The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer was the inspiration for the new 5-part NPR series. I have enjoyed listening to the series as I drive home - there is one more part and I am looking forward to hearing it today. If you don't have an NPR affiliate in your area, do not despair, NPR's website has the text, podcast, etc. for your listening pleasure.
To quote the website, "It offers a portrait of a changing nation some 600 years after the pilgrims made their colorful journey from London to Canterbury." The people of Britain are struggling with the question of their identity and in fact the identity of their country. The question "what does it mean to be British" is addressed in many ways. So many changes they are having to cope with - it is something we, as Americans, can relate to in many ways.
Perhaps we can learn something from their experiences, maybe not, but it is really interesting to hear the voices of the people and their concerns, desires, thoughts for their homeland. We will always care about our cousins "across the pond."
Hope you get a chance to check it out.
2 comments:
I don't think we can learn from the experience of other countries, we don't seem to learn from our own.
Love.
Conincidentally, last night we watched the movie "A Knights' Tale" with Heath LEdger. I'd never seen it, and thought it was a great little movie. Anyway, one of the main characters is Chaucer - as a smart mouthed, gambling addicted, Shakespearean type writer. (Be warned there are two scenes where he is nude because of his gambling - but it is a rear shot, and completely asexual. It's actually hilarious in context. Now don't anyone take this as Lisa Lee is in favor of movie nudity! It was just so funny I didn't even think about fast forwarding it.
PS - send me your email address - mine is lizejane@gmail.com)
Post a Comment