As they barreled along in the subway Alexander turned to Sammy and asked “who are your heroes?”
“Like me personally?”
“Societal. In my age there were Achilles, Odysseus, Ajax and so many more. I want to know who the new heroes are.”
“Those are Greek dudes right?”
“Yes.” Alexander said disdainfully.
“Hey, don’t get mad at me cus I ain’t super booky?”
“I assume that means you don’t read much.”
“The last time I picked up a book was like third grade man. I live in the streets.”
“You have no place of domicile?”
“Dom a what?”
“A dwelling. A place where you sleep.”
“You take things too literally. I’m just sayin I was always roaming the streets. I had an apartment. It was small, so I spent as much time as possible outside in the city.”
“Who are the heroes of your age?” Alexander asked trying to get the conversation back on track.”
“I don’t know man. Everyone is so divided these days.” Sammy hedged as he looked around the subway to see who might be listening.
“Do you know of the Trojan War?”
“That’s the one with the horse. Right?”
“I have much to teach you. But I see you have potential to one day be my hetairos.”
“I am not even going to pretend to know what that means.” Sammy said.
“Should I decide to stay here you will become one of my most trusted companions.”
“I don’t think companion is the word you are looking for.”
“Strange, that is exactly the word I am looking for.”
“Try another word.”
“Top aide, personal assistant, close confidant. The person I can develop strategies with. A loyal friend who will ensure success.”
“Those all sound better than companion.”
“You are adept at pulling us off topic. Now as I was saying the Trojan War was a battle for the ages.”
“But it is just a myth right. I mean there really wasn’t a Troy or Achilles?”
“How has your society lost so much knowledge? No, it is not a myth. Achilles is as real as you or I and just as this city exists so does Troy.”
“So I could go and visit it today?”
“I could show you the exact location. When I crossed the Hellespont before my great victory over Darius I went to Ilium which stood on the ruins of Troy. I visited the grave of Achilles.”
“Wait, wait, wait, are you saying you are literally Alexander the Great?”
“Who else do you think I would be.”
“A method actor?”
“As sure as you live and breathe I am the son of Phillip and rightful heir to his kingdom.”
“So what are you, like 3,000 years old?”
“I have been told my time was 2,300 years ago.”
“So what do you think man?”
“About what?”
“The future”
“Your lands are in need of cleansing.”
“It is dirty here?”
“Spiritually, morally, militarily. It would appear abundance has made you forget everything that is necessary in life.”
“That’s harsh man.”
“You world needs a leader like me.”
“I think you speak from ignorance.”
“Elaborate.”
“Ok, well, I mean have you ever been to Washington DC?”
“I do not know that kingdom.”
“If you don’t know the capital then how can you plan to conquer?”
“Take me there.”
“It is 4 or 5 hours drive from here.”
“We can discuss this later. I want to teach you about Achilles and why the visit to Ilium was so important.”
“Cool man, but first I got to ask you one more question.”
“Ask on.”
“Is this real? Are you who you say you are, or is this some sort of simulation or something?”
“I am not familiar with simulation.”
“Like a computer game or like totally fake, like we don’t even exist.”
“I will admit that when I first beheld the wonders of this land I imagined I was in the after world. But now I know this is real.”
“How?”
“Because I felt pain.”
“Oh.” Sammy said not really knowing what else to say.
“Now we will not be distracted again. I need to press upon you the importance of Troy. It was the greatest war the world has ever known. It was the age of heroes. There was Priam and Paris, Odysseus and Hector, and Achilles and Ajax. Valor, honor, and legacy were present. Greed, lust, and power were on full display. Men etched their names into immortality.”
“Who was Priam?”
“The king of Troy.”
“During the Trojan war?”
“Yes. His stable hand in ruling his city ensured that the war lasted as long as it did. He was wise and noble. Unfortunately he was compelled to fight against a demigod in Achilles. Even so, the accolades of all involved needed to be acknowledged. So just as I set off to begin my campaign against the Persians I stopped at Troy.
I offered sacrifices to Athena. I visited the graves of Achilles and Priam. I placed a wreath on Priam’s grave. I also paid homage to Achilles. Lastly I took the shield of Achilles and I have carried it into every battle. In fact it just saved my life in my last battle.
It is important to pay homage to the heroes of the past because they set the stage for our future successes. So I will ask you one more time, who are your heroes today?”
Sammy tried to think about what Alexander had told him and who would be most similar to Achilles or Priam. He knew he had to say something and somehow Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, or John Gotti didn’t seem to match the profile Alexander was looking for.
The seconds were ticking and for some reason Sammy felt an intense pressure to say something. Why was it so hard to think about history? What to say, what to say? Sammy thought back to 5th grade, he had done a report on history. What was it?
“Your heroes?” Alexander prompted him.
“Mount Rushmore.” Sammy blurted out.
“Your hero is a mountain?”
“No, the heroes are carved into the mountain.”
Interesting. Tell about them. How many are there?”
“Four.”
“Tell me about them.”
“Well the first one is George Washington. He was a general and the first president of the country.”
“Tell me about his battles.”
“I will have to do that later. This is our stop.”
Great literature should do more than entertain us. It should provide a roadmap to improving our lives.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens introduced readers to Sydney Carton, one of literature's most compelling and deeply flawed characters. Dickens also gives him an unusual title: the Jackal.
His struggles raise questions that remain relevant today.
Are we defined by our past mistakes? Can we overcome our weaknesses? What separates the people we are from the people we could become?
Lessons From the Jackal is a 25-day character study exploring these questions through Sydney Carton’s life, decisions, relationships, and personal development.
This is not a traditional course on A Tale of Two Cities. Our reading assignments will focus specifically on Carton, with sufficient background provided to understand his story. No previous knowledge of the novel is necessary.
Each day will feature selected readings, historical comparisons, reflection questions, discussions, and practical challenges ...
Sydney Carton is intelligent, capable, compassionate, self-destructive, and deeply dissatisfied with his life.
His potential is evident, but his accomplishments are limited. His habits are troubling, but his character contains admirable qualities. His reputation is unfavorable, but Lucie recognizes something in him that others have overlooked.
Perhaps the greatest mistake we can make when judging another person is to assume that who they are today represents everything they are capable of becoming. Yet there is an equally dangerous mistake: assuming that possessing the potential for greatness is equivalent to achieving it. Potential without action remains unrealized. Character without conviction may fail when tested. Reputation without substance is little more than appearance.
The challenge is not simply to possess admirable qualities or to be regarded favorably by others. It is to develop the discipline, courage, and integrity necessary to become the person we are capable of being. When ...
