TWO- 

1. “…Though it is certainly worth reminding ourselves that Greek and Roman classics, largely displaced from our curriculum, have in fact definitively shaped modern consciousness (8).” I found this comment interesting as it made me wonder why we don’t  focus on Greek or Roman philosophy more. As mentioned in the prior in the book, these  forgotten philosophers and their ideas are the grassroots to many modern fundamentals in not only science, but life in general. For instance, Lucretius proposed what is now known as the Law of Conservation of Energy, stating that atoms and energy can not be created or destroyed (pg 5). Yet, despite his findings being so monumental in the science field, we rarely hear his name amongst other scientists. 
2. “He was not in search of books of hours or missals or hymnals whose exquisite illuminations and splendid bindings made manifest their value even to the illiterate (pg 17).” This statement made me think back to the preface and the narrator’s reasonings for picking up the book. In the preface, the narrator was primarily attracted to the book’s cover and did not even open it prior to purchasing it. It made me wonder how Poggio would think about this.

ONE- 

While reading the preface of the novel “The Swerve” I found a connection between the narrator’s and I’s mothers in regard to the fears of death they both share. Throughout my childhood, I vividly remember my mother expressing the fears of death that she had. Often she would make remarks such as “who knows if I still be here” or guilting us to give her a hug or kiss before she left “just incase” it was the last time we saw each other. Looking back at it now, I am aware that these fears are a result of her mother dying when she was 19‒similar to how the narrator’s mother had a sister pass away when she was 16 years old (pg 4). I can find myself relating to the narrator’s only reflecting upon these behaviors later on in life and realizing how abnormal and hindering they were (pg 3). 

Q-How does the concept of fate impact a person’s decisions and behaviors? Does it allow people to shift accountability for their motives and actions?