[FRENCH] Exploring the Depths of Memory and Time: Marcel Proust's Madeleine Scene 🤤

Considering we’re in the midst of the ‘Barbenheimer’ craze, I wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t exactly had the time to watch Barbie and read 20th century French literature. However, if you have had time to do both, you may have noticed Barbie’s reference to a ‘Proustian flashback’ upon seeing Mattel’s life-sized Barbie box. If you didn't, you might be thinking: what is this barbie girl on about? Let’s dig into Proust’s famous madeleine scene to find out!

In the first volume of In Search of Lost Time, titled Swann's Way, Marcel Proust introduces readers to an unforgettable moment when the narrator dips a madeleine, a small French cake, into a cup of tea. As he takes a bite, the taste and texture of the madeleine evoke a flood of vivid memories and sensations from his past. This involuntary memory becomes a catalyst for the narrator's journey of introspection, reflection, and remembrance.

💡 Things to consider

• Time, Memory, and Perception: In Search of Lost Time is known for its exploration of the fluid nature of time and the malleability of memory. Discuss how the madeleine scene exemplifies Proust's theme of memory's ability to warp and reshape the past. Consider the concept of ‘lost time’ and how the past is often reinterpreted through the lens of the present.

• The Inner World of the Narrator: Proust's introspective narrative invites readers to delve deep into the psyche of the narrator. Analyse the significance of the madeleine scene as a pivotal moment of self-discovery and self-awareness. How does this moment shape the narrator's understanding of himself and his place in the world? What does it reveal about the connections between memory, identity, and personal growth?

• The Power of Sensory Triggers: Proust's madeleine scene beautifully illustrates the potency of sensory triggers in triggering memories. Explore how a simple act of taste can transport the narrator back in time, summoning recollections of his childhood. Reflect on your own experiences with sensory triggers and how they have the ability to unlock long-forgotten memories or emotions. What else can an author explore with sensory triggers?

[PHILOSOPHY] Skepticism: are we living in the matrix? 👾

The Matrix is a cinematic masterpiece starring Keanu Reeves as the protagonist who discovers that the world in which he has been living is not the ‘real’ world at all, but a virtual world. The movie invites us to question the very fabric of reality as, at its core, there lies a philosophical conundrum: how do we know if the world around us is real or merely a complex illusion? I’m sure you’ve had the experience of dreaming and not knowing that you were in a dream: how do we know that isn’t what’s happening now? How do we know we’re not just in a hyper-realistic dream? This dilemma taps into the heart of philosophical skepticism, challenging our perceptions and understanding of what is genuinely true.

💡 Things to Consider

• Hinge propositions: Suppose you are playing tennis. You can doubt a lot of things whilst playing tennis e.g that your serve is as good as it used to be, that you turned the oven off, that the ball won’t just disappear. However, playing tennis requires you to take certain things for granted: that there is a ball, a racquet, an opponent, etc. and that they won’t just disappear into the matrix (unlike that one AirPod every once in a while that goes missing for a week before it reappears under the sofa…) Seriously doubting these things is incompatible with the practical undertaking of tennis, so we believe them so we can pursue our practical projects. This is a hinge proposition: a proposition that we must believe, if we are to pursue our practical projects. Do you find this a convincing argument against skepticism?

• Solipsism: Solipsism is the philosophical idea that only one's mind is sure to exist. It holds that knowledge of anything outside one's own mind is unsure; the external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist outside the mind. It seems to follow that, if we don’t know whether the world is ‘real’, then we don’t know if everyone around us is real. What are the implications of this on our daily lives? Think especially about its implications for ethics.

• Does it matter?: Okay, so let’s say that we are living in the matrix, and the fundamental building blocks of the universe is not atoms, but blocks of code. So what? What difference does it actually make? Can’t we just get along with our lives, in spite of the skepticism? Think about whether skepticism really has an impact on how we should live our lives.

[ENGLISH] Unravelling the Depths of "To be, or not to be" - Hamlet's Existential Soliloquy 👑

Things really start to get heated in Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy Hamlet.

In this pivotal scene, Hamlet, the tormented Prince of Denmark, contemplates the nature of existence and the human condition. Uttering the famous phrase, "To be, or not to be, that is the question," he is grappling with the idea of life and death. Stricken with grief over his father's death, Hamlet wrestles with the concept of suicide and the potential release it offers from life's hardships.

💡 Things to consider

• The Duality of Existence: Hamlet's soliloquy encapsulates the fundamental dichotomy of existence. By posing the question "To be, or not to be," he confronts the universal struggle of every human being. This introspective exploration invites us, as readers and audience members, to ponder the complexities of life and the various challenges it presents. What is Shakespeare trying to convey about the human experience through this internal debate?

• The Psychological Turmoil of Hamlet: Delve into Hamlet's mental state as he contemplates life and death. The soliloquy offers a window into the depths of his anguish, showcasing his profound sadness, anger, and feelings of betrayal. Examine the impact of grief on an individual's psyche and how it can shape one's perceptions and decisions. Can Hamlet's inner turmoil be seen as a reflection of the broader themes of the play?

• Existential Themes and Philosophical Implications: "To be, or not to be" raises existential questions that have intrigued philosophers for centuries. Try to critically analyse the philosophical concepts underlying Hamlet's soliloquy. How does Shakespeare explore the notions of mortality, free will, and the search for meaning in life? Are there any existentialist elements in Hamlet's ponderings, and if so, how do they align with or challenge other philosophical ideologies?

🗳️ Poll

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…

• Livestream - MAT past test papers: 2007 & 2008 (17 Aug 2023)