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jeudi 4 septembre 2014

Tales :Oscar's rise and fall from stardom

Oscar Pistorius – the rise and fall of a sports hero

Mardi, avril 8th, 2014

Oscar Pistorius was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1986. At the age of 17 he won a gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Athens. Famous for his artificial legs which earned him the nickname « Bladerunner » he went on to become an international sporting superstar. In the 2012 London Olympic Games he made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in Olympic Games. However the following year in February 2013, Pistorius was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The trial started in Pretoria on Monday 3 March.
His story is the perfect example of a modern-day hero’s fall from grace.

Below you will find some links about the rise and fall of Pistorius:
- The story of Oscar Pistorius : http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/21455930
- Article « Pistorius, the fall of a Hero » : http://www.politisite.com/2014/03/04/oscar-pistorius-fall-of-a-hero/
- Article « The myth of sporting heroes » : http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2014-03-11-531f912e65221/#.U0KbKPl_tGk
- Video: The Blade runner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyMwhuCYo9E
the rise and fall of a hero : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD-oqGceF3A

TL : Myths and Heroes

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-real-meaning-of-the-word-hero/

Vocabulary :http://www.franglish.fr/4notions/hero_sound/index.html

quotes for your oral

« The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else. » Umberto Eco
« Everyone’s a hero in their own way, in their own not that heroic way. » Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jed Whedon
« Heroing is one of the shortest-lived professions there is. » Will Rogers

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Everyone is necessarily the hero of his own life story. John Barth

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. Bob Dylan (1941 – )

A myth is a religion in which no one any longer believes. James Feibleman

Questions

Myths and Heroes

Who do you consider to be your hero? Why?
Is it a sportsperson, an actor, an artist, a pop star, a member of your family, an ordinary hero such as a fireman? Why is this person considered a role model?
What are his/her qualities?
Why are myths and heroes important to our society?
Do you think that myths and heroes can teach us a lesson?
Can you think of an anti-hero? Can you talk about their behaviour?