Washington Metro Objectivism Discussion (WMOD)

                  August 12, 1998 Meeting

                  "Odysseus, Jesus, and Dagny"

                tape lecture by Susan McCloskey, Ph.D.

The August WMOD meeting will feature a lecture on tape from the July
1998 IOS Summer Seminar by Susan McCloskey.  Susan's lectures
were described as follows in IOS Seminar program:

"Homer's Odysseus and the Jesus of the Gospels represent two different
elements of the Western heroic tradition, the conqueror who succeeds by
wit, strength, and force of character and the self-sacrificer who embraces
defeat and achieves improbable victory.  Ayn Rand conceived Dagny
Taggart as a hero in a new mold.  But she also links Dagny's heroism to
the earlier traditions by presenting her as dedicated to a quest like
Odysseus' and Jesus'.  All three characters wish to find and return to
their homes, the worlds where their values achieve full and rewarding
expression.  The first lecture deal with this common quest and the heroic
traits that it requires in each instance.

The second lecture focuses on Ayn Rand's inventive, sometimes startling,
use in Atlas Shrugged of the heroic traditions that Odysseus and Jesus
represent.  Her characterizations of Ragnar and Francisco, Rearden and
Galt are variously informed by the earlier heroic models and distinguished
from them in ways that bear directly on the novel's themes and contribute
to its power.

Both lectures aim to place Ayn Rand's achievement in the context of the 
literary tradition that nourished her imagination and that she, like every 
serious writer before her, embraced and transformed."

Susan McCloskey earned her Ph.D. in English literature at Princeton University
and was a member of the faculty of Vassar College from 1977-90.  While at
Vassar, she was widely recognized for her skill as a teacher and was awarded
tenure in 1985.  Her essays on writing and on classic and contemporary theater
have appeared in newspapers and journals.  Her book for young writers was
published by Peterson's in 1996.  She has extensive experience as a freelance
editor for major New York publishing houses, and is often invited to speak to
professional associations about ways to achieve good writing.

Susan founded McCloskey Writing Consultants in 1990 to provide the complete
range of writing and editorial services to legal, corporate, and private 
clients. Among them are the law firms of Holland & Knight LLP; Steel Hector & 
Davis LLP; Shipman & Goodwin LLP; Pepe & Hazard; and Waters, McPherson, 
McNeill; the law departments of Nationwide Insurance, United Technologies
Corporation, and AlliedSignal, Inc.; various departments of New York Life
Insurance Company; the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies; and the
Hartford Insurance Company.  She occasionally designs training programs for
technical specialists in fields other than writing, and works as a "course 
doctor" for existing programs.  You can contact her at MWCInc@aol.com. 

                             July WMOD Meeting

Thanks again to psychotherapist Michael Hurd for his illuminating 
discussion of his book "Effective Therapy".  You can reach Michael
via email at MJHurd@aol.com, by phone at (301) 654-3939, or
on the Web at http://www.drhurd.com

                When and Where is the WMOD Meeting?

Join us on Wednesday, August 12.  Note that this is NOT our usual
3rd Wednesday of the meeting date.  Anyone who is
interested in rational discussion of Ayn Rand's ideas is welcome.
Note that our meeting location is Metro accessible.  You can
either join us for drinks at 6:30 with dinner at 7 pm and/or for
the talk (free) at 8:15 pm at the Hunan Palace in Rosslyn, VA
just across the Key Bridge from Georgetown.  The street address is
1812 North Moore Street. If you come by Metro, get off at the
Rosslyn Metro Exit and the Hunan Palace is only a few feet away.
Take the street exit on N Moore Street (across street from Roy
Rogers/Burger King), go out of Metro and take a left, and the
Palace is a few feet down N Moore street. If you drive, there is
a parking garage next door to the Palace that is free after 6:00 pm
if you get your ticket validated at the Palace. WMOD has arranged
for a $15 fixed price dinner (including tax and tip).  Or you can
order from the menu.  Please RSVP to WMOD at (703) 820-7696
before noon Wednesday 8/12 so that we can tell the restaurant how
many tables to set up and how many to expect for dinner.  For more
information on the restaurant, call the Palace at
(703) 528-8188, or call David Saum at (703) 820-7696 (W) or (703)
671-5119 (H).  If you have transportation problems, give us a call.
     
               Future Meetings

WMOD meetings are generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of each
month. We are always looking for new stimulating meeting topics
related to Objectivism.  Please contact WMOD if you have suggestions
for meeting topics and locations, or if you can volunteer some time to
arrange meetings.
                
               WMOD Contact Information

The WMOD newsletter is $10/yr,  email newsletter is free.

Contact:
  Dave Saum
  WMOD
  PO Box 8007
  Falls Church, VA 22041
    Email: DSaum at infiltec.com
    Phone: (703) 820-7696
    Fax: (703) 671-9350
    Web: http://www.infiltec.com/wmod.htm

----------- "Sapere aude" (dare to know) -------------------