Nolan’s lesson: Never fear the stranger on your shore. Nolan’s lesson: The scene is left on the cutting-room floor—although Nolan later resurrects the lotus to undermine one of the most dramatic choices in literary history. Nolan’s lesson: Womanly compassion can heal the psychological scars of committing egregious war crimes. Nolan’s lesson: The warrior must confess his guilt, surrender his authority, and depart in shame. One would do far better to reread Homer than submit to Nolan’s toxic assault on Western civilization.