Meaning Socratic seminar and timed writing preparation
Our upcoming Socratic seminar and timed write will bring together the messages about meaning in
Sophie’s World, The Little Prince, The Stranger, “The Myth of Sisyphus,” “To be or not to be,” The
Matrix and I ♥ Huckabees. In order to prepare for our discussion, assemble and review all of your
materials from this unit. Write notes with specific textual references for each of the following questions
and bring them to class the days of our discussions (Monday and Tuesday, December 9th and 10th):
Overall concept of the discussion/timed write:
Imagine a discussion amongst all of the texts we have studied around the topic of meaning. What
perspectives would each present? What would they say enables us to find meaning in our lives?
Which approach do you think is most realistic? most practical? most useful for facing life's
challenges? most inspiring? most appealing?
Specific prompt choices:
1. Definition: What is meaning? How do the authors and filmmakers we have studied define
meaning? Which definition makes the most sense in your experience?
2. Character analysis: how do three different characters from the texts we have studied find
meaning in their lives? (select three that offer contrast as well as similarities) Who do you think
is/will be most successful in finding the kind of meaning you would seek in your life?
3. Literary technique: how do the authors and film makers use symbol and/or allegory to
communicate about meaning? In what ways do these techniques create a compelling message?
4. Philosophies: Compare and contrast the way rationalists, romantics and existentialists find
meaning. Explain your response using evidence from the texts we have studied. Which approach
appeals most to you and why?
5. Psychology: Is pain and suffering good? How can we find meaning in pain and suffering?
Provide examples from the texts that compare and contrast perspectives about suffering. Use
examples from your experience or from the world to give your argument additional evidence.
6. Epistemology: What is the value of deep questioning to find meaning? How is it helpful to be disillusioned? Explain
your response using a variety of evidence from the texts we have studied.
During our discussion, you will take notes and participate. The block day after discussion you will
complete an in-class unit final where you write an essay in response to one of these questions, drawing
evidence from 2-4 of these texts. You will be able to use all the materials you have created during this
unit. On the day of the writing exam, you will also hand in your portfolio of materials for a research
assessment. Your portfolio should be assembled in a two-pocket folder and include, in this order:
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Sophie’s World notes from “The Top Hat,” “Socrates,” “Plato” and “Aristotle”
The Little Prince study notes
The Little Prince symbols list
Romanticism notes from Sophie’s World (10/28)
Narrative beliefs essay
The Little Prince Socratic seminar questions and notes (11/4)
Existentialism field research interviews chart (11/5)
Exploratory writing about MEANING (11/6-7)
Study question responses for The Stranger part I (11/8)
Study question responses for The Stranger part II (11/13-14)
Existentialism background packet and notes (11/15)
Existentialism Lecture notes (11/18-19)
Existentialism and The Matrix notes (11/19)
“The Myth of Sisyphus,” annotated (11/20-21)
“To be or not to be,” annotated (11/22)
Notes for I ♥ Huckabees film study (12/2-12/6)
Meaning Socratic seminar preparation and notes (12/9-12/10)