Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 2002. Vol. 8. Eger Journal of American Studies.(Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 28)

Studies - Lenke Németh: Academia as a Carnivalized Space: A Bakhtinian Reading of David Mamet's Oleanna

Student in his own special field of research, namely, in higher education, exemplifies the distorting effect of business priorities on his professional approach of teaching. He may well be successful in the quantifiable aspects of his career (number of books, rise in payment), yet he has failed in all the roles that a student demands of a teacher: "to acknowledge him in whatever 'role' it may be—authority, benevolence, militancy, knowledge, etc" (Barthes 384). In a scene that I qualify as a "carnivalistic scandal," Carol admits that she does not understand any of his books and spells out the help she needs "Teach me. Teach me" (Mamet 1 I). Ironically, the title of his book, The Curse of Modern Education, carries with it a striking, undercutting "carnivalistic overtone" as well as the dualistic effect of business space: this is the book whose ideas the professor is unable to communicate to the student, yet its success has greatly contributed to his expected promotion. In a "paired scene" in the third act, Carol's effort to ban the professor's books from the curriculum seems to be legitimate from her point of view. There is no need for his books if he proves to be incompetent in communicating through the ideas in them. John's confrontation with the student's desperate plea to teach her intensifies John's sense of responsibility, and apparently, he turns into an understanding and helpful educator. He acknowledges that Carol cannot blame herself for not having understood a thing: "that's my fault. And that is not verbiage. That's what I firmly hold to be truth. And I am sorry, And I owe you an apology" (17). Feeling shattered by this realization, and also, urged to be acknowledged and appreciated by the student, the professor attempts to restore and build a positive self-image through a reassuring relationship with Carol. So. on the face of it, he becomes generous, considerate, and sympathetic with the student. Paradoxically, the disfiguring influence of business space also saturates these newly evolving traits, and they will completely confuse Carol. John's apparently generous offer to change her grade to "A" signals the operation of business principles: "Your grade for the whole term is an 'A.' If you will come back and meet with me. A few more times" (25). By transgressing the rules and norms at the university, he actually buys and trades in the student's appreciation. Eventually, he employs corrupt, manipulative practices for his own interests. 243