From what I remember, The Odyssey is less about Telemachus and more about Odysseus and the idea of pain or suffering, which is the meaning of the latter’s name.

Multiculturalism does not simply mean what is recommended in U.S. schools but great works of art that are also like Homer’s epics. Examples include *Ramayana* and the epics of the Philippine south. For another example, those who enjoy *Don Quixote* might also appreciate *Tale of Genji*.

“Western civ” is not “debunked” and the classics are not considered “lame,” at least in many parts of Europe and Asia where ideas by thinkers like Sokrates and Confucius are still followed. For example, in Asia, the Confucian idea of self-cultivation is prominent, which explains why intellectual culture in some countries in the region thrive and where Asian classics are read with those from the West. In parts of Europe, significant amounts of money are spent on cultural institutions ranging from operas to public libraries. It is not surprising that in several countries in these regions poets, artists, scientists, and other intellectuals are praised.

Will it make you happier if I add, the ablity to read well AND reading, lead to success?

Actually I think you and I disagree on what Cal was saying. Maybe he’ll clarify it for us. I read what he is saying is that reading does not correlate to success.

So you’re in agreement.

Right?

If you disagree with his claim that reading itself ain’t correlated with success, go for it; but that’s a different issue.

Do you REALLY believe that reading can’t lead to success? Do you NEVER read the instructions on how to do or assemble something? When you and I have one of our frequent disagreements do you NEVER read information on the internet to try and prove me wrong?

Where in the hell did you get that info? I wanna see a source for something that outlandinsh.

I really agree with Ms. Mundy: Homer=OG (Original Gangster). I still can’t get enough of the Classics – The Iliad, The Oddessey, The Aenid. Even let them know what Armavirumque is (it’s the first line in the Aenid – “Of wars and a man I sing…).

“…there’s no evidence that reading itself (as opposed to reading abiligty) has any correlation to success.”

Do you see, Mike?

It’s not required and there’s no evidence that reading itself (as opposed to reading abiligty) has any correlation to success.

You’ve got to be kidding! I’d ask you to cite a reference but I don’t give a damn what it would say. It would just be garbage from Jay P. Green, the Fordham Foundation or the Heritage Foundation.

The ability to read well leads to success. If you can’t do it you’d better have a rich and well-connected Mommy and Daddy

So now you’ve got a group of kids who get hooked on one set of well-respected, widely-assigned books more readily than on other well-respected, widely-assigned books. Why *wouldn’t* you start with the works they relate to most, and build from there? Also, the skills of literary analysis and critical thinking about a text can be applied to any well-written text – and isn’t that the whole point? Tools to use in further reading?