“프릭 쇼”와 저항의 윤리적 감수성

“Freak Show” and Resistance as Ethical Sensitivity: Milne’s “Declined with Thanks”

This study aims to demonstrate how I use in college level literature classes discussion and writing built around focused questions and thought-provoking questions in order to promote ethical sensitivity toward resistance against corruption, abuses of power, and Mammonism in society. Among several literary texts that I use for this purpose, this paper focuses on Alan Alexander Milne’s “Declined with Thanks” in his essay collection Not That It Matters (1920). As for the significance of individuals’ decisions to refuse money or job opportunities that are presented for any improper motives or purposes, Milne’s essay explores the possibility of emanating from these individual decisions a social movement that resists the collusion between political power, economic power, and the media. In helping my students to understand Milne’s seemingly impossible ethical vision, I emphasize critical thinking within the social and cultural contexts. Through this study on cases of teaching Milne’s essay on resistance as ethical sensitivity, I attempt to contribute to prove the value and necessity of literature, and more broadly, humanities in our society.