Can someone help me?

Question

My ninth grade class is supposed to write a letter to a soldier in Iraq. We have to relate the experiences of Odysseus, the epic hero, to that of the soldiers'. We can't be harsh and tell him things like while Odysseus was gone, hundreds of guys tried to take his wife. That wouldn't give the soldier hope and definately wouldn't make him happy. So how can I make the relations to Odysseus's experiences not harsh and somewhat humorous?

Answer 1

There was some good stuff in the Odyssey.

Men being turned into swine can be thrown in there.
He did get a goddess to fall in love with him.
His wife remained faithful to him for 20 years.
He literally went to hell and back.
He had an "angel" looking out for him (Athena).
He came back and reclaimed his place among his people and once again led his country back to prosperity.

It's one of my favorite books of all time. You can send me a message/email if you need more help.

Answer 2

Tell your teacher that this is a very strange project and that I don't think anybody would be encouraged by having their life compared to an epic greek myth about someone who has trouble getting home. If you have to go through with this project, talk about how Odysseus got home with the help of his buddies, and most soldeirs rely on those to their left and right in much the same manner. I can't rememeber a darn thing about the Odyssey from high school, but "Oh Brother, Where art Thou" with George Clooney is pretty good. Its based on the Odyssey.

Answer 3

First of all through no fault of your own but your teachers' this is the worst idea on the planet. First of all Odysseus is Greek mythology and not applicable to the middle east. There is much more history that is. Secondly, and most important any soldier looking at this would go "what?". So soldiers, risking their life get this instead of "thank you, I know things are tough, etc.". Most of the soldiers who are putting their life on the line are not ivory palace intellectuals who are going to be able to appreciate the nuances of the analogy. Secondly at its most basic level and most important......... there will be someone around who is educated enough to know the story hence guys trying to take his wife. Which is the number one thing on a soldier's mind. To give hope is to just give thanks and say things like thank you for fighting for what we have in America. Reminding them that they have something to go home to. Though possibly well intended this project is the most misguided, in the clouds with no basis in reality thing I have ever heard of. In itself it does not accomplish the intent of teaching history and how it relates to the world as it is today. Bottom line is that this project is completely irresponsible and any parent that actually spent time in a war would agree. I would welcome a rebuttal from your teacher if they disagree.

Answer 4

Odysseus was delayed in his return home. Like an extended tour of duty.
He was delayed so much he came back 10 years after he was due.

Speaking of the wife and all these guys- remember that Odysseus chopped them all.

Answer 5

Odysseus was a hero not a killer, neither a torturer, or protector of oil companies.

Answer 6

It's because he's gone to war for so long and his home has changed so much and he's journeyed so long for nothing but some dame in distress(or so-called rooting out terrorism). also, its for their leaders over-inflated egos. Agnememmnon and Bush both have too much ego to pull out without winning.

Answer 7

Odysessus never gave up in spite of bad misfortunes and opposition along the way.

Answer 8

How about...

Odysseus never would have wanted you to know that, like you, your wife may be knocked by hundreds of guys while you're away, because he knows the feeling

Answer 9

tell him your teacher sucks and while she has no idea how life is over there, that the soldier is a hero to you and that u know that his life will forever be changed by this experience. also tell him that u know publisher if he wants to tell you his story!