Giving

We move into the holidays with gifts for others; we come through the holidays with our eyes on the future and our resolutions focused on new: new times, new year, new plans: gifts for those around us, gifts to ourselves.

Teaching overflows with gifts, often comments made by students that illuminate life far beyond the required readings. During one of our discussions, Lori commented, “There’s always that tug of ‘Do what you want,’ versus responsibility, ‘Do what you gotta do.’” We nodded in acquiescence, and I used Lori’s comment at the top of the exam page, and ideas about her comment in the exam directions:
Consider the four major readings of this semester: Othello, The Metamorphosis, The Glass Menagerie, and Neighbour Rosicky. Select one character from each reading. Discuss the character’s most significant decision and its consequences – for the character, other characters in the play, the play/story, the reader. Are the decisions of these characters what they want to do, what they believe they must do, what they are forced by others to do? Explain. Support your thesis.

There were many exams (aren’t there always); from those many a few stood out. Jody’s concluding comments stayed with me:
“Rosicky is a good, honest man. Plain and simple. His decisions are based on what he wants to do. All of his decisions are based on what he should do. There is no separation of the two. He does not have a conflict this way. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all be a little more like Rosicky? Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a Rosicky in our life? He does die at the end of the story, which is sad. However, we are all going to die someday. Rosicky makes sure everything is taken care of for everyone. He did what he had to, which is exactly what he wanted to.
“In conclusion, I believe we are defined by our actions in life. Some of the characters’ decisions were based on what they should do, while others were solely based on what they wanted to do. One was lucky enough to have both.”

During the holidays and the coming year, may our shoulds and our wants coalesce beautifully, in love and caring. May the peace of Anton Rosicky’s love for his family and his life; the selfless sacrifice and commitment of Gregor Samsa; the creativity of the Wingfield family; and the willingness to love and pursue dreams shown in the characters in Othello bless us all. Peace.