The Study of Books and Movies

English: Lesson 175 Studying American literature: print vs. movies. The Ron Paul Curriculum American Literature English course has been divided up into two parts; classic books, and second, classic movies. Most English courses that I have taken before the RPC had me read a total of 4 books and a couple of news articles to …

Good stories deserve a little embellishment

English: Lesson 165 Quiz Show did not tell the truth about key historical figures. Did this break the commandment, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness'? Quiz Show (1994), directed by Robert Redford, is a movie based on the 1950s Twenty One television show scandal when it was discovered that the producers of the hit game show were feeding correct …

Unearned Grace in Tender Mercies and Driving Miss Daisy

English: Lesson 160 In what ways are both movies about grace: gifts unearned by the recipient? Tender Mercies (1983) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989) are films about two people who didn't expect grace from the world but are given it. Both films won an Oscar for best lead actor and actress; Robert Duvall in Tender …

Businessmen vs. Actors

Economics: Lesson 150 Why do voters accept the riches of movie stars, but resent the riches of businessmen? Everyone has a favourite movie star. Little children love certain cartoons, and adults love certain block buster actors. It isn't often that you come across a person who says, my favourite person is the rich guy who …

The 1930’s Created the Modern “Movie Experience”

English: Lesson 30 Would You rather watch a movie alone in a theatre or online if they cost the same? The 1930s saw the beginning of "talkies", movies with sound and actors speaking lines, and they were revolutionary. The sound allowed for an entirely new experience, with emotions being conveyed in multiple ways: through the …

The Gift of O. Henry

English: Lesson 110 O. Henry, London, Bierce. Which of the three authors would you prefer to read on your own time? I remember reading O. Henry's short story, The Gift of the Magi (1905) when I was little during Christmas. I had got a book from the library and the first picture was of a beautiful woman …

Why read Mark Twain?

English: Lesson 105 Would you read more of Mark Twain's writings even if they were not assigned in a course? Why or why not? Mark Twain is one of those authors that everyone has heard of, whether or not they have read his work or not. But what makes Mark Twain different from the rest …