Here's the next set of reflection questions for those reading our "congregational summer book":
1. What motivates people like William to attempt the unthinkable? How would you describe him to someone who's never heard of his achievement?
2. Compare William to his father and to his mother. How are they alike? How did his parents shape William's outlook?
3. Imagine what a handful of Williams with some encouragement and financial backing from government and private sources might accomplish. Think of some ideas.
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I like the question about trying to describe William to someone who's never heard of his achievement. The whole time I was reading the book I was thinking about what kind of person is likely to/capable of doing something like this. Certainly William was brilliant. But there was also a confidence that at times bordered on arrogance. I wonder where that comes from, especially when a person grows up in the dire circumstances he did. Chris asks what influence his parents had on him, and they may have contributed to that, but their influence alone can't account for such bold, unshakable confidence. Is that inborn? How can we instill that in people? Do we want that for everyone? Is it necessary to do what he did?
ReplyDeleteThe whole time I was completely impressed with what he was doing, but a little bit rubbed the wrong way by his assurance. I'm not sure what to make of this, especially when thinking about how to find and support other "Williams" out there.
-PK