Word: chiron
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Stolen Fire. In the novel. Caldwell's life is recalled years later by his son Peter. Partly as metaphor, partly by metamorphosis in Peter's mind. Caldwell the science teacher becomes Chiron, in Greek mythology the wisest of the Centaurs. It was Chiron who taught the young heroes and godlings, and who, wounded by one of Hercules' poisoned arrows, longed for death, although he was immortal. Chiron was allowed death after he gave his immortality to Prometheus, who created man and stole fire for him from Olympus...
Widening Awe. Through the author's elaborate literary construction, Caldwell-Chiron clumps on two feet or prances on four. In both shapes his portrait is memorable. The other god-teachers, too, are drawn with grace and wit. There is a wry. schoolboy truth in seeing Father Zeus as a capricious pedagogue who tyrannizes teachers and likes to fondle the shoulders of girl students...
...using such a method to state a son's widening awe of a rare father, the author obliged himself not only to retell the beautiful Chiron myth, but to give at least some attention to Prometheus-even though his intent is not to translate myths into modern terms, but to illuminate a modern hero's death with myths. Updike slights Prometheus, and his book surfers. The reader learns little more than that Peter is bright, has psoriasis (the vulture's peck, presumably), and that as an adult he is a second-rate abstract painter with a Negro...
...announced winner was Louis Chiron, 54, a Monte Carlo citizen who sped his 115.h.p. Lancia Aurelia over the final 2.14 miles of twisting city streets at 45 m.p.h. Chiron's secret of success over his Rally route: "Careful timing, eating, planning and determination . . . I munched dried fruit-grapes, apricots, figs-as well as chocolate and sugar all the way. I never quit eating . . . Others lost weight and time...
Score: Lowell 25, Adams 10. Goals: Walsh 4, Bates 3, Chiron 3, Stern, S. W., 2, Wells 2, Drimmer 2, Hale 1, Nottingham 1, Wesner 1. Free throws: Wells...