Please view this film scene to listen to the poem Invictus (William Ernest Henley) recited by Morgan Freeman; read the poem slowly several times...study and reflect on each line...perhaps pause...and read again. The INVICTUS Poem.doc took on a different meaning for me the more I studied hardiness in post conflict societies, and even after visiting Robben Island and hearing personal stories from one of the inmates. Many of you may have seen the film Invictus, know about the history of Apartheid, the ongoing sanctions against South Africa, the oppression, racism & classicism that is still very vivid and visceral throughout the townships, yet the country and its youth embody hardiness principles towards healing, forgiveness, transformation, reconciliation, and resilience. I was greatly humbled and learned much during my research in Cape Town, SA. Knowing what you know about existentialism and hardiness, I encourage you to study and critically evaluate each word, every line and every stanza through the lens of hardiness. Take notes, highlight and comment in the margins on the words, lines, & sections that are meaningful to you. Next, please post a response to our blog expressing what the poem and/or specific stanzas mean to you now that you are studying hardiness? How does your initial face value impression change, enrich, deepen, shift when looking at this poem from a hardiness perspective? Discuss & engage with colleagues as you feel inspired.
1 comment:
It’s a good poem. I did some research and learned that it was composed by William Ernest Henry while bed ridden in the hospital seeking treatment for tuberculosis of his bones and, just after his foot was amputated.
All too often we find ourselves in cycles of negativity. We get into deep ruts (or at least I know I do). The pressures of our lives can seem to beat us, or as Henry wrote “bludgeon” us with a constant feeling of weight and stress. Although the cycles can “menace for years” as we continue to read and explore hardiness attitudes and adaptability there are tools and ways of thinking that give us the ability to morph the negatives or heavy aspects of our work and home lives and turn them into positives…or at least make them pleasant and bearable. I enjoy the upbeat aspect of looking ahead-it’s the reason I am here at Gonzaga and I enjoy thinking about “mastering” my own fate.
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