Some Quotations of Interest

Read through these quotations, then respond to the questions that follow below.

Homeless to Harvard begins and ends with Murray saying these words:

"I loved my mother so much. She was a drug addict. She was an alcoholic. She was legally blind. She was a schizophrenic. But I never forgot that she loved me, even if she did. All the time. All the time. All, all the time."

In interview with NY Times people:

"Because I was turned so inward by my mom and dad, I got a chance to see how all the little tiny things come together to make the final product. So I was never inclined to wonder why this, or why that. I knew why. " […]

At end of film:

"I don't have to carry my whole life with me anymore. I don't have to carry my whole life with me, but I do…It's still hard to carry alone. So that's why I've told you. That's why I've told you my story…"

To her father in film:

"You know, when I was little, you were the most interesting thing in my world. Everyone was just talking about drugs or sex or you know just trying to survive the day. But you always had ideas. Because of you, I know that there's another way of being."

from: http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=15641

"It's not about Harvard, it's not about a prestigious school," says Liz Murray of her incredible and uplifting life story, which she shared with an audience at DePauw University tonight. "It's not about that. It's about learning, about educating yourself and gathering enough knowledge to find your way through any little crack or crevice you possibly can so you can move up and escape from that trap you were born into…" She now has her sights set on a masters degree in sociology and psychology hoping to "understand what creates motivation in a human being and how to apply that in society. Is there a way to create upward mobility? Is there a way to break class differences?," she asked. Murray's ultimate goal is to create a coaching and seminar company that will work with groups, perhaps specializing in inner-city schools.

Questions about the Story: Homeless to Harvard, The Liz Murray Story

You don't need to write out answers; just jot some notes to help with discussion on Tues. Jan. 27th.

1) According to the script for this film and what you read in "Some Quotations of Interest" above, why did Murray write her story?

2) Why does anyone tell their life story?

3) How is Murray represented as a character in this story? Who is she as a person?

4) The film opens and closes with Liz talking about her mother. Her mother, in effect, frames her life telling. What's the significance of this?

5) What is the significance of the scene in which Liz and her friend throw mud at each other?

6) What is the significance of the scene in which Liz bumps into her friend just as she's leaving for the New York Times interview?

7) According to this story, what is "success"? Does the story ever critique or interrogate accepted notions of success?

8) Is gender ever an issue of any kind in this story? Is homelessness the same for women as for men? As for teens?

9) Here's an odd question: is homelessness ever a good thing? What exactly is a home?

10) Where or what is home for you?

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