Summary
The story "Of This Time, of That Place" revolves around Joseph Howe, a poet and English instructor at Dwight College, who grapples with the complexities of his students and his own place in the literary world. The narrative explores themes of identity, madness, and professional integrity against the backdrop of academic life. Through the interactions between Howe and his students, the tale delves into the varied challenges faced by educators and the delicate balance they must maintain.
The Unconventional Arrival
The classroom setting at Dwight College is disrupted when Joseph Howe begins his modern drama course. As he prepares to engage his students with a writing assignment, an unexpected figure enters the room. The newcomer, a tall and awkward student named Ferdinand R. Tertan, introduces himself with an air of authority, stating, "I am Tertan, Ferdinand R., reporting at the direction of Head of Department Vincent." Despite his unusual entrance, Tertan's essay on "Who I am and why I came to Dwight College" reveals his extensive knowledge, but it is marred by erratic and flamboyant rhetoric. Tertan's reflections on identity are encapsulated in the passionate question, "Who am I?" He professes, "Tertan I am, but what is Tertan? Of this time, of that place, of some parentage, what does it matter?" His introspective musings hint at a struggle to grasp his own existence and purpose.
Criticism and Its Consequences
That evening, Howe's personal and professional life takes a turn when he reads Life and Letters, a journal that features a harsh critique of his poetry. The essay, penned by Frederick Woolley, attacks the "precious subjectivism" present in Howe's work. Woolley, with his "humanitarian politics," criticizes poets like Howe for their perceived detachment from society's plights, dismissing them as "well-nigh inhuman." According to Woolley, such poets reside in ivory towers, neglecting the "millions facing penury and want." Howe is disheartened to be labeled as a representative of these so-called irresponsible poets.
A Complicated Ally
While still reeling from Woolley's scathing review, Howe finds himself facing another unexpected encounter. Tertan visits his office, claiming familiarity with Woolley's critique and professing his allegiance to Howe's cause against literary philistines. This declaration leaves Howe uncomfortable as Tertan's fervor suggests an imagined alliance. Tertan's alignment with Howe against a common adversary feels both flattering and troubling to the instructor, whose position is becoming more precarious.
Theodore Blackburn's Influence
Complications continue for Howe with the arrival of Theodore Blackburn, the vice president of the Student Council. Displaying a blend of obsequiousness and self-importance, Blackburn gushes over "Shakespeare who is so dear to us of the Anglo-Saxon tradition" and requests to sit in on Howe's Romantic prose course. As they proceed to the classroom, Blackburn's presumptuous attempt to escort Howe incites the latter's irritation, resulting in a tense interaction. Howe's growing impatience reveals the simmering tension beneath the surface of academic decorum.
Confronting Challenges
Throughout the academic year, Howe grapples with the fallout from Woolley's critique, Tertan's increasing detachment from reality, and Blackburn's dissatisfaction with his grades. Concerned about Tertan's mental state, Howe takes his case to the academic dean, who is already aware of Tertan's instability due to a letter portraying Howe as a "Paraclete." With the dean's guidance, a physician evaluates Tertan and concludes that he is descending into madness. When Tertan requests a recommendation for the Quill and Scroll Society, Howe provides a carefully worded, noncommittal endorsement of Tertan's "intense devotion to letters."
A Threatening Proposition
The situation escalates when Blackburn confronts Howe about his grade, resorting to threats of blackmail to secure a better mark. Blackburn cites Woolley's essay, unaware that the...
(This entire section contains 759 words.)
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dean is already familiar with it, and implies that he could portray Howe as both an incompetent poet and a supporter of a mentally unstable student. Howe's response is calm yet firm: "Blackburn, you're mad." In a decisive act, Howe alters Blackburn's grade from a C-minus to an F, refusing to yield to manipulation.
Conclusion and Reflections
In the end, Howe decides to pass Blackburn in his course, eager to eliminate the ongoing nuisance. Following graduation, Blackburn becomes the first of his class to secure employment. On commencement day, Tertan makes a striking appearance in a raw silk suit, Panama hat, and bamboo cane, embodying his unique sense of style. As Howe finds himself reluctantly in the company of Blackburn and the dean, he witnesses Tertan's quiet passage through the crowd, feeling a profound empathy for the young man's plight. Tertan then disappears into what is described as "the last sudden flux of visitors," leaving a lasting impression on Howe.