The Loneliness of the Long Distance Learner

摘要

The title of this paper is adapted from the 1962 film, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, in which a young man from a deprived socio-economic background commits a crime and is placed in detention. Despite his circumstances he rises in status due to his prowess as a long distance runner and is selected to enter a race against more privileged runners. The film ends with him on the point of easily winning the race but stopping before the finish line as memories of his past and thoughts of his future present a picture of desolation. The message is that an individual's self-esteem can be built up but just as quickly can be destroyed, often by factors outside their control.