Defining Moments
Michelle Okonma
ENG4U
Ms. Wilhelmina Amansec
07, February 2013 Response Journal on The Great Debaters
Quotation: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood like a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish ways”
Why, do you think, he chose this verse?
Dr. James Farmer, a renowned educationist quoted the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:11 at the beginning of the movie, when he was addressing the freshmen of Wiley college during the orientation of a new school year.
I think this verse was an intended eye-opener, he chose it because it was quite pertinent for such an occasion; the students were fresh from high school suggesting Dr. Farmer intended to use the verse to inform these young people that they were in new territory and also to encourage and motivate them to pursue their freshman year with all seriousness and assiduousness.
How did the verse apply to the students?
This group of students had just come in from high school, which is more or less a ‘childish environment’ this circumstance by implication therefore relates to the verse quoted by Dr. Farmer, this was a pointer for the students that they have to undertake greater responsibility at this stage. All less than serious and lackadaisical attitude from high school was to be put aside, as those are childish traits. Commitment, diligence and industriousness- traits of a man, were to be of paramount importance at this point. Mindsets and mannerisms and priorities were to change in order to embrace mature characteristics vital for this stage of their lives.
How it connects with me.
Personally, I can identify with this verse quoted by Dr. Farmer, I am almost practically in the same circumstance as the freshmen of wiley college who were addressed with this verse- I am embarking on a completely different journey, in a new environment presents more responsibility and requires maturity as I am in a very crucial stage
ENG4U
Ms. Wilhelmina Amansec
07, February 2013 Response Journal on The Great Debaters
Quotation: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood like a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish ways”
Why, do you think, he chose this verse?
Dr. James Farmer, a renowned educationist quoted the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:11 at the beginning of the movie, when he was addressing the freshmen of Wiley college during the orientation of a new school year.
I think this verse was an intended eye-opener, he chose it because it was quite pertinent for such an occasion; the students were fresh from high school suggesting Dr. Farmer intended to use the verse to inform these young people that they were in new territory and also to encourage and motivate them to pursue their freshman year with all seriousness and assiduousness.
How did the verse apply to the students?
This group of students had just come in from high school, which is more or less a ‘childish environment’ this circumstance by implication therefore relates to the verse quoted by Dr. Farmer, this was a pointer for the students that they have to undertake greater responsibility at this stage. All less than serious and lackadaisical attitude from high school was to be put aside, as those are childish traits. Commitment, diligence and industriousness- traits of a man, were to be of paramount importance at this point. Mindsets and mannerisms and priorities were to change in order to embrace mature characteristics vital for this stage of their lives.
How it connects with me.
Personally, I can identify with this verse quoted by Dr. Farmer, I am almost practically in the same circumstance as the freshmen of wiley college who were addressed with this verse- I am embarking on a completely different journey, in a new environment presents more responsibility and requires maturity as I am in a very crucial stage