Dear
Misfits,
Many
argue that the Tragedy of King Lear is Shakespeare's most overpowering
work. Our Misfits, though definitely not Shakespeare
scholars, agree that it is overpowering and declared it to be
one of the best books we have read. We found the play to
be a riveting portrayal of the suffering and disaster that resulted
from the character defects Lear displayed at the beginning of the
play. He foolishly divides his Kingdom among two of his least
deserving daughters. Then he sets up his downfall
by banishing his third and most virtuous daughter when she
offends him by not fawning over him in professing her love. He, like many
people of power, expected flattery at all times, showing himself to be a man
who values appearances over reality. By his ill-thought action,
he sowed chaos and discord throughout his former kingdom. As a result
of his actions he slowly loses his sanity and descends into madness.
We
asked ourselves if Lear learned from his mistakes? The answer seemed
to be, "Yes and No". He doesn't completely recover his
sanity or emerge as a better King. However, as he faces death
at the end of the play, we could see that his values have
changed. We saw that he slowly comes to understand his own weakness and
his insignificance especially when compared to the awesome forces of
nature. In the end, he has developed a certain humility and
he emerges as a caring, loving individual who comprehends how deeply he
has hurt his kingdom and those who loved him the most. As
he faces death, he declares that he would rather live in prison with
the daughter he has wronged than once again rule as a king. He comes
to cherish Cordelia's selfless love and places his love for her above
every other consideration. At the end, his defects are purged
but at terrible cost and suffering.
Now
to the future:
Our
next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 11, when we will discuss Out of
the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis. This is the first book
of Lewis' celebrated Space Trilogy. The story begins the Space
Trilogy with the adventures of the remarkable Dr. Ransom, a man who is
abducted by a villainous physicist and taken in a spaceship to the red planet
of Malacandra. First published in 1943, "Out of the Silent Planet
remains a mysterious and suspenseful tour de force." But
wait, there is more! We will meet to discuss this book at Claret Farm,
the new location of Loome Theological Books. Owner, proprietor,
bookseller extraordinaire, and fellow Misfit, Chris Hagen, has invited us to
have our meeting there. We appreciate this kind offer and the venue it
affords.
Our
meeting at Claret Farm will also be a Christmas Party for the Misfits. I
do hope as many of you as possible can attend and help us celebrate not
only our love of reading Catholic literature, but also to recognize the great
fellowship shared by men who love our Faith and the Catholic Church.. Our
book discussion and celebration will start at 7:00 pm. Please let me know
what you can bring by way of treats, delectable's, or something to
imbibe. (I plan to bring a mulled wine. I believe Misfit Druffner
will bring a Bourbon suitable for the occasion.) We will have a good time
as we begin our celebrations in anticipation of the miraculous birth of the
Christ Child.
Please come and help
us celebrate. And also, please let me know if you are coming.
And
finally, we will read the second book of the Space Trilogy, Perelandra
in January, 2014 and the third book, That Hideous Strength, in February,
2014.
May
God bless each of you,
Misfit Buzz
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