An Education

Two movies, wholly unrelated, but linked by a thread of a thematic connection.  In one, a brilliant student is denied a Public Speaking scholarship because the Professor tells him he needs to go out into the world and learn a point of view.  He does, nearly destroying himself along the way, but the education he garners is much more than he would have received in any university.

The other brilliant student, is urged to deny the education of the world for education of books.  She refuses this advice and almost destroys herself.  Ultimately for her, the education of books is to be her salvation.

I saw both movies today.  One, on cable, titled Music Within.  The other, in theaters, An Education, is sure to garner much Oscar attention particularly for Carey Mulligan, whose performance renders her not only one of the frontrunners for the Best Actress Oscar but as the rightful heir to Audrey Hepburn.

Ultimately I will provide no judgment on either mode of education.  Powerful cases are made for both approaches.  I will say, however, that the movies are quite excellent in their own respective ways.