Daedalus and Icarus within: The Literature/Art/Writing Connection.

The novel is written in the first person, tracing Daedalus's thoughts as he shaped the sensate world into new patterns, invented new processes, tried new materials. "Ayrton, a 20th century man," I thought with amazement, "sees himself as the archetypal creative human being. Ayrton, writing the story of Daedalus, sculpting bronzes of the Minotaur, making wings of wax and feathers, is the craftsman." And, in Ayrton's words, I saw my own potential creative self. Moreover, I was reminded that all of us-especially our students-are creative human beings in whom potential remains latent or is channeled in unproductive directions. I saw that all humans have a profound need to be artisans in the maze of life.