Join us for this course of elder heroes as they—men and women, American and international —show us what the new old age is really about.

Older heroes behave very differently than younger ones: their journeys are often inward rather than outward, backward rather than forward, slow and intentional rather than fast and impetuous. But their actions are just as heroic if not more so, for the stakes are higher, time is shorter, and invincibility a thing of the past.

The Straight Story – David Lynch chronicles a trip made by 73-year-old Alvin Straight from Laurens, Iowa, to Mt. Zion, Wisconsin, in 1994 while riding a lawn mower (his poor eyesight wouldn’t allow him to renew his driver’s license). He takes this strange journey to mend his relationship with his ill, estranged, 75-year-old brother Lyle.

Judy Everson, retired Professor of English from the University of Illinois at Springfield and IHC Board Alum, will leadthis session using this format: introduction of the film or novel, screening the film, refreshment break, guided discussion of our experience of the themes in the film or novel.

This new course is made possible by the participation of the Academy of Lifelong Learning in a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) entitled Examining a New Model for Old Age in Literature and Film. Lincoln Land Community College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning is one of nineteen sites across the country (and the only one in Illinois) participating in this program initiated by the University of Massachusetts – Boston Learning in Retirement group.

Free Course. Registration Required.

Register for course LLL 102-01 through Lincoln Land Community College registration services at (217) 786-2292. Visit prairie.org for a listing of each session for this course.