CATS -- Has anyone done a study on TS Eliot's poem & the musical?

[Beth in SW WA]

Text of poem is here:

http://coral.lili.uni-bielefeld.de/Classes/Summer97/SemGS/WebLex/OldPossum/oldpossumlex/oldpossumlex.html

We watched Cats on dvd this weekend and we love it! I can't believe I never watched this before. In researching the poem that inspired the musical, I think I stumbled on a few gems.

Anyone had their dc read the poem and do a study?

Any ideas for themes?

This is the only free study I found:

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/course/course1/unit/theme2/webresources/namingofcats.shtml

[Michelle in MO]

my oldest did a report on T.S. Eliot a few years ago; I thought she read "Cats". If she has anything saved on the computer, I'll pass it along to you!

Update: Beth, dd just informed me that she doesn't have that any more---a "few years ago" in my mind was probably closer to 6 years ago! Sorry!

I do really like T.S. Eliot, though. I think he said once something like (loosely quoted): "Shakespeare and Dante have divided the world between them; there is no third." Wow!

[Cindy in Indy]

I just bought a copy of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats for my 14 yo ds. He loves poetry AND cats - and it suddenly popped into my head that he'd like T.S. Eliot's book. I'm trying to hold it to give him for Christmas (hopefully I won't break down and give it to him early). I was just going to let him enjoy the poetry, but if you find a worthwhile study, please post and let us know. It might be a good enrichment.

Don't think I could get him to watch the musical. People dancing and singing are not his thing. (Even if they look and move like cats!)

Cindy in Indy

[RebeccaC]

Nope, but we will now! Thanks for the links and ideas and sure do wish I could rep ya for it ;)

[CynthiaOK]

Oh, I got Old Possum on audio and the boys and I loved it. Hadn't thought of doing anything more with it than just listen, but maybe....