Austin and Lee start with very different approaches to living. Austin lives in the more civilized world, in that he has a job and a family and lives in the suburbs. Lee, on the other hand, lives out on the desert, connected to no one, living on his own. At one point in the play, Shepard shows us how they envy each other a little bit: Lee envies Austin's Ivy League education, his job, his connection to people; Austin envies how Lee lives on his own, answers to no one, and goes on "adventures."
Lee is closely associated with romanticism: an emphasis on individualism; spontaneity; freedom from rules; solitary life rather than life in society; the beliefs that imagination is superior to reason and devotion to beauty; love of and worship of nature; etc.
Austin is closely associated with realism: following the conventions of society; devotion to reason and logic--that things "are what they are"; a belief in pragmatism; devotion to society, to family, to community; etc.
What do you think? Are you more of a romantic--spontaneous, imaginative, your "head in the clouds"? Or are you more of a realist--logical, reasonable, your" feet firmly planted on the ground"? Or are you some combination?
Write a thoughtful 1-2 page response exploring this question. Use your own experiences and observations to answer the question. Show your knowledge of True West as well. Try this suggested outline
Lee is closely associated with romanticism: an emphasis on individualism; spontaneity; freedom from rules; solitary life rather than life in society; the beliefs that imagination is superior to reason and devotion to beauty; love of and worship of nature; etc.
Austin is closely associated with realism: following the conventions of society; devotion to reason and logic--that things "are what they are"; a belief in pragmatism; devotion to society, to family, to community; etc.
What do you think? Are you more of a romantic--spontaneous, imaginative, your "head in the clouds"? Or are you more of a realist--logical, reasonable, your" feet firmly planted on the ground"? Or are you some combination?
Write a thoughtful 1-2 page response exploring this question. Use your own experiences and observations to answer the question. Show your knowledge of True West as well. Try this suggested outline
- Introduction -- Begin with an image or line or scene from True West that demonstrates these conflicting outlooks from Austin and Lee. And/or start with a detailed description of the kinds of characters they are.
- Offer your own personal take on this question. Which are you? Why? SHOW the reader how you fit one or both of these outlooks. Use specific examples from your life.
- Explore the pros and cons of your beliefs. What's good about it? What's bad? Would you like to change? Have you already changed?
- Conclusion -- Where do you see yourself in the future? in regards to this question? What might challenge your outlook--or change it?
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