Sunshine and Pre-Socratics

At last, sunshine has found its way to Northfield! After a rainy start to the New England High School Summer Program, students welcomed the bright, sunny morning as they made their way to Mass and a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and chocolate croissants. From there, the programmers started in on their morning class, in which they examined Sophocles’ Antigone.

Prepared by yesterday’s study hall, the students faced their tutors’ opening question: Were Antigone and her actions pious? The sections debated over the titular character’s actions and motivations. Was she really doing the right thing? And was she doing it for the right reasons? Sophocles presents a whole slew of difficult questions in his Greek tragedy, and students found it difficult to find a clear-cut answer. Many agreed that Antigone was right in burying her brother, even though it went against the decree of the king, her uncle, but her attitude was full of pride and rebellion. Others decided Creon was acting unreasonably and that he was justified in his decisions. 

During a lunch of vegetable stir fry, brown rice, and banana brownies, students chatted eagerly in anticipation of their next class. The reading consisted of excerpts from the pre-Socratic philosophers, who contemplated the foundations of the world and why things exist in the way they do. Many of the students were highly impressed with the ancient Greeks for speculating about atoms thousands of years ago!

The lunch hour ended, and the students made their way to class again to discuss the pre-Socratics, debating the origins of life and all things. “I loved how scientific it was!” said student Sarah G. “It was so interesting to see what they got right!” 

Now with the sun high in the sky, students will blessedly be able to use the athletic field for today’s recreation period. Join us here again tomorrow to read about how our Summer Programmers spend the rest of the day!