fandomhigh | Professor Chaucer's Office Hours, Tuesday

After his literature class, Dream taps on Geoff's office door.

Geoff's a little more amenable to visitors today, so his tone is a good bit friendlier, although possibly not very loud.

"It's unlocked, come in!"

Dream opens the door. Of course, it wouldn't have mattered to him if it had been locked, but he can be polite.

"Hello, Geoff. Do you remember that last term, we had discussed serving as guest lecturers for each other for a session or so? I wanted to ask if that still interested you."

"Professor Dream. Good to see you. Ah, yes, I am still interested, if you are. Do you have any ideas on how we could work this out?"

"I am," Dream confims. "Very much so."

He hands Geoff two sheets of paper, containing his tentative syllabi for Classics (http://game-of-you.livejournal.com/11236.html#cutid1) and Foreign Lit (http://game-of-you.livejournal.com/11450.html). "Do any of these subjects especially appeal to you? They may also give you some idea of the scope of what I would be able to lecture on. As my students are doing exceptionally well in the translation and grammar exercises, I am focusing more on literature in Classics this term."

Geoff looks over the syllabi. "Hm. Actually, I'm going to be teaching a class on Dante myself, focusing on Inferno. So I might be interested in that one."

He pulls some sheets of paper from his desk and hands them to Dream. "My syllabi: Western Lit (http://geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com/20661.html) and Poetry (http://geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com/21154.html). Do you see anything of interest? I've actually left an open space on my Western Lit syllabus, so if you had an idea to add something instead, I could do that as well."

Dream reads over the syllabi, and taps the poetry one. "I have quite a fondness for Poe. Would you be interested in relinquishing that class to me? I would be pleased to have you offer the general lecture on Dante to my class."

"Fair enough!" Geoff grins. "And both on the 21st as well, so that'll work out perfectly. Do you have any particular way you like your lectures done?"

"It is a small class, only four students. I generally lecture for the first half and then offer a question for discussion during the second half. ~~But my player makes it up as she goes along, so, really, anything goes.~~ Ms. Bristow is my TA; she is quite helpful."

"What is your format?"

"That sounds about right. My poetry class meets during the long 8th period, so I usually do a lecture on element or form, something about the reading assignment for that lesson, and then a discussion question. Any time left over, they can use for working on their reading for the next class. So I could do the first part of the lecture -- the part on the mechanics of poetry -- and leave the reading assignment lecture and discussion to you."

"That sounds fine," Dream concurs. "I will check in with you the week before, to ensure nothing has changed."

"I'm looking forward to it, Professor," Geoff replies, looking actually pretty enthusiastic despite his hangover.

"As am I, Mr. Chaucer," Dream says with a slight smile before leaving the office.

Kiki comes in, notebook and Symposium in hand. "Hello," she smiles.

[ooc: Mun hasn't actually read this one, so discussion probably won't be as good. Yay for Google and people posting essays (http://www.molloy.edu/academic/philosophy/SOPHIA/plato/symp_comm.htm) about the work.]

"Hey there, Kiki. Come in and have a seat -- I see you're all ready for a discussion on Plato."

Geoff smiles and runs a hand through his hair. "Let's see, how do we want to start. Well, first...I'll tell you what. Let's do a variation on the lecture Professor Cregg did in class for me. I'm going to read you a passage, twice, and I want you to pay attention to the way the meaning of what I'm saying changes between the two."

He reads aloud the second passage (http://prof-cregg.livejournal.com/42192.html) from CJ's class lecture, first with a solemn and grave tone, as though presenting a serious lecture, and then in a deeply engaging and impassioned presentation.

"Now, tell me how each of those readings made you feel about the material, and try and explain what it was I did that made you feel that way."

[OOC: No worries. This is a tough lesson to do in a one-on-one setting. Feel free to handwave or BS as needed. :)]

"The first sounds like a lecture, and kind of a tedious one, and the second sounds more... well, interesting. Because it's not being read as a robot, but as a sort of set of convictions," Kiki replies, trying to properly describe her reaction.

"How do you think each style of presentation would affect your interest in -- or even belief in -- the material being read?"

"Certainly, the first version I would have very little faith in, even if I paid close attention to it. With a droning monotone it's very difficult to keep anyone's interest for more than a few sentences. The second? Is far more compelling. It engages the audience more, and convinces the audience that the speaker himself believes in what he is saying, and it's that touch of...human interest, I guess, that will really resonate with an audience. Like me, for example."

Geoff nods. "And this is a point that's very important to oral literature. Presentation is as much a part as the writing itself. The most beautiful, most profound work can be utterly ruined by a bad reading, just as the dullest writing can be made interesting to listen to by someone capable of a good presentation."

Leaning back in his chair, he says, "All right. I've got two assignments for you. First, I want you to go into my classroom and choose a book at random, then a passage at random. Read the passage, decide how it makes you feel. And then read it to me -- but make me feel the opposite of the way you think the passage is meant to be taken. If it's romantic, I want you to make me feel angry. If it's a serious sermon, I want you to make me laugh. Your second assignment is the homework (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomhigh/543017.html#cutid1) I gave for class ~~which I am linking to just to keep this comment from going for omgever~~."

It is really probably rather unfortunate that Kiki opened Pride and Prejudice to the exact page where Mr. Collins makes his ponderous and absurd declaration of love and proposal of marriage to Elizabeth Bennet. She has absolutely no idea how to read it aloud - Mr. Collins would think it romantic. Lizzie and Jane Austen obviously think it ridiculous.

Deciding that Jane's derision is the 'true reading,' Kiki opts for Mr. Collins' earnest, logical, unromantic tones.

"My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly -- which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford -- between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was arranging Miss de Bourgh's footstool -- that she said, 'Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. -- Chuse properly, chuse a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.' Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity, I think, must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite. Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my views were directed to Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where, I assure you, there are many amiable young women. But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father (who, however, may live many years longer), I could not satisfy myself without resolving to chuse a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the melancholy event takes place -- which, however, as I have already said, may not be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem. And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the four per cents., which will not be yours till after your mother's decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure youself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married."

Kiki has nearly broken into laughter at least six times throughout this reading. In fact, by the end of it, she's nearly crying from the effort of holding it in. She sets the book down, exclaiming, "And he really thinks he's doing her a favor!"

Geoff grins. "Did reading it aloud give you any different insight, or alter your reaction, compared to when you'd read it silently?"

He's trying to hold in his own laughter, because it really is a brilliant piece of satire, and because Kiki's earnest reading especially highlighted the ridiculous nature Austen was trying to portray.

Wiping her eyes, Kiki answers, "It's certainly even funnier when read out loud in the way that Mr. Collins would have delivered it. Which serves to highlight what a pompous nitwit her really is, too. He actually believes everything he's saying, and on the othe side, Lizzie can't at all believe what she's hearing. Reading it silently, I interpreted it just in Austen's tone of making fun of Mr. Collins - or his type - but out loud as Mr. Collins would have delivered it makes him all the more silly."

"And there you see the power of oral presentation. Eddas, plays, ballads...were all intended to performed aloud, not read on paper. A good writer can bring across their meaning and the power of their words on paper, but a skilled presentation can push that power a step further for the listeners."

Geoff grins. "Then all that leaves is the written assignment. And the reading, of course. But those are both due next week." He gives Kiki a copy of the lecture notes. "Did you have any questions about the reading for this week?"

"Reading the Inferno? I think I'm all set on that. Do you have a preferred translation?" Kiki asks.

[ooc: Only because in HS, the mun argued with a fellow classics geek debating the merits of the John Ciardi vs. the Allen Mendelbaum (which I still maintain is the better). Oh yes, we were lit-dorks. Hee!]

"There's a translation available in the book closet, but you're welcome to read any one you like. We'll actually be discussing translations in poetry class, so you may even find it interesting to read a passage or two from different translations and see what you think of them."

"Great," Kiki answers with a nod. "I think that's about everything, unless you have anything else-?"

"No, nothing at all. I'll see you this afternoon in class!"

She walks through the adjoining door and flops on his couch, which is waaay more comfortable than hers. She pulls out a sandwich and stares at him while she eats.

Hangover plus crazed teenage girl hormones do not equal the way Geoff had hoped to spend his lunch. But he looks up at CJ with a quirk of his eyebrow.

"Did you want something, CJ?"

Chewing, she shakes her head no, then lays down and stares at the ceiling instead. Hey, at least she's quiet...

Geoff comes to a decision. Well, a group of possible options, really. He either doesn't understand women at all, doesn't understand teenagers at all, doesn't understand CJ at all, or he's losing his mind.

Part of him hopes it's the last. Because then at least he's pretty sure he can get a bed and a free meal out of it now and again.

Since CJ doesn't seem to be interested in talking, Geoff goes back to pretending read and nursing his hangover.

After a good long time moping while she finishes her sandwich, she pulls out chocolate milk and turns to look at him. She looks about ready to cry.

"Geoff? Would you come with me Sunday? To Alexandria?"

Looking up again, he sees CJ's teary expression and looks concerned.

"Alexandria? What's wrong, CJ? Why do you need to go to Alexandria?"

"I don't need to. I want to. I miss the boys."

She looks down at her hands.

"Yeah, nevermind. It's a stupid idea."

"It's--"

Geoff closes his eyes for a moment. "It's not a stupid idea, CJ. But...it's not a good idea. They needed to go, to get away. And it was hard for them, as hard I think as it was for us. If we don't let them go, it'll just be that much more difficult for them to separate themselves from this place. And I think they need to do that."

Opening his eyes, which are a little wet now, he says, "Loz promised they'd write. Just...we need to just give them time. It's only been a couple of days."

I miss them too, he thinks, and closes his eyes again.

Anger and sadness and frustration and helplessness race around inside her. So many things she wants to talk about. Geoff would get it. He would. But he has a point. She marvels at how something in her seems to demand instant gratification. Greedy. Selfish. Invincible. Man, Ten's a good kisser. I wonder if I have any more food? Geoff has a point. I should see if he'll dye my hair too. Huh? Snapping back to the now, she nods.

"Yeah."

Looking back up at CJ, Geoff nods as well. "If...we don't hear anything from them in a couple of weeks, I'll go to Alexandria with you. If you still want to go then. Just to see if we can find out how they are."

She smiles just a little , and it fades almost immediately. "Kay. Thanks."

Sighing dramatically, she kicks one leg up onto the back of the couch. Then the other. Then she turns herself upside down and stares at him.

"Tell me a poem?"

"You can only listen to poetry when you're standing on your head?" Geoff smiles.

"If you wish, milady. Although yesterday you had no use for my poems," he reminds her. "So today you one that isn't mine. But it's pretty good, all the same."

Sitting back in his chair a bit, Geoff recites a poem.

"Voi ch'ascoltate in rime sparse il suono
di quei sospiri ond'io nudriva 'l core
in sul mio primo giovenile errore
quand'era in parte altr'uom da quel ch'i' sono,

del vario stile in ch'io piango et ragiono
fra le vane speranze e 'l van dolore,
ove sia chi per prova intenda amore,
spero trovar pietà, nonché perdono.

Ma ben veggio or sí come al popol tutto
favola fui gran tempo, onde sovente
di me mesdesmo meco mi vergogno;

et del mio vaneggiar vergogna è 'l frutto,
e 'l pentersi, e 'l conoscer chiaramente
che quanto piace al mondo è breve sogno."

Eyes closed she smiles and plays with her hair. "You couldn't have picked something in French I could have understood? You're a meanie."

Righting herself, she laughs. "Thanks Geoff.

Laughing, Geoff replies, "Sit back down and I'll tell you one in French if you like. Or would you like me to translate that one into French? I can do that too, you know."

"That's cuz you've got a talented mouth." she grins at him and leans forward. "And that sounds really gross coming from me now, huh?"

"It sounds...a little strange, yes," Geoff answers, chuckling. "But the sentiment is understood. Just...try not to do that anymore until you're grown up again, all right?"

She grins and gets an utterly wicked look, "What, come on to you? Come on poet..."

Geoff rolls his eyes. "Between you and Ten, I'm going to end up in an institution. Begone with you, wench! Go and do something...that won't get you thrown in jail."

He returns the grin.

Moving toward him, she wraps her arms around him and kisses his cheek. "Sure thing, old man. Don't get caught, that's a good lesson to learn." Laughing sweetly, she heads back into her office and sits. Cheered up, she's not even mean to Lana. (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomhigh/548373.html?thread=25954325#t25954325)

Professor Chaucer's Office Hours, Tuesday

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch

Re: During Lunch