Summary
In "In the Garden of the North American Martyrs," readers follow Mary, a history professor whose adherence to conventional wisdom is tested by unforeseen circumstances. Her journey begins with a career upheaval when the institution she has loyally served collapses due to financial mismanagement. This narrative explores themes of complacency, betrayal, and ultimately, personal awakening.
An Unexpected Career Shift
The story unfolds with the introduction of Mary, a history professor known for her cautious approach, ensuring her career remains unblemished by controversy. After spending fifteen years at Brandon College, Mary’s sense of security is shattered when the college abruptly closes due to an administrative fiasco involving reckless financial decisions. This revelation challenges her belief that prudence is always rewarded. Her realization that a seemingly stable institution could be jeopardized so easily leaves her disillusioned but also sparks a change in her perspective.
Exploring New Opportunities
Mary’s subsequent job hunt offers little hope, yielding only a single opportunity at a “new experimental college in Oregon.” This prospective job feels more akin to a high school environment, with “bells ringing all the time” and hallways lined with lockers. Dissatisfied with this option and the state of Oregon, Mary continues her search. Three years later, she unexpectedly receives an invitation from Louise, a former colleague from Brandon, to apply for a position at a prestigious college in upstate New York, where Louise now works. Mary is surprised by this gesture, recalling Louise as someone self-centered and indifferent, yet she proceeds to submit her resume. Louise soon informs her that an interview has been secured.
An Unsettling Reunion
Mary feels a sense of familiarity upon arriving in New York, greeted by Louise at the airport. However, the car ride to the college reveals a more personal side of Louise, who seeks reassurance from Mary about her appearance and casually mentions her affair, expressing dissatisfaction with her family’s reaction. Louise also informs Mary that a lecture will be part of the interview, offering her own paper on the Marshall Plan as a backup. With little preparation, Mary is left at the visitor’s center as Louise departs for a rendezvous with her lover.
Midnight Confessions
Later that night, Mary’s rest is interrupted by a distraught Louise seeking validation and venting frustrations about her lover, Jonathan. As Louise broods through the night, Mary tries to comfort her, only to be met with a disparaging remark about her own looks. Louise eventually settles into a night of chain-smoking on the couch, leaving Mary exhausted and sleep-deprived by morning.
The Historical Facade
Mary spends the next morning exploring the campus with Roger, a student guide. The campus, an exact replica of an English college, serves as a backdrop for several college-themed films. Contemplating the school’s motto, “God helps those who help themselves,” Mary reflects on its implications, given that many of the college’s notable alumni have built fortunes through aggressive and unscrupulous means. Roger proudly showcases the college’s power plant, which he declares to be the institution's heart and soul. He speaks of the college's progressiveness, noting that "girls" and female faculty are now part of the community due to a policy change mandating women be interviewed for each position.
A Disheartening Interview
The interview process begins on a sour note, as Louise and her male colleagues arrive late and treat Mary dismissively. Their conversation is superficial, dominated by trivial comparisons between the climates of Oregon and New York, before they abruptly declare their schedule is too tight to continue. In a moment of self-awareness, Mary jokingly suggests that they "should give her the job," only to be met...
(This entire section contains 771 words.)
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with silence, realizing she was never seriously considered for the role. Confronting Louise about the sham interview, Mary learns that Louise’s primary motive was self-serving, intending to lift her own spirits with a visit from Mary. "I deserve some love and friendship but I don’t get any," Louise laments.
A Bold Departure
Despite the disillusioning experience, Mary proceeds with the interview’s final requirement—a lecture. Facing an audience of students and faculty, Mary decides to abandon the safe option of presenting Louise’s research. Instead, she recounts the harrowing tale of French Jesuit missionaries captured and tortured by the Iroquois. When Dr. Howells attempts to cut her off, Mary continues with fervor, quoting the missionary’s last words: "Mend your lives… turn from power to love. Be kind. Do justice. Walk humbly." In a symbolic act of defiance, Mary turns off her hearing aid, liberating herself from the dismissive environment and choosing to speak her truth unfettered by outside interruptions.