Activity 2: True Beauty

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Photocopy Handout 1,”The Prophet on Beauty”, one for each participant.

Description of Activity

Participants use a poem to reflect upon what we call “beauty”.

Distribute Handout 1,”The Prophet on Beauty”. Invite two or three volunteers to read the poem aloud. Allow thirty seconds of silence to pass between readings.

Lead a “What do we have here?” discussion, using these questions:

  • This handout is a chapter from the book The Prophet, which is composed of twenty-six “poetic essays”. Should we consider this a poem? Why or why not?
  • What is the poem about?
  • Why is beauty spoken of as “she”?
  • How do the lines “All these things have you said of beauty. Yet in truth you spoke not of her but of needs unsatisfied”, explain the preceding lines?

Use these questions to lead a “What’s the big idea?” discussion:

  • What does this poem have to say about true beauty? Do you agree or disagree?
  • The poet says that beauty is “an image you see though you close your eyes and a song you hear though you shut your ears.” Can you think of a time you encountered beauty that stayed with you long after you left it’s presence?
  • The author also speaks of beauty being unveiled. When have you been surprised by unexpected beauty?