aint right

It's like a nightmare rose up slouching towards Bethlehem
Like a nightmare rose up from this small strip of land
Slouching towards Bethlehem

It's like a nightmare rose up from this small strip of land
Slouching towards Bethlehem

Stay close
Stay home
Have faith

I can't know what twist of history did this to me
It's like a nightmare

With the love of our family
We can rise above anything
Some day surely someone must help us...