Act I Scene IV
10th
grade
Prep for
International Baccalaureate Higher Level English
Larissa has just completed her 45-minute oral
dissertation on George Orwell’s 1984.
The students have erupted in applause. She is glowing; she knows she has nailed
the most difficult assignment of the year. Mr. Sweetman is smiling. The
applause takes a long time to stop. Josh and David high-five Larissa. She takes
a seat to receive her feedback. She is wearing a black and white striped prison
costume, as part of her presentation.
MR. SWEETMAN
Okay! Okay! I know we’re very excited, but
let’s take a moment to jot down our final feedback notes and let Larissa know
some of our highlighting thoughts. Who wants to start us off?
DAVID
I thought that was amazing! I loved the
cookie as society metaphor—and the cookies are delicious!
Students nod and hmmm in
agreement. Mr. Sweetman smiles.
DIANA
I can’t believe you baked cookies! And the
costume! It’s so cool! How did you think of that?
MARINA
Yeah! I really liked how you compared Winston
to yourself and his world to our school, making parallels between dictatorships
and institutions. That was really cool.
DAVID
Yeah, I agree. I liked the monologue part
where you spoke as if you were Winston. That was so creative.
JOSH
Um, I know I’m not supposed to talk because
she’s my girlfriend, but like, she rocked. I know she’s gonna get an Oscar one
day. I really liked the monologue part too, and the costume.
Students laugh. Mr. Sweetman
chuckles.
LARISSA
Thank you! I appreciate all the support guys.
MR. SWEETMAN
Yes, yes, I agree with all that’s been said.
It was indeed very engaging and entertaining, Larissa. And thank you for the
delicious cookies. Your approach to Winston as a part of every person is indeed
very creative and your monologue was touching. I think we were all able to
relate to the part of feeling like school is a bit of a dictatorship…
Students laugh.
MR. SWEETMAN
However, I am sorry to say this, I really do
feel very bad because that was truly phenomenal… But, um… you did not fulfill
the requirements of the oral dissertation rubric. Although we understood your
thesis through your costume and artifacts, you didn’t state it clearly, and you
didn’t use at least two pieces of evidence, direct quotes and such, to support
your, um, statements. Your language and demeanor were too informal. The cookie
and speaking in the first person like you were the character... well, it’s just
not relevant to the expectation of the IB HL rubric…
Pause. The class has fallen
silent. Mr. Sweetman wipes sweat off his forehead. He takes a deep breath.
MR. SWEETMAN
I’m afraid I have to fail you for this
assignment, Larissa. I really did think your performance was terrific… but it’s
just not fulfilling the requirements of the IB rubric, and I need to prepare
you for the oral test in two years. Your grade will be a 64%.
Long pause. The students are
stone silent and looking at Larissa, who is on the verge of tears. Finally, she
speaks.
LARISSA
That’s bullshit and you know it. I’m leaving
your classroom. Fuck this.
Although Mr. Sweetman seems like he's not a sweet man in this scene, he was a very sweet teacher, and I hope I was able to portray that I know this was hard for him. I still think of him fondly, but I had to share this moment when the seed was planted. I felt betrayed by my education system that day and I have never recovered. My voice was shut down because my teacher had to teach to a test and assess through a rubric.
ReplyDeleteI have been told that it was a good thing that he failed me, that it was meant to ground me and help me be a realistic person, and that I needed such a barrier in order for my creativity to push through and soar. Perhaps. But I still call bullshit on that. When a 15-year-old student expresses something truthful that comes from her heart, I cannot for the life of me understand how it benefits her to have it shut down for the sake of fitting into a formula of success.