CVSP 110 Final, Fall 2005

CVSP 110 Final Interpretation Exercise 26-01-2006 S. Khoury I. The Tree Of Life Eduardo Galeano (Uruguay) According to some old traditions, the tree of life grows upside down the trunk branches downwards and the roots upwards the top reaches down in the earth, while the roots look towards the sky it does not offer its fruits but its origins it does not hide under the earth what it has as deepest, as most vulnerable it throws it to the storms; it offers its roots, living fresh, to the winds of the world. that is life, say the tree of life. 1. Reread this E-Galeano sensitive poetic interpretation of life. What is life towards the 2. Respond to this vision 3. Judge these two different ways of understanding by identifying clearly your own position. OR II LAO-TZU [LAOZI] (sixth century B.C.E.) China from Tao-Te Ching [Existence is beyond the power of words] Existence is beyond the power of words To define: Terms may be used But are none of them absolute. In the beginning of heaven and earth there were no words. Words came out of the womb of matter: And whether a man dispassionately Sees to the core of life Or passionately Sees the surface. The core and the surface Are essentially the same. Words making them seen different Only to express appearance. If name be needed, wonder names them both: From wonder into wonder Existence opens. 1. Reread this myth carefully, and then state clearly the attitude towards language, specifying its relation to existence (creation). 2. Compare critically with the role and function assigned to language (=words/speech) in 1 or 2 of our assignments. 3. What is your own position? III: Research/Presentation 1. Summarize briefly and concisely your special research topic. 2. What are the lessons you learnt vis- -vis: a) The genesis of the universe. b) The relation between creation mythology and the culture that produced it. To what extent is the culture influenced/affected by its mythology? c) Diversity: Similarities and differences between your topic and our assignments (2 or 3). d) Evaluate your experience in this research: both individual and team work. G O O D L U C K!