Inspired by one of his teaching lessons, Paul discusses the concept of "the better story" which forms a connection between Yann Martel's 2001 novel Life of Pi and Tim Burton's 2004 film, Big Fish.

Burton, Tim. Big Fish. United States, Sony Pictures, 2003. 

Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. Toronto, Vintage, 2001.

Paul continues his exploration of the Dark Tower series with this Master's Class of character building. 

King, Stephen. The Drawing of the Three. New York, Plume, 2003. 

Paul starts an extended re-read and analysis of Stephen King's Dark Tower series. 

Paul compares the futuristic worlds presented in two classic novels of 20th century speculative fiction: Brave New World  and Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Huxley, Aldous. Brace New World. Toronto, Vintage, 2007.

Orwell, George, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Toronto, Signet, 1977. 

I'm not gonna lie, I probably broke a bunch of copyrights for this episode. I'm gonna trust the boys to be cool with it. 

Paul gushes about his favourite Viking-Age historian and poet. 

Paul waxes retrospective.

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8864790044362597696/8064845359125547896

Sometimes we overread symbols. But there are SOME objects--water, fire, a door--that are ALWAYS symbolic. 

Paul discusses that most derivative, forced, and American of genres: The Western 

As memory fades and current events become history, what are the specific things "kids these days" should need to know about World War 2?