Demagogues and Prophets

By George David Clark. Last week a few of my creative-writing students visited me during office hours to ask what they should write. It wasn’t that they needed an assignment clarified, but rather that with a major project looming they wanted me to direct them in some way that would guarantee success. Though we have studied various models in class, they recognize the risks inherent in their choices and some would prefer I select for them. Like most teachers in the humanities I am met with versions of this request fairly regularly. A week from now my sophomores will realize their first significant essay is approaching and I’ll be fielding similar (if slightly more desperate) questions from them. More...