Arts & Humanities   

On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Sinclair Lewis’ satirical novel “Babbitt,” we will come to know George Babbitt, a conventional middleclass businessman, unabashed social climber, and addicted conformist who strives to be the pillar of his community. The novel, at times uproariously funny and at other times terribly sad, paints the picture of a little man trapped by the worship of success. Required reading: "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis. ISBN# 10:0-486-43167-3.

This course will view and discuss eight films covering different traditions, technologies, and perspectives, dating from 1927 through 2015. The films do not have a single theme, but all do explore the relationship of the individual to his/her society. We will discuss the background of each film, its thematics and techniques, and why it may be regarded as a “classic.” The films for the Fall 2021 semester will be “Battleship Potemkin,” “Citizen Kane,” Ebert’s commentary on “Citizen Kane,” “The Third Man,” “Rashomon,” “On the Waterfront,” “The 400 Blows,” and “Amarcord.”

Films have a long history of portraying mental illnesses in its many dimensions. They have shown the patient to be either a monster or a victim; the therapists as either scheming villains, bungling fools or compassionate heroes; and mental institutions either as chambers of cruelty or corridors of caring. In this survey, we will look at eight films revealing the cinematic approach to mental illness and then how each movie helps us to understand mental illness. This year we will offer all the exciting newer films depicting mental illnesses but also revisit some of the classic movies from the first six showings.

A two-hour walking tour of the neighborhood of Manchester novelist Grace Metalious, author of the best-seller, Peyton Place, features a look at several residences, schools, and other sites that were a part of her youth. It includes readings from her final novel, “No Adam in Eden” (1963), and autobiographical sources. The meeting place for the Metalious tour is the corner of Bridge and Ash Streets in Manchester, by the former Ash Street School building, now owned by Silver Tech. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress according to weather on the day of the class.

Using the Currier Museum of Art's collection and current exhibition, this course will introduce participants to ways of approaching, thinking about, and appreciating art. We will begin in the classroom with a brief overview of different genres of art followed by an exercise where we look together and discuss one picture in order to introduce some of the fundamental building blocks of art. Participants will then tour the Currier's galleries with a docent to closely examine some of the museum's highlights, including the exhibition of work by Roberto Lugo – Te traigo me le lo lai (I bring you my joy). The group will return to the classroom to debrief. The tour segment involves some walking and standing; collapsible chairs are available. Note: Pamela Harvey is a retired librarian and educator, Carolyn Hollman a retired professor. Both are volunteer docents for the Currier Museum and for the Frank Lloyd Wright Houses at the Currier Museum of Art.

It is well understood that music has a strong impact on memory, especially for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss. This class will be presented in two parts. Part 1 will focus on music and the brain, exploring why and how music has such a powerful impact. Part 2 will provide participants with the opportunity to examine musical choices of personal importance to them, building a “musical mix-tape” of sorts, of music and songs that hold significant value.

Join us in a well-established OLLI tradition - lively discussions of this chronicle of our times. Started in 1925 as a humor magazine, "The New Yorker" soon became a preeminent forum for serious fiction and journalism. With a circulation above one million and content by the most respected writers of fact and fiction, it is one of the most widely read and influential American magazines. Facilitators Jones and Monnelly will choose the first readings; after that, the class decides. You'll need access to the magazine (subscriptions at www.newyorker.com or check with your local library).

Hemingway knew by the time he was a sophomore at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, Michigan, that he wanted to become a professional writer when he graduated. As a student he was fortunate to have several teachers who encouraged him to read world-renowned authors, including Mark Twain, Bret Hart, Ambrose Bierce, Anton Chekhov, and Katherine Ann Porter, who became his models.Two days after graduation, he began his first writing job at the famous “Kansas City Star,” where his work ethic quickly earned the respect of everyone on the staff. It was not long before Hemingway was getting all of his submissions – obituaries, the late-night crime scene, special feature stories – read and critiqued by some of the best editors in the country. Participants in this course will read newspaper stories by Hemingway that illustrate Hemingway’s evolution as a writer as he assimilated the rules of good writing from the reportorial staff he met during his time at the “Star.” When he left the “Star,” it was to join the armed forces, continue to broaden his life experiences, and continue to search the war zone – including a nearly fatal stint with the Italian Ambulance Corps – for narratives that could be expanded into novel-length discourses. His choices at this young phase of his life turned out to be exactly what he needed to find a consistency of voice and a sense of how a dramatic situation can be used to maximum effectiveness. Suggested reading: Gleason, E. J. (2019). “Write Like Hemingway.” Apple Cider Press, Kennebunkport. ISBN# 1-60433-887-3.

Among the Twentieth Century thinkers classified as Existentialists, Jean Paul Sartre is the most well-known and most readily identified with that movement. The Existentialists based their reflections on a direct examination of the concrete experiences that constitute the human condition. Part of their agenda was to scandalize and shock by choosing to explore the extremes of those situations. This was designed to shake individuals out of their tendency to conform to abstract systems of thought. Sartre was especially concerned about conditions of authentic action and being aware of one’s responsibility. Like most Existentialist writers, Sartre raises more questions than he answers, and he uses different types of writing, including fiction, to set out his proposals. The course will consist of four 90-minute sessions. Beginning with Sarte’s Life, the topics will be derived from the following readings: “Nausea,” a novel; “No Exit, and The Flies,” plays; plus selections from other works. It is not as heavy as it sounds. It is not necessary to have read the other Existentialists in the previous courses. It is not necessary to have a previous background in Philosophy. This is a guy who said, “Hell is other people.” A sense of humor is helpful. Many of his writings are available online. Required reading: “Nausea,” (ISBN# 978-0-8112-1700-2) and “No Exit and Three Other Plays,” (ISBN# 0-679-72516-4)

Music has been a part of humanity since the beginning of our recorded history. It is an integral part of all cultures around the world and plays an important role in our culture and society today. But how does music work? What parts make up the phenomena that we call music? In this 8-week course, you will learn about the seven main elements of music, specifically: Rhythm, Dynamics, Melody, Harmony, Timbre, Texture, and Form. Without getting too technical, we will explore how these elements work together to create a cohesive structure of sound that we call music. We will listen to music from all participating students and discuss that music as class. We will learn the specific vocabulary that one can use to effectively describe what is happening in the music participants listen to. By the end of this course, you will develop skills to listen to all music more critically. Perhaps, you may even discover a new way of listening to the music you already enjoy. [Note that this class will be held both in person at the Manchester Community Music School at 2291 Elm St. in Manchester and via Zoom for those who choose not to travel.]