Summer's Echo by Summer Seline Coyle

Author:Summer Seline Coyle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Grief and Loss, Oppression, Suspense, Older Characters, Redemption
Publisher: Acacia Leaf Press
Published: 2021-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16/ A LESSON IN LITERATURE

The tall, pudgy man with the prominent chin at the front of the room twirled his moustache.

“Why did Caleb want to return to Nova Scotia to live on the family farm after his brother died?...Sarah?” he nodded toward an apathetic young woman in the second row.

She shrugged her shoulders.

“Does anyone know?” he searched faces around the room, “Ms. Goldstein?”

“Because he’s a character in a Canadian novel and he has to do everything possible to make the novel as dull as possible.” she responded wearily.

Laughter erupted.

“I would like to hear more.” the man smirked, “This is quite interesting, Ms. Goldstein. Can you shed more light on that remark, please?”

“Canadian Literature is lacklustre and predictable.” she said, “The plot is either flat and mundane or bizarre and morbid. The landscape is bleak and the characters are shallow and soulless.”

“Hey, she’s right, man!” a young man shouted from the back of the room.

“Why do we have to read this boring crap, anyway?” another young man called out.

“And, how do you feel Canadian Literature could become more appealing?” the man kept his gaze focused on Sydney.

“I would like to see more diversity...Characters with more depth and substance. I’m sick of one-dimensional female characters who engage in casual sex with every man they meet, and male characters who are macho slobs. I would like plots dealing with a wider variety of human experiences. I would like to see a higher calibre of people being represented.”

“This is very interesting, Ms. Goldstein. Your perspective is quite amusing. You’re very blunt. I suspect you step on quite a few toes.”

Self-conscious laughter was heard from the back of the room.

“You seem to be put off by the very things other people find stimulating. Goody Two Shoes characters are boring. Villains are much more fun to read about.”

“Villains are dull and predictable.”

“I suspect you’ve been quite Americanized by your friends and associates over the years. American Literature is full of repulsive ‘nice’ characters and sentimental drivel.”

“American writers know how to create well-rounded, complex characters and original plots. They know how to strike a balance.”

“I suppose purple prose is very appealing to females.” he smirked.

“You have your opinion and I have mine.”

“That’s all for today, class.” he looked away from her, “I’m having a party at my home this weekend. You’re all invited. Even you, Ms. Goldstein. It starts on Saturday at four. There’ll be unlimited pizza and beer, and I have a sauna. It’s 123 Windsor Street. See you all on Saturday.”

Sydney gathered her books hastily and walked out to the corridor, unaware of the professor’s eyes taking in the view of her buttocks as she swept past him. She noticed a familiar face in the hallway and smiled in acknowledgment.

“Hi, Sydney.” the slender young woman approached her, “I think you are right about Canadian Literature. I don’t like this prof at all.”

“Other English profs are no better, Olga.” Sydney said.

“I think I’ve made a mistake in choosing English as my major.”

“If you’re not too far along, you can change your major.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.