What you might consider is the role of virtue, or the contemplation of things that transcend our immediate present. For example, it might be worthwhile to juxtapose the Titanic scene with that in Cinderella Man.

Answer these questions

1) Other than the general quality of its cinematography, why might Matthew Arnold or Theodore Dalrymple find the orchestra scene in the movie Titanic moving? Why do you think it is such a powerful moment in the film? (Even if you haven’t seen it, you should be able, via context clues, to understand its meaning.)

2) Similarly, why is the scene from Cinderella Man representative of “culture,” at least as we have defined it thus far. What you might consider is the role of virtue, or the contemplation of things that transcend our immediate present. For example, it might be worthwhile to juxtapose the Titanic scene with that in Cinderella Man. In the former, the orchestra would typically be played for “cultured” people – those with refined taste, probably at least some wealth and education, etc. However, Cinderella Man represents the lack of all those things – the boy stole meat out of fear that his family’s financial situation would break them apart. Conversely, in the movie Titanic, we see, like Arnold does, that material possessions and class status are NOT necessarily what constitute culture. You should be sure to use this week’s readings to help inform your answer.

3) What is the importance of culture for Theodore Dalrymple? What, in your own words, is it that we have to lose? What of what Dalrymple writes resonated with you? Why? Did you find any of his examples or ideas relatable? Why or why not?

Nota Bene: As always, be sure to use specific references from the text to help inform your answers. These writing assignments are meant to generate thought about the ideas we are discussing but also to evidence active reading and reading comprehension.

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