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| Pablo Picasso Self-Portrait |
Last week in AS we had a discussion about how
Pablo Picasso was, and still is, considered one of the greatest artists of all time. Another thing that was mentioned, however, was that he beat his wife. I cannot remember for sure, but I think we discussed this because of the new "21st Century reading" of the poem,
My Papa's Waltz by Theodore Roethke. After reading this poem, our class had, as many other modern English classes have, decided that this poem was about child abuse. The terms "child abuse" and "dysfunctional family" had no meaning back in the 1800s (Huckleberry Finn's era), because these kinds of social issues were not as freely discussed as they are today. While I know a lot about Pablo Picasso and his art, I never knew about him beating his wife. Because beating your wife was not a social topic that was thrown around the news and media of Picasso's time, it never was apparent to me and presumably many others how odd this man really was. In today's culture, it is a different story.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the name "Tiger Woods"? If you had asked
me two years ago, I would have probably responded: "the best golf player of all time." If you had asked me
today, my reply would probably look a little more like this: "Don't you mean 'Cheetah' Woods? Hehehe..." Both Tiger Woods and Pablo Picasso have two sides to their personality: a famous and popular side, and a dark and hurtful side, yet not everyone thinks poorly of Picasso. Because of the time period, Tiger and Pablo have been treated differently. Who will you remember more: Cheetah or Tiger?
I think that this is a very interesting topic. The media portrays the "cheetah" side more now. He is rarely recognized now for his golf talent now. I actually feel like I will always remember both. I was so exposed to his talent as I grew up with him as the star in the golf world, but now I see him as a man who cheated.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important the we can distinguish the "artist" side of someone and the "personal" side of someone. I still think of Tiger Woods as a great golfer and honestly I dont really care what he does in his personal life. He is a golfer and as long as he golfs well that is good enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that Tiger Woods was and still is a phenomenal golfer and always will be. I agree with Chloe in that there is more than one side. I think of Mr. Woods as a "cheetah," but also, there is no way to look past his amazing prowess in golf, and I think that is what is going to continue on into the future.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, HD. Shakespeare also thought about this phenomenon ("The evil that men do lives after them,/ The good is oft interred with their bones.") I like the way you extend the class discussion to Tiger. It'd be nice, however, to anchor your ideas in text. Find a quote praising or villifying Tiger Picasso. P.S. Another poet, WB Yeats wondered if we could "separate the dancer from the dance."
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