Jonathan Livingston Seagull – Project

Directions: Read the quotes and questions below; answer the questions in a unique way. – demonstrating something about you. (You do not have to answer every question – just use these questions as a guide.) Maybe you want to write a song and play it for the class. Maybe you want to illustrate a cartoon. Maybe you want to make a diorama. Maybe you want to write your own short story.

“But Jonathan Livingston Seagull, unashamed, stretching his wings again in that trembling hard curve – slowing, slowing, and stalling once –more – was no ordinary bird.”

Are you an ordinary bird? What makes you unique from everyone else? What are you not ashamed of?

“Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight…”

What are the simplest facts of living? (eating, sleeping, shelter) How is your life more complicated?

“He climbed two thousand feet above the black sea, and without a moment for thought of failure and death, he brought his forewings tightly in to his body…”

Is it important to take risks? What risks do you take/ plan on taking.

“How much more there is now to living! Instead of our drab slogging forth and back to the fishing boats, there’s a reason to life!”

If Jonathan’s reason for living is the joy of flying, what is yours?

“You must begin by knowing that you have already arrived.”

What does this mean? What are your goals, and do you visualize yourself accomplishing your goals?

“The Law said stay; Jonathan said go.”

Is it necessary to break the rules? In what circumstances?