Assignment #5

Steven Johnston, American Dionysia

1. Does Johnston argue that democracy makes people satisfied? What does he have to say about that?

Johnston argues that democracy rarely leaves people satisfied and that it seems to cause more problems then solutions. It can cause a lot of resentment from people because it s not seem to deliver on its promises. Johnston also argues that democracy is linked it violence and death. PG 1.

2.  How was Oedipus a success according to Johnston?

Oedipus was a success because of the ambiguous nature of his past actions. PG 20.

3.  In what direction does Springsteen’s character in Easy Money push Rousseau?

Springsteen wants to push Rousseau beyond the political and into the economic. PG 146.

4.  Compare the Acropolis museum to Johnston’s account of 9/11 Memorial.

            How does it differ from Pericles funeral oration?

The Acropolis museum much like the 9/11 Memorial is also built on top of the ruins of what was there before. The Acropolis museum is built over excavations and the 9/11 Memorial is built exactly where the Twin Towers used to be. Johnston focuses a lot of the death and grieving. He argues that the grieving for the events that happened at 9/11 are a little misconstrued and very circular. The Acropolis museum also talks a lot about funerals and a lot of the pieces they have are depicting funerals. It also focuses a lot on the pieces that are missing in the Acropolis either because they are in Britain or because of the fall of the Acropolis.

Pericles funeral oration is very much focused on the future of the city and does not focus so much on the death of the city. While, according to Johnson’s account, the speeches from President’s Bill Clinton and George Bush focused very much on the deaths of this tragic event and not the future.

Joan Connelly, The Parthenon Enigma

5. Who was taken up the Acropolis in a chariot driven by a woman dressed as Athena. He also significantly contributed to the planning of the Agora.

Peisistratos. PG 61.

6. Where was the ‘ancient image’ (olive wood ‘statue’ of Athena) stored? Where did is reportedly come from? What kind of image was it?

This ancient image is in the Old Athena Temple. It was believed to have fallen from the Heavens in the early days of Athens. It is not of her human shape, but it is a simple olive wood tree trunk. It was not regarded as Athena herself, but it is her essence. PG 68.

7. What does she argue is memorialized in the frieze of the Parthenon?

Connelly argues that what we are seeing on the frieze of the Parthenon is actually the preparation of a sacrifice of one of the daughters of Erectheus.

Freud, “A Disturbance of Memory on the Acropolis.”

8. What does Freud say has been the aim of his ‘scientific work’ in a Disturbance of Memory?

Freud says that the aim of his scientific work was to shine light on unusual behaviors of the mind and to indicate where those might come from. PG 239.

9. What experience of Freud have upon seeing the Acropolis of Athens?

Fred claims that he thought t himself that the place actually exists like he learned in school. PG 241.

10. What explains his behavior in Trieste?

Freud claims the his behavior in Trieste is explained by someone’s inability to believe something that seems to good to be true, like winning a prize. This could also be caused by someone’s refusal to be happy. People do not think they are worth the happiness that this has brought into their life. PG 242.

11. Two general characteristics of the phenomena of derealization:

The first characteristic is that it is trying to keep something away from the ego. The second is that they rely on your memories and past situations which were distressing. PG 245-6.

12. What does Freud conclude interfered with he and his brother’s enjoyment of the journey to Athens?

Freud concludes that it is this feeling of guilt that they had in Trieste that began to interfere with their enjoyment of the trip. PG 247.