Jonathan,
Mr. Hundert intimidated? Not on your life. As it turns out, in the end Mr. Hundert is captivated by Sedgewick Bell who get's more than his share of the teacher's attention.
I am not surprised we disagree, but as you point out:
Young Bell succeeds in seducing his teacher into compromising his principles.
Anyone who can get you to compromise your own principles, has a command over you. I see intimidation, by Mr. Hundert's first impression, comments and actions with Sedgewick. Mr. Hundert, sends Sedgewick to the board to
"copy out the emperors. Of course, he did not know the names of any of them, and my boys had to call them out, repeatedly correcting his spelling as he wrote in a sloppy hand:" all the while lifting and resettling the legs of his short pants in mockery of what his classmates were wearing. "Young man," I said, "this is a serious class, and I expect that you will take it seriously." "It it's such a serious class, then why're they all wearing dresses?" he responded, again to laughter, although by now Fred Masoudi had loosened the rope belt at his waist and the boys around him were shifting uncomfortably in their togas. From the first day, Sedgewick Bell was a boor and a bully, a damper to the illumination of the eager minds of my boys and a purveyor of the mean-spirited humor that is like kerosene in a school such as ours."Mr. H. can see this one individual, has turned his classroom upside down in seconds of entering the classroom. He has resorted to calling him a boor and a bully, and even when he sees he is not the least bit intelligent to the class lesson, he still does compromise his morals and judgement by allowing him to be in the contest.
But what is more interesting for me, is why would Mr. H., allow this to go on? Why would he seem to resort to an immature behavior, and begin immediately trying to ridicule Sedgewick by making him go to the board and copy the emperors? That was like throwing down a challenge, a gauntlet so to speak, letting Sedgewick see he has indeed rattled the teacher, and how does Sedgewick react to this challenge, being told this is a serious class? He turns right around and cracks a joke. Showing no respect for the authority of his teacher, and sending the message to the rest of his fellow students, he is in control. Their reactions are to feel uncomfortable, and show Sedgewick they are bending to him.
Since I have personally dealt with Sedgewicks in my teaching career, what I would have done differently, is have Sedgewick take his seat in class, and give him little to no attention. Carry on with the lesson.
Do you suppose it is Mr. H.'s lack of experience, since he has only taught for a few years that has him reacting to Sedgewick? Or could it be that Mr. H., is a bit bored with teaching this class that conforms to his seriousness, and is looking for a bit of challenge in this "
roustabout"? And, if so, has Mr. H., bitten off more than he expected?
PatH., I have to agree with you. I see Sedgewick has a personality that demands attention, and gets it in whatever way possible. If disruption is a means to get it, than that is what he will do. He is young, immature, reckless, spoiled, entitled, challenges authority, and yes, wants acceptance, even if it means getting it in a negative way. Sadly, Mr. H., buys into it.
