The Hero and the Underworld

A good teacher changes the world in subtle ways. We don't make laws; we don't win wars; we don't perform before millions. Generally we stand in front of a classroom talking. Talking and questioning, thinking out-loud, trailing off for an illustration here and an allusion there--that is the role of the teacher. Dr. Louise Cowan says, "It is the task of the teacher to educate the imagination, not the behavior, of the student. We are awakening, not conditioning." Imagination grows by the vicarious experiences found in history and literature. In line with this, Dr. Cowan has repeatedly emphasized that literature is a mode of knowledge. How often literature is misunderstood as a subject. We treat it like special foods: "Oh, I like this poem. I did not like the way that story ended." Can you imagine us viewing mathematics in that fashion: "I simply adore 64 as the sum of 8 times 8, but subtracting 10 from a 100 and getting 90 is simply not my cup of tea." We teachers read and teach literature best then when it is presented as experience--an everyman's experience.

The teacher then teaches best by doing lots of pointing. The teacher points to the good books, the great thinkers and writers, the best that has been written and thought. Like Virgil accompanying Dante through the Inferno, the teacher is keep the student progressing along the route, add some explanations, leave room for the student to experience the events, and then when necessary, carry them through some difficult parts, until the student can see the stars for himself.

I am by training and calling a teacher. I have no other saleable skills, no other ambitions, no other calling. Thankfully, I have many mentors. This past weekend, I had the blessing of being taught by one of the best and many of those who have learned from the best.

The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture sponsored the First Annual Summer Institute Symposium. The topic was "The Hero and the Underworld." The keynote speaker on Friday night was Dr. Cowan. Much of the mission of the Dallas Institute and of the University of Dallas is the brainchild of Dr. Cowan and her late husband, Dr. Donald Cowan. Dr. Louise Cowan, who recently celebrated her ninetieth birthday, gave a brilliant lecture on "The Hero and the Underworld." Her versatility at referencing novels, plays, and poems from the whole range of Western literature, along with her application of the dark experience of the underwood, was astounding.

Dr. Cowan has subtly changed the world. For the past six or seven years I have consciously quoted and referenced her lectures and writings in my Humanities classes. Even more important, I have used her approach to teaching literature in class. Students of Dr. Cowan and students of her many esteemed students are out there today in many classrooms of public and private schools and universities reaching students with the message of great literature.

On the second day of the symposium, we presented and listened to papers on literature, devoted to the main topic. Since there were thirteen papers, there were two sections for each of three one hour sessions. I gave a paper titled "Bayard Sartoris' Journey to the Underworld," which grew out of my readings of William Faulkner's novel The Unvanquished. Two other presenters, Dr. Claudia Allums and Sharon Harris, also presented papers on from Faulkner's works. During the next session I attended, two presenters gave talks on Dante's Divine Comedy and during the last session, two more papers were given on Virgil's Aeneid. (Keep in mind, during all this time, other papers were being presented.) Discussions followed the many presentations, including a general final discussion led by Dr. Larry Allums.

Also, I read a poem of mine ("The Agrarians")at the symposium. All in all, the whole event was quite thrilling. The level of conversation, the discussion of great books and ideas, and the inspiration flowing out of the event were all incredible. (Appropriately, after the conference, my wife and I promptly raided a huge used book store and came away with a box of treasures for home, school, and children.)

Special thanks goes to Dr. Claudia Allums (an expert on William Faulkner)for inviting me to the event and to Dr. Larry Allums (himself an expert on the Agrarians, The Aeneid, and Dante)for his work. Joni, who works for the Institute, put all of the talks together in an attractive monograph for the occasion. That and other labors have earned our appreciation.

And thanks to Dr. Lousie Cowan. Thanks for the lecture. Thanks for the kind words you inscribed in my two copies of your books. Thanks for the hope and encouragement. Please get busy with those books on Southern literature and William Faulkner. We can't wait to read them.

To learn more about the work of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, visit their web-site.

Listed above is an essay I wrote following a lecture I heard from Dr. Cowan in February 2005. In a few days, I will post my paper.