Like Kingsfield does with the lessons in his class, Osborn the writer manages to get us from day one of Hart's law school education to the last day—and beyond, to what has to be the most important part of the class: the grade, of course. And we never find out what the grade is. The film version wusses out on this crucial point, perhaps the most important part of the book, by showing Kingsfield grading the tests; and, surprise, surprise, Hart gets an A. Maybe the novel implies this—Hart is just itching to take his exam, unlike the students "moving blindly toward the nearest seat in a short mindless dance, their arms hanging limp at their sides" (219). Kevin's not wrong about Hart. Hart does have it made. But not, the novel implicitly tells us, in the way Kevin defines having it made.
I've always loved the ending of the book: Hart wins. It's important to note that he does not quit law school in a moral huff—in today's terms he still will get that $165,000 job after graduation (and a student of Hart's caliber will get that job). So will Ford. So will Anderson. Bell, on the other hand, probably not. But the novel asks as we've been saying for the last week, what is the price for that success? And the novel dares to posit "success" as something different than what Anderson sees it as, different than it is for those students who felt compelled to write down "Planet of the Apes" in their notes when their professor uttered it in class, different than what it is for the professors who expect doors to be opened for them by their students, and different than the way Kingsfield presents it to Hart. So:
1. What is success to Hart? How do we know this? Quote in your response.
2. The novel comes to a peak with that great chapter showing Hart and Ford studying for a week. This is the logical conclusion to Hart's journey through the novel. What does this show him—and Ford—having learned?
3. "'What was your name?'" This is our last glimpse of Kingsfield. What do you think of him at this moment?
4. Finally: your reaction to the novel? Like? Dislike? Why?
Again, feel free to respond to what others say. PLEASE do not simply repeat in agreement what others have said: use that agreement as a stepping stone for you to make your own unique, individual commentary.
See you all tomorrow.
1. I think at the beginning of the novel Hart’s idea of success was to get through Harvard Law School triumphantly and without much complication and to ultimately make Law Review and get that well paying job right out of law school. However, I think at this point in the novel, success to Hart is to have this, but also have the ability to let it go sometimes. After the exam, Hart says “he had left [contracts] behind” and that he felt “free” (178). He is really dedicated to succeeding, as made evident by his week long hotel studying, but he also knows the importance of letting go of crazy law school stress and relax. I think that was Hart’s problem for the duration of the novel. He didn’t know how to balance the crazy stressing and studying that comes with law school and being a normal human being. For Hart, learning how to balance the two and being able to have a steady relationship with Susan is the ultimate success.
ReplyDelete2. Throughout the novel, we have seen crazy study habits from Bell’s 800 page outline and Hart studying at the library for six hours at time. The students have all displayed signs of madness because of the work load at law school. Hart and Ford checking into a hotel and only studying for a whole week is insane. Ford is “in a delirium” (176) and I think they’ve learned that they need to apply themselves in this substantial way to succeed. They know the tools to success and looking at studying in this insane way pays off for them. Hart seems to be the only student not frantically studying before the exam, and he probably did well on the exam. I think they’ve learned that, although it messes up their personal lives and screws with their psyches, their crazed way of approaching things works out in the end.
3. Every character in the novel has gone through a change throughout the novel. Everyone expect Kingsfield. What this moment said to me was that no matter how terrific a student is, they will not leave a lasting impact on Kingsfield. Kingsfield has been teaching for so long and has had so many students that he is at the point in his career where no student is going to revolutionize the way he sees students or teaching. The way Kingsfield “looked annoyed at the uncontrolled faces” (174) that were clapping for him on the last day cements my opinion on this. The students do not affect him in any way. He is just there to teach them, not to be their mentor or father figure. Hart says that “Kingsfield would die without them” (174); Kingsfield’s life will go on without them. No amount of sentiment will change that for him.
4. I really enjoyed this book, but it also stressed me out a lot. I’m grateful that we are reading it now opposed to closer to the end of the semester or I probably would have hated this book and all the crazy studying scenes. Also, Kevin’s storyline is filled with so much despair and sadness that every time I think about it I get incredibly upset so that element of the book will definitely stick with me forever.
1. I agree with Jenny. I think Hart's main goal to succeed at HLS was to "survive" Harvard Law School and Kingsfield's class, but as the novel progressed, Hart's idea of success was not to just "survive" Harvard Law, but to accomplish Harvard Law and Kingsfield class. And Hart went above and beyond. He was top of Kingsfield's class. I think in the end, Hart felt as though he accomplished HLS. But I also think Hart's overall idea of success is his american dream. Hart wants to settle down with Susan and become a successful lawyer. Hart says to Susan, "We could do things together, help each other, make plans, live in a sane way." I think Hart has his idea of success in HLS and his idea of success in life.
ReplyDelete2. I like that the book concludes on finals. It all comes down to this. Hart has grown and matured throughout the year and knows how to "handle" these finals. Hart is working hard, but confident. Before, Hart was working hard, but anxious and nervous. I also think this shows the true core and reality of HLS. Behind all of the success of Harvard Law graduates, the students worked their butts off. It is not an easy road to succession, but it is possible.
3. This scene made me a little sad, because even after the class and year is over and Hart is showing his appreciation and admiration for Kingsfield, Kingsfield still shuts Hart down. Kingsfield still acts condescending towards Hart. I don't really understand why Kingfield continuously does this. I wish we got to see more of what's beneath the facade and surface of Kingsfield. It's just kind of disappointing to me that even in the end, Kingsfield can't give recognition to Hart.
4. I disliked this book, but I thought it was interesting at times. But I mainly disliked this book, because I didn't like the style of the writing and I thought it was a little random and more difficult to follow and see where Osborn is going. It was difficult for me to see the significance of the reason why Osborn would put this scene or character in the novel.
About what you said about Kingsfields scene, I think that's just his nature. He doesn't like to give his students the satisfaction of creating a realationship with him. I think he likes to keep a huge distance between his students. And it's not exactly clear why but I think Kingsfield has given recognition to Hart before when he gave him the paper assignment. I think Kingsfield just likes to have his power and he doesn't really allow anyone to come up to his level. I think Kingsfield likes Hart and he likes his attitude and I think he knows that Hart has truly learned from him, he just doesn't show it.
DeleteHart's idea of success most definitely changes throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Hart's view of success is, as Jenny says, to become a successful law student, which would then lead him to be a successful man of the law, a man with a high paying job and a great understanding of the law. But, by the end of the novel, his vision of success is to achieve all of what he originally wanted, but also to become an independent human being, a man who is not completely consumed by the law that he understands so fully. I think that by the end of the novel Hart achieves this success in that he is a great law student, but to some extent he doesn't care at all. Or, rather, he doesn't let it affect him to the point where it consumes him. For example, at the end of the novel when he gets his grades. "Hart folded his letter in half, curving up the sides, making a glider. He stood up, tested the wind and let it fly." I think Hart knows he did well, and the movie says that he did in fact do well. So he is still a great law student, but he doesn't even care enough to find out what his final grades are. I don't think that Hart realizes that his idea of success is to be an individual among the law until he actually achieves it. I think that Hart sees what Harvard Law School is doing to him and along with Susan's help in her advice, he does all that he can to become his own individual amidst everything. It is not until he becomes his own individual among the law and still keeps his grades up that he realizes that what he has achieved is truly success.
ReplyDeleteI think that when students come to HLS, they are obviously aware that it will be difficult, but I don't think they can comprehend just how difficult it will be. But, throughout the year, they learn just how difficult it is, because they experience it and have to do all that they can to push through it. Hart and Ford, as this scene shows, have learned throughout the year just how much effort it will take to do well. They know that they will have to completely devote themselves to their studies, not even letting vital things such as food and sleep become distractions. They know that they have to literally cut themselves off from the world so that the only thing that exists is their studying. I also think that Hart and Ford have learned by the end of the novel that at HLS, all of the students are in competition with one another. I think they realize that this contest to be the best of the law students is a distraction from the actual work, and so they go off to a hotel to get away from the competition.
I think that in this scene, Kingsfield is lost. I think he doesn't know how to deal with Hart, because no one has ever said anything like that to him after taking his course. I think it puts Kingsfield in a position he's never been in, therefore an uncomfortable position, and he doesn't know what to do. It's as if Kingsfield has never experienced kindness before. He's used to the kids fearing him, thinking that no student would ever have the balls to come up to him and say something that real. He's obviously taken aback. His being lost and in an uncomfortable position scares him, and I think that in asking Hart's name when he obviously knew it was his attempt to put power back into his own hands again. But after he asks for Hart's name again, he actually smiles and says thank you. After his initial shock and attempt to put things back to normal, he actually takes in what Hart has said, and I think he actually finds it touching because, as I said earlier, he's never experienced kindness like this before from a student of his.
ReplyDeleteI liked this novel. Just mechanically, I like the way the chapters are short and many. It is much easier for me to get into a book when when it is a bunch of short scenes that come together the way this book does. Another example would be the Odyssey. I also really enjoyed this novel because I feel that it relates pretty well to my life and the lives of others in this class. Yes, high school at Paideia is not as hard as HLS, but it is still a struggle to do well, and Hart's situation is more similar than say, Gatsby's. I think that I, along with other people in our class, can really learn what Osborn says in this novel about not letting school consume you, about being your own individual.
Indeed, Sam. How do we in any profession, in any community endeavor, be it school or work or a team, stay an individual? All through the novel we are given scene after scene, moment after moment, of the way Hart and the others are being told to give into the law school: to do what they're told, to write down whatever they hear without thinking about what they are writing and without questioning what they are doing, as many of you have said during our discussion,Karen most directly. Think too about the competition Sam mentions in his response to my second question. Is what we're seeing here in the hotel room competition?
Delete
ReplyDelete1. I think Hart's success is much more broad that merely Harvard Law school. I think Hart was desperately searching for something he could fight for, something that he could hold onto. When Hart sits down in his chair in Kingsfield's class for the first time, he realizes that Contract law, Harvard Law school, even Kingsfield's approval, is the thing to attach to. A direction in his life that he can pursue and perfect to the best of his ability. Susan compares him to an animal when they are fighting. "'You're like a dog:you grovel or attack on command'". Hart merely needs a path to follow and he charges through, spending a week studying to ace the test or hours at a time bending over backwards to complete a paper. His success is finding something and holding onto it for dear life.
2. This moment to me seemed almost unreal, due to the incredible hype and build up to the week before finals. I imagined a Rocky montage as hours were spent huddling over books, eating horrible food and cramming their heads full of the knowledge they needed to ace the test. Hart and Ford studying like this, merely shows there determination of how well they want to succeed in the school, but as well as prove to themselves that they can do it. They have worked hard for this moment and finally they reach the last stretch of the race, and they give it everything.
3.Any hope of change that Kingsfield has built up, crumbles in this moment for me. I agree with Jenny in that each character may change, but he does not have the strength like the other characters do to make that transformation. He is confronted with a comment he is unfamiliar with, and he retreats back into his shell so to speak, returning to his jaded and scrutinizing self. I really enjoyed the last words of this chapter. "And then he was gone." This moment has great finality, as Hart truly realizes that even though he may have not been able to change Kingsfield, he conquered him and his class. He perfected the system and produced results even Kingsfield had to applaud.
4. I liked The Paper Chase much more than The Great Gatsby. The protagonist won in the end, and a happy ending is always easier to bring to a close in my mind. Hart went through a change that helps him greatly, and honestly, schoolwork seems to bare less consequences now for me. The way the chapters were set up, even the vignettes in between character development, all added to the realistic tone to the novel. I really imagine this story being written by a college kid who just emerged from the end of the taxing horror show that is Harvard Law school.
"Rocky montage"? I love that, Cam. The movie didn't go for that, though we did get to see Hart and Ford in their underwear and, as described in the book, clearly unshaven, sitting on the floor surrounded by reams of paper. "They have worked hard for this moment...and they give it everything." Absolutely! And again, what is the key word in that sentence?
Delete1. I think success for Hart is doing well (really well) in Law School without becoming a bad person. In terms of doing well in school, Hart needs to decide for himself that he is a good student to feel successful. He has to reach his own personal goals, which are set very high. However, I think he achieved them in this book. On a more personal, complex level is Hart's desire to maintain his compassion. We see him start to loose it, until about half way through the book when he writes the essay. Failing to write the essay was a turning point for Hart. Hart doesn't want to see himself above others, which is why is angers him so much when Bell suggest that Hart is better than everyone else in the group: "'Get out,' Hart exploded at Bell. 'Because so help me God, I'm going to castrate you before Ford kills you and hang your...'"(142). When Hart speaks to Kevin, he does so as if they are on the same level, even though he knows he is a better student than Kevin. Hart admits that Kevin is struggling, but not that he will fail, like Bell does. Hart also begins to see himself on par with Kingsfield, which seemed like something that would never happen. Hart feels successful at the end because he knows he did well on his exams, and that he is still a good person.
ReplyDelete2. I agree with Erin and Jenny that the end shows that doing well at HLS really does take dedication and time. But I think it also shows that Hart and Ford don't thrive off of the extreme competition in the dorms. They need to get away from the hell that is going on in the dorms, and instead work together. Even though they recognize that they are competing, I think the book says that others failure is not necessary for one's success.
3. Kingsfield really pissed me off here. Hart was not making some sort of outrageous declaration of admiration, merely saying he enjoyed the class. Yet instead of just saying thank you, Kingsfield has to remind Hart that he means nothing to him. Kingsfield is dismissive and rude here, which is a fairly accurate depiction of him throughout the whole book.
4. I liked the book, but agree with Jenny; it was stressful to read. It was stressful to me, but also interesting, because of its parallels to Paideia. Even though HLS is on a much larger scale, Paideia also has many über competitive and smart students. Other than that I liked the writing style, and found the characters compelling, although it did drag at parts.
1. I agree with Erin and Jenny when they said that Hart’s vision of success has changed since he has begun Harvard Law School. I think his whole goal, whether he was aware of it or not, was to gain an equilibrium between school and achievement there and his life outside of school with Susan and his ‘friends’. Obviously the general idea of success in HLS is to get into the top 10% of your class and get on Law Review and get the $165,000 job but I don’t think Hart always wanted that. Sure he wanted it in the beginning of the book, along with the other students but I think that changed and I think he started to measure his success according to Kingsfield. I think Hart wanted to become Kingsfield so he took interest in everything he wrote, he said, he thought and he tried to embody Kingsfields characteristics. Hart fantasizes about Kingsfield for a moment and he says “I want you, professor, I want you” (118). To me its like Hart is envious of Kingsfields success and his power. I think that’s what Hart wants. But by the end of the novel I think he just wants to maintain a balance between school and Susan and he gets it in the end.
ReplyDelete2. I think they have learned number one, how to be lawyers when they threaten the manager to sue. I think they also learn how to exude power over other individuals and to assert themselves. I think Hart and Ford realize between each other that when it comes down to it, it’s a competition and it’s every man for himself. I think that was kind of an unspoken fact between the two of them and that week in the hotel room really solidified that fact. I think that was the last time that they allowed each other to think that they were friends because after that point they went their separate ways and that was it. I think they learned that they will always be in competition with others whether it’s a fellow law student or an angry hotel manager.
3. I don’t think Kingsfield has changed one bit. I think he is all about gaining and controlling power and he doesn’t let that change just because Hart was done with his class or they weren’t in the classroom. I think he likes keeping that barrier between his students and himself, he allows for no personal connection. I think he was thrown off when Hart said that he really enjoyed his class and the only way for him to get the upper hand and really show Hart for once and for all that he does not care to have a personal relationship with him was by asking him what his name was even though he knows it.
4. I liked this novel because it was very straightforward. I think it questioned a lot of things and made me think of the whole education system differently. It was a little weird to read after Gatsby because the writing was so different and the time period and the whole plot was so different but I really did enjoy it. I think it really showed just how crazy and neurotic students can get and if that’s how they act in the 70’s, people can only imagine how they act nowadays. I think the characters where really accurate and it portrayed a lot of different types of students and people and I really liked it.
1. I think that in the beginning of the book, Hart isn’t really sure what he wants out of life. Susan asks why he decided to go to law school and we don’t get to see what he says. I think that might mean that Hart himself really doesn’t know. At that age, he’s old enough to have to make life-altering decisions, but he’s young enough that he doesn’t know what decisions to make. I think he goes to law school because that’s what he thinks he’s supposed to do. He obviously has an affinity for that sort of thing and people probably told him for most his life that he’d do well as a lawyer. He’s not sure that what he wants, but it’s a goal that he can set. It’s always much easier to accomplish things when you have a goal in mind. I completely agree with Jenny when she says that success for Hart at the beginning of the novel is to just to do well in law school. Success for him is succeeding by other people’s standards. By the end his views have changed. He realizes that there’s more to life than impressing the teacher. He still wants to do well in law school. That’s obvious from his week of studying. But I don’t think he’s doing it for Kingsfield anymore. He makes it a point to not answer the question in class. “It was done. He had actually refused to answer a question. The first part was the hardest.” Then, after Kingsfield replies, Hart thinks, “He’d been given a chance to back out. He could answer the question and it would be left at that”(171). Earlier, he strove to speak in class whether or not he had something he really wanted to say. The whole point of speaking was so that Kingsfield would acknowledge him. Now he proclaims that he’ll speak when he has something important to say. It’s hard to sum up, but I guess I’d say success for him now is living on his own terms.
ReplyDelete2. I think that this week of isolated studying shows the difference between Hart/Ford and everyone else. They are studying because they want to do well. Everyone else roams the halls hoping to stump someone with random question about a particular case. In the same way, they still all want to answer a question so that Kingsfield will notice them. Hart and Ford are studying for themselves while the rest of the school is studying to beat the others. Even Anderson is reluctant to hand over the other study guides he made because Hart and Ford might beat him.
3. I thought that Kingsfield asking for Hart’s name was one last little dig. They’ve had several encounters. Hart is the only one who ever refused to answer a question. Even if Kingsfield doesn’t remember his name, he knows who Hart is. It may not even be an insult. He gives a small smile before asking. Maybe he’s just joking in a way. It’s either Kingsfield declaring that Hart will never be anything in his eyes, or Kingsfield sharing a small joke with him. I’m not sure.
4. I liked this book a lot. It has sort of a minimalist writing style (compared to some other books at least). Each chapter is like a dark sort of quirky vignette. Not much is said explicitly, and it can be interesting to try and think about what the author was talking about. It’s also nice that there’s not definite conclusion. I hate it when stories have all around happy endings. It’s sickening almost.
1. I also agreed with Jenny of how Hart's vision of success has change over the book. At first to Hart it was all about surviving school but at the end of the novel he understood broader aspects of law school. We see that Hart believe that half-way through the novel all he wanted was to know the facts of the case and please Kingsfield. However, at the end, we see that pleasing Kingsfield is not important to him anymore when he says "I think I'll pass" (171). I notice when Ford thought "No one asked about the theories they'd learned" (174), I realize that this book, like Susan, is telling us that there is more than facts. I think that the reason Ford and Hart passed is because they learned to apply what they learned in class instead of learning everything the teacher told them. At the end Hart stilled study like crazy but, unlike many other students, know what to study and how.
ReplyDelete2. I think that it shows that both of them know that it is a competition but that if they team together to study, they will beat all of other student. Also it shows that in Harvard, even the greatest students have to study like crazy in order to pass the exam. But then again, that is why Hart and ford are great students because they know how to study. Everybody is going crazy about facts and cases while these two worry about the theories as well. I think that all of those sleepless nights thought them how to concentrate for long periods of time. Lastly, I agree with Tanja that they learned to have an attitude the way they demonstrated with the manager. Maybe this is a skill they pick up from Kingsfield.
3. I agree that this moment sees cold and it looks like Kingsfield is simply an asshole but to me it seem that this was, in a sense, Kingsfield's last advice like a teacher. In my opinion, he is telling Hart that law school is not over yet. He doesn't give him that satisfaction because he is not done. The satisfaction of success should be given after Hart's graduation because many things can happen in two years. I don't believe he said this in a negative sense since he gave Hart a "slight smile" (179). If he had meant it in a negative way, he would have given him a big smile that clearly showed he disregarded Hart's appreciation completely. I think that his job is to introduce his students to a harsh world and to show them that this is simply the beginning.
4. I really enjoyed reading this novel. It gave me perspective of high education that I never thought about. It was interesting to read because at the beginning I thought that become a lawyer seem pretty interesting and I gave it some thought. As the novel progressed my feeling change greatly. It was eye opening to read this novel because when I thought of Harvard Laws School I pictured everybody studying and getting good grades and never saw the reality this books brings. It brings dark sides of the school I would have never imagine. I felt a special connection because I often fear of ending up like Kevin and feeling like a failure. At the same time, I could never imagine myself doing what Hart does and study all the time. I guess that the biggest thing this book made me realize is that college is not far away and that not everything is what it seems.
1. What becomes evident in the last chapters is that Hart's idea of success is no longer grades, nor pleasing Kingsfield. By the end, he is completely immune to the fear that used to separate him and Kingsfield. He is finally comfortable, no longer working for the satisfaction of pleasing Kingsfield. This is evident in the last couple of chapters when Hart has a completely normal and calm conversation with Kingsfield, telling him that he enjoyed the class. The reason why Hart succeeded, both in his own eyes and most likely in the eyes of Kingsfield, is because he overcame the fear of Kingsfield. He did not lay down and become a subdued recipient of Kingsfield's wrath. Instead, he acted normal for a change, not worrying about Kingsfield's every infinitesimal movement. This is what a lawyer should be. A calm and collected person, unaffected by his or her opponent. That being said, he still studied his ass off, but it wasn't to please Kingsfield. At no point does he mention that he wants to please him. In fact, he doesn't even mention that he wants to get good grades. It seems like he is just coasting out the end of the course (although I don't know if i'd call a week in a hotel coasting). He still cares obviously about how he does in HLS, but he isn't freaking out or anything. In this lies his success.
ReplyDelete2. I actually don't think this chapter was the conclusion. I think the book could have ended when Hart told Kingsfield that he didn't want to answer the question. That chapter contained what the book was getting at, the idea that Hart can free himself from the prison of HLS. The chapter about studying seemed like an after thought, only put into the story to help tie up loose ends involving the finals. The fact that they studied for a week though is still interesting. If Hart no longer cares about being "Kingsfield's bitch", then why would he feel the need to do this? Maybe he didn't even care, and he was merely finishing of his school year, or maybe he was fulfilling some inner passion to succeed.
3. It's weird, seeing Kingsfield without Hart's filter. Usually, an interaction between them would involve "mystical forces" and strange connections, but in this scene it's just two people talking. Of course, Kingsfield hasn't changed and he will always remain a mystery. Why would he ask for Hart's name? Does he honestly not know, or is he still trying to dominate him? We don't really know. What we do know, which is the most important part about this scene to me, is that Hart no longer cares if he asked for his name.
4. This novel was... meh. I think that the story itself isn't too interesting. However, i really like the message of the book and how it can be approached in relation to the American dream.
1. As you said when we started the novel, the book is just as much about the American dream as it is about Hart's coming of age. Hart grows as a person during his first year at law school, and so does his vision of success. At first he envisions success just as the "grade point", and he quickly achieves his academic goals to the point where they are nothing more than a "dance". Susan complicates things for him, and the ability to balance a relationship alongside his academic goals becomes his vision of success. It is not until he overcomes his old mentality towards Susan and gets "angry enough" to finally see eye to eye with Susan, achieving his vision of success and becomes at peace with himself, and is then comfortable enough with himself that he can say what needs to be said and question authority, expressing his individuality among the robots.
ReplyDelete2. Only at the end do Hart and Ford understand what it takes to succeed. The guys who bowled with beer cans and played poker all year are the ones trying to cram in everything minutes before the test, while Hart is calm and collected, ready to do his little dance. Hart and Ford know that Harvard Law School requires the dedication of locking oneself in a hotel room for a week, and throughout their life they will not only have the ability to assess the difficulty and importance of a situation, but also have the tenacity to execute any solution, no matter how hard it may be.
3. I thought that Kingsfield would finally verbally acknowledge the genuine appreciation of his best student, but he still does not. It may be a mutual understanding, a silent nod of approval that two men can communicate to each other without a spoken "why thank you Hart I like you as a student as well". I realized that it would be out of character for Kingsfield to say such a thing, but the difference between this "what is your name" from the first one in the classroom is that Hart has grown, which Kingsfield sees, and they both say an unspoken goodbye and thank you to each other.
4. As a story, I didn't like this novel as much as the Great Gatsby. What I did like about the novel is the perspective that it gave me towards the pressure and competition that exists in places such as Harvard Law School, and the underlying themes pertaining to the American Dream and Osborn's own views on whether the Dream was worth chasing or not.
1. Hart's idea of what he wants has changed throughout the book. Like Jenny said, in the beginning all he wanted was to be a successful lawyer, but we don't really know why. Then it becomes about his weird obsession with winning over Kingsfield. Success becomes knowing what Kingsfield is going to say next and what he's going to do. He spends an awful lot of time anticipating Kingsfield which is a big part of his motivation to do well in the class. What we discovered through Hart's relationship with Susan is that he's not only at HLS to build a career, but he's there to build a life. He tells Susan that he wants to "live an organized life" with her. He gets so caught up in Kingsfield and the potential father figure that he is that he forgets how to relax and have a relationship with someone, particularly susan. Once he stands up to Kingsfield, which I believe is what Kingsfield was trying to teach them to do, he's able to see that he's smart and he doesn't need to see an "A" on a piece of paper for him to know that he's successful.
ReplyDelete2. What amazes me about this chapter is their ability to focus. I can't imagine ever having to study that much and then beyond that actually doing it. To be willing to give up that amount of time and freedom in order to do well really demonstrates their devotion to the study of law. They are giving a week of their life to this exam. They are almost making it impossible to fail based on the energy they are putting into it.
3.This year meant a lot for Hart. He worked harder than he ever has before. He grew up this year, and he figured out what he wants in life. However for Kingsfield, this year is just another year. He's been teaching this class for 30 years and as far as we know has never had a relationship with his students. As satisfying as it would be for him to recognize and know Hart personally, it's not in Kingsfield's character. Hart has obsessed over getting noticed by his teacher for a year now but he finally excepts Kingsfield for who he is, a teacher and nothing more. He's not a father figure and Hart isn't special to him.
4. I wasn't a big fan of the book. It felt rushed. I don't feel like I ever really knew the characters which is also why I feel that my perceptions of the book and characters were always off.
1. I also agree with Aldo and Jenny that Hart’s definition of success has changed throughout this book. I feel like success to Hart is getting out of Susan’s generalizations, that the Law Students are crazy and all robots. Hart changes, one of the few that does, when he says, “I think I’ll pass” (171). He achieves his success when he gets out of the system. I mean, sure, he stays in law school and is still trying to do his best for his school but he doesn’t have anyone really controlling him anymore. Not in the way that HLS and Kingsfield manipulated the students into turning against each other.
ReplyDelete2. This week in the hotel can seem a little strange to the readers. It was mentioned that the manager had to be brought up to see if they “were using the hotel for a homosexual orgy” (176). But, this week separates Hart and Ford from the rest of the Law School students, literally and metaphorically. Is this week of isolation, we see that Hart and Ford are different. Instead of competing with the other students and try to best them with their knowledge, like those students tried when Hart didn’t answer in Kingsfield’s class, they just studied to the best of THEIR ability, trying their best.
3. I’m not sure how I see Kignsfield at this point. I almost see him with a little bit of respect. He has stuck with this job for 30 years. But I also see him with a little loathing. He is so cruel to his students, to the point of driving some to suicide attempts. I wonder if Kingsfield already knew Hart’s name when he asked this, afterall, he DID smile.
4. I personally liked the book. It was a little boring and dry to some people, but the characters I saw were very interesting. However, some of them were very flat or just strange. But, it also made me very afraid of higher level education.
1. I think that Hart's idea of success has changed throughout the book. He like many of the other students started out thinking that success was to get through law school and hopefully make law review. What is important is that while all of the other students kept this idea until the end of the novel, Hart transformed his idea of success into a way of being successful in HLS as well as be a successful human being. Hart really is able to let go in the final chapters of the book. This is evident when he describes himself as "free" and also in the final verses of the book when Susan says, "Are you going to open your grades? Or are you going to see if your glider will go further than mine." When Hart throws his report card/paper plane into the sea, it shows that Hart knows that he is successful and doesn't need to see a grade to prove it. I think that is what real success is. To be able to find joy and success out of life as well as success that comes from working hard. Hart is in many ways the perfect student with this outlook.
ReplyDelete2. I think that this scene really showed that Hart and Ford have really come to an understanding of what HLS is about. They understand that it is not about competition but camaraderie and choose to separate themselves from the distracting and hostile environment of HLS. I cannot even imagine how they were able to do this. It really shows how dedicated they are to be able to sit in a hotel room for a week doing nothing but studying. I really came to respect both Hart and Ford through this scene because they are so obviously driven.
3. I love this scene. I think this is the point in the novel where Hart realizes that he doesn't need to please Kingsfield or worship him at the altar. After Kingsfield gives him an oh so rare smile, Hart doesn't even comment on it like he obviously would have at the beginning of the book. Also, I think that Kingsfield is joking around with Hart a little. Kingsfield does know Hart's name and I think that he feels comfortable joking around with Hart because Hart was the one student that had the nerve to stand up to him. They have gained an understanding that Hart would have died for in the beginning of the novel.
4. I really liked this novel, but not for a lit class. It was really easy to read and understand but I feel like we could only really pull the same couple themes from the entire book that we would discuss every class so it felt a little drawn out. Surprisingly, this book hasn't altered my wish to go to law school but rather makes me never want to go to Harvard. This was a very relatable and enjoyable book.
1. I think Hart has changed over the book. Success for Hart now is having the confidence to stand firm against an obstacle and push back at it. Kingsfield was his obstacle. He was the largest object that stood in the path of law students. Hart struggled with Kingsfield all year long: "Jesus Christ, he thought, this is a goddamned dance" (37). Over the year Hart grew stronger fighting a battle with Kingsfield in the class room. Hart's success stems from this one man. Hart is a student that needs to be pushed and stressed to do well. Instead of breaking down like Kevin in front of Kingsfield at the end Hart stands up to him:"Kingsfield was waiting. 'I think I'll pass,' Hart said quietly" (210). This is Hart's success. On the first day of class we see Hart no where near confident enough to refuse a question, but here he executes it well. Hart does not need the success of passing the exam we all know he will pass with flying colors. Hart's real success is what he has gained from Kingsfield's class.
ReplyDelete2. Studying like a crazed fool pays off. Hart is a character that sticks with his habits. We see him study like this all the time. Staying till the library closes or late into the night, but this is different. Here they actually rent a hotel room for pure studying. In chapter fifty-six Ford saw what was really happening to the dorm: "Ford knew it was suicide, knew the dorm was committing mass suicide on the altar of detail" (215). Ford and Hart have learned not just about law but the ways to study.
3. He is totally just playing with Hart. Kingsfield obviously knows the name of his best student and is very pleased with the outcome of this creation. Kingsfield just puts on this gag to uphold his reputation. Kingsfield can't be bothered unless his is on his podium, Kingsfield must always hold the power over his students therefore even his best students are treated like this.
4. I enjoyed this book very much. Many others have said they didn't like it at all, that people were bitchy or just strange, but people are like that out in the real world. This pressure is real and needs to be addressed. I read this book as a warning that pressure can sometimes be overwhelming, Kevin, but how you deal with stress is key to becoming a good student.
1. I agree with everyone, in that Hart's idea of success has changed throughout the novel. The main aspect of Kingsfield's class that really through Hart off, was the fact that he was never congratulated on his knowledge and dedication. Kingsfield makes his classroom as direct and impersonal as possible, which Hart isn't used to. For example, the first time Kingsfield asks for Hart's name: "'What is your name?' Kingsfield said absentmindedly. What was his name? Jesus, was it a trick? A way of putting him down?" Hart needed approval of others in order to feel successful, but by the end of the novel, he no longer needs the reassurance.
ReplyDelete2. The studying lockdown in the hotel shows Hart and Ford's understanding that you have to sacrifice some in order to gain in the end. They've learned that they work well together, the push each other, and they have weeded out the people who bring them down. They've found a system that works, and they don't let any variables interrupt them. Leaving Bell and Anderson out of the loop was a definite show of this lesson. The lesson that you do whatever you need to do in order to reach your goals.
3. This moment is crucial in understand Kingsfield's character. Throughout the book the majority of us have backed Kingsfield saying that he was standoffish and cold in order to stregnthen his students and prepare them for a harsh world. Now, we are forced to ask, what if he's just incapable of expressing caring emotions? In this moment, Kingsfield seems very old and tired, and I think that he does not act and teach the way he does because it's the best way to get result in students, but rather it's just the way Kingsfield is. If it works, it works.
4. I didn't like this book. It was a let down for me after reading the beautiful Great Gatsby. I thought the writing was bland and very straight forward. It was slow moving, and I feel that because of this we were forced to analyze every moment of Hart's boring life. I also disliked all of the characters. Every single one. To me, they seemed very weak in the beginning, and the things their priorities were skewed. I agree with Jake, I liked the overall commentary that Osborn makes.
1) Hart's success is defined by his freedom. Rather than the quest for money or Law Review, Hart wants to feel free of the pressures that consumed him at Harvard Law School. This is how we know he has succeeded at the end of the novel. Susan asks him if he's succeeded by asking him to throw his grades and cares away in the form of a paper airplane, Hart "stands up, tests the wind and lets it fly" (180). Hart has achieved a security to the extent that he's comfortable with throwing the results of the exams he's been killing himself over for months into the ocean. What's amazing about this last scene is that Hart would never have dreamed about throwing his grades away at the beginning of the year. This is the same student that thought about "cases in contracts" (66) as he is about to drown in a frozen lake. Hart and Susan can now move on with there own lives, thriving in the freedom of success.
ReplyDelete2)The whole book has built up to this moment. Hart and Ford vs. Finals. Like Cam, I see the "Rocky montage" and the sacrifices that these men are making on their quest for success. This week is the end for them. The work, the pressure, it all ends here. They have dedicated their lives to this Law School and this is their last training session before they take on the beast. This scene also shows how far they have come. The discipline and the maturity that they show is astounding.
3) I loved this moment. Kingsfield is the clear antagonist through the story, and rather than compromise and give Hart some sort of satisfaction, he makes one last move to show that he's not giving in. His greatest student approaches him, and Kingsfield acts as if he is a stranger. Throughout the story we wonder if he is truly a villain, or a hero in villains clothing. This scene gives finality to their relationship and gives finality to the character of Kingsfield. I thought this was a great way to bring a close to their relationship.
4) I liked reading this novel, but it couldn't compare with Gatsby in my mind. I loved the characters in this book, but there wasn't a whole lot of progressive action in the plot line. The last moment of the book brought a great close to the story and I loved that scene, but lots and lots of time was spent in obsessing over the pressure involved with Law School. The character development was interesting to witness, and I loved the different perspectives that comes with having multiple main characters. I enjoyed reading it and looked forward to finding out what happened next. Although it was a bit dull at times, I would recommend it to anyone interested in Law or applying to an elite college.
I really agree with you, Ben, about Hart's success is finding his freedom. I wouldn't say it's based only on freedom from his grades, but just freedom from the overbearing nature of his life during school, with the weird vibes from Susan, his obsession with Kingsfield, and the extra stress his study group inadvertently causes him.
Delete1. I agree with most everyone that Hart changed throughout the book and his basic ideas of success changed throughout the novel. I think the key component for that, is that for Hart, the fundamental aspect of success is control. This entire novel has explored how different people show their control, their power. In our very first glimpse of Hart it says, "Most of all, he disliked feeling unorganized, and he was terribly unorganized on this first day of classes. The novel is not a critical look at HLS, it is Hart's coming of age story. From day one to the day at the beach with Susan, Hart transforms into a man. He finally reaches "success" when he is able to control the mayhem that is HLS.
ReplyDelete2. Hart and Ford learn in this moment, I think, that nothing really matters. In that week of hell it didn't matter who spoke the most in Kingsfield's class, it didn't matter how many cases you had memorized, the one thing that mattered was learning the information. They completely shut themselves off from the outside world. The world could have ceased to exist and they would have had no idea. They learned that you get through one thing at a time. The entire year is pointless, Harvard is pointless, unless they pass these finals. I think they learn most of all that, as Victor Hugo said, "life is the sum of all of your choices". Life is what you make out of it. You have to survive this week of hell in order to move on to your next choice, your next pivotal moment.
3. I love this moment. Kingsfields lips are tuned "up in a slight smile." Kingsfield has a sense of humor. I think this final interaction is Kingsfield's final approval of Hart. He has busted Hart's ass all year, tearing him down, making him feel empty and distraught. Kingsfield, in this moment, with that tiniest of Mona Lisa smiles is telling Hart "you done good kid." We have glimpsed small aspects of Kingsfield's humanity throughout the novel and I think this is where it all culminates. Kingsfield is not sheltered by his lectern or class, he is real and messing with Hart. This one moment shows that maybe Kingsfield isn't the asshole we thought he was.
4. I ended up very much enjoying this novel. I was quite skeptical at first. A book about men at Harvard Law School definitely ins't something I would normally read. I loved the depth of HLS, the conflicting feelings the novel provoked about the school. I loved watching the inter-personal relationships unfold. I loved how Obsborn used the juxtaposition of 2-dimensional characters (such as Bell etc) and 3-dimensional characters (Hart, Ford etc) to create a complete perspective of HLS. I loved how real this book is. It didn't have the superficiality and loathsome characters of Gatsby. It caused enough angst to question the characters without making you hate them. I think this book is fantastic and I would re-read it.
Hart’s idea of success, much like any human, changes over time because the human inclination is to strive for more than what they already have. I think his first idea of success was to adjust to the school like any other school Once he realized that Kingsfield was a hard ass he decides to take it a notch. By the end of the novel he is completely, but not solely dedicated to his education and making Kingsfield proud. Like some people said, Hart strives to be more than just a good “uncontaminated”(177) student, but a good friend to Ford, Kevin and Susan. These are the people that offer him more than just their brain, so he tries to repay them in one way or the other. Perhaps his idea of success in not necessarily getting a A or passing, but doing the very best he can do. And I think this is the most human he can be. It makes the most sense, because he won’t settle for what’s left over of himself nor does he lose control of the fact he won’t actually learn every single thing, the way, Kevin loses control.
ReplyDeleteI think that by Ford and Hart leaving school campus, they show a great amount of sacrifice. Perhaps to answer some of my own previous questions about the novel like why they put in random violent or dirty scenes, is because they purposely want to avoid that again. They now know what kind of troubles go on at the campus and, if they really think they’re life depends on this study period, they won’t take the chance. I think I can definitely see myself doing something close to what they did. They both learned they have some sort of weaknesses at the school, so it’s better to stick to each other than to stick around at school waiting for distractions.
Honestly, by Kingsfield’s last moment, I really just think he is an old man, too old to put his heart into things. He probably does appreciate Hart’s comment, but the man is too full of life, not to mention student names, to make anything out of Hart. Because old people are so far ahead of us in experience, I feel like none of them would really be impressed by us. I personally don’t know of any person pass the age of 70 who is astonished by me in any way.
I’m honestly very glad to finish this book because it was such a dread for me. I do feel bad for saying that because I know Osborn and his crew worked hard to make it a classic, but it’s just not my taste. I’m glad I read it, because it was a challenge and I know I don’t always do what I want, plus I learned from it. But for the most part, I didn’t like the writing style because it jumped around so much. I prefer first person narration as well and this was in third. I didn’t like the story line or the characters all the much. It seemed that it was one long book about feeling stressed and that’s how I felt about reading this book. Nothing in the book really interested me at all, maybe the “love story” but even then, it seemed bland and empty.
1. Success to Hart has changed from the beginning of the book. In the beginning Hart wanted to make the grade. It wasn't about the journey it was about the destination. Most of these students just want to do well and get out of law school. Even though Hart definitely enjoyed law school from the start, but it didn't mean anything unless he got his A. Through the novel his views do change. He works himself into the ground for his A, until something changes. He realizes through Kevin, Susan, and maybe even Kingsfield that there is something more. In the beginning of the book Hart would have framed his grades, but by the end of the book Hart is able to let his grades fly out into the waves and let it "sink down until they could no longer see it."
ReplyDelete2.Hart and Ford learned that if they want to do well in this school they have to use any means necessary to study. Every where Ford goes the week before he and Hart leave for the hotel people as him questions about specific page numbers and cases. They tell him that he will fail. The only way to get away from that is to leave the school or a week. This also shows the level of difficulty that these exams will. Hart and Ford are diligent students who will spend a week studying in a hotel. They are both prepared for the exams and don't need to worry about the students hiding around the corner waiting to catch them fail.
3.Kingsfield obviously knows Hart's name at this point. He has had at least three one on one encounters outside of class with Hart and Hart is the first student in the class to pass on one of his questions. Kingsfield is just being rude and downright mean. Hart tells him that his class meant something to him and Kingsfield just says "What was your name?" Kingsfield never leaves his teacher persona. Hart is always one student of hundreds. Kingsfield can't stop putting Hart back in his place.
4. I liked the book. It was easy to read and I liked the Osborn's commentary on law school. It gave me a lot to think about. It was a book that was written in a completely different style than "The Great Gatsby," but there were still many comparisons that could be made between the two. I can definitely understand why you chose this book for the class. It shows how far students are willing to go to get to the American Dream. Bell writes an 800 page outline, Anderson becomes a robot, and Hart works himself into the ground. It was a very interesting book with many twists and turns. This book has shown me an entirely new view on law school.
ReplyDelete1. Success to Hart… hm. I’ll agree with everyone else and say that yes, his view of success has changed throughout the book, because at the beginning, all he wanted was to “win” law school as we’ve said so many times in class. However, and I made this point in class on Friday, I think that Hart’s true success is being able to finally understand some part of himself enough to realize that if he continues on the path of driving himself crazy with work, he’ll end up like Kevin. I think that success to Hart is, in some part, getting the A and a spot on Law Review, but not so much that he’ll kill himself trying to get there. I think it’s more so finding a balance in life that is so hard to find. That balance between work and play, love and pain, and mostly just feeling comfortable in himself. To be a lawyer, you have to exude confidence or else people aren’t going to believe you. And it’s incredibly hard to fake confidence. I think that Hart’s success is becoming confident enough in himself to be a good lawyer.
2. I think that at this point in both the book and Hart’s first year of law school, he’s done with letting law school kick him around and rule his life. However, he’s not going to let all of the work he’s done so far go to waste, because that would really be dumb and it would probably not turn out so well for him. He’s basically taking this crazy study session as his last learning hurrah of his school year and he’s going to just work his ass off for one full week straight so that he can feel free from school and everything that comes with it, which to him is his own success, as Ben said earlier.
3. In this moment, it just reminds me of Kingsfield through the entire book. Hart became so obsessed with Kingsfield in the beginning and middle of the book and I think this moment (along with many others just like it) has been a little wake up moment for Hart in which Kingsfield inadvertently says: you may be obsessed with me and I’m just letting you know that you are like every other student to me. You are not unique and you are the same as the rest of them.
4. This book… ugh. I like the way Osborn writes, but I just don’t like this book. The only character I really like is Susan, and she’s not super present throughout the entire book, which is disappointing to me. Also, I can surely tell you that this book has deterred me from Harvard. All of the study scenes seriously stressed me out while I was reading them. Also I agree with Karen here, in that the book just seems kind of bland. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s empty because I think that Osborn has an interesting point of view about Harvard and also about success, which is worthwhile, but I just didn’t really feel a big want to pick up the book and read it, like I did with Gatsby. I will agree with Graham in that I think that the book definitely presents “real” people and “real” pressures, but there are definitely much more interesting ways in which to portray these people.
Hart, as is exemplified by the final scene of the book, doesn't measure success by grades. He thinks in terms of understanding the course, understanding the material. He spends a lot of time on his outline, as is evident from Anderson's desire for it, and is universally known to be the best student in contracts. Yet, when Kingsfield calls on him at the end of the book, he refuses to answer. He knows he knows the class, and to some extent Kingsfield does too. He genuinely feels he has nothing to add, nothing more to say. He has dotted the last I and crossed the last t, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteHart and Ford's approach to study is more in line with what I described above. Instead of memorizing the cases and precedents like all of the students in the dorm, they take their copies of all the outlines and reduce them to the actual material, the facts of the law. I find the hotel manager's questions about orgies in the room interesting. In a way, it is an orgy of studying (not to take the analogy too far), spending five days locked in a hotel room, memorizing all of the outlines.
I think this passage is true to Kingsfield's character, and a fitting end to his part in the book. He has been fairly impersonal all the time, and at the end of the year he forgets everybody's names and moves on to the next class of contracts students. As I have said earlier, Kingsfield has no purpose other than to teach the students. He doesn't learn their names, get to know them. That simply isn't his responsibility, and I think that's the way he sees it. It would be interesting to have a "Paper Chase II," where Kingsfield gets to know Hart as his daughter's boyfriend. This possibility is toyed with at the end, but never really explored.
I liked this book a lot. It read more quickly for me, and I found myself unable to put it down a lot of the time. Part of the reason I enjoyed it was that it was relatable (at least on some level). We are all students of literature, just as Hart is a student of contract law. All of us can relate to the late-night cram sessions, the assignment deadlines. I also enjoyed Osborn's style of writing. He's also very direct, but he describes some things perfectly: Kingsfield, the atmosphere around the dorms, the library, Langdell hall. It definitely would make me think twice about Law School, but that doesn't detract from the quality of the novel.
Like everyone else I think harts version of success has changes dramatically over the last year. I think he has learned from his studies and from his "friends" like susan and Kevin, and maybe even Kingsfield that there is more to life than just the grade. He does not have to win. I think his version of success now is happiness. I think he saw how the pressure got to Kevin, and how he was so afraid to fail and knew that he would not make the grade that he could not see how much he had to live for. i think he learned from susan and ultimately from kingsfield that even if you do get the grade and make law review, no one will want to have a family with you if you are either working or complaining about work. I think in the last scene where he lets the grades go is huge because it shows that he has moved on and is no longer preoccupied with the grades, he wants to have a relationship, not just a career. like when he lets the grades sink into the ocean, "sink down until they could no longer see it."
ReplyDeleteSeeing hart and ford study like this shows just how far they have come so far. I feel like in the beginning they wanted so badly to impress their teachers that they tried to memorize every single thing that was going on in every single case which was in fact not helping. I think here we see the men being practical. They are memorizing the things they need to memorize but at the same time they are not just focusing on one thing. This shows that they have learned how to study and how HLS has effected them just in their first year. Also no longer is it just about doing well compared to other people, it is about doing well for themselves. THe fact that they do not needto have that competitive air around them constantly shows that they are mature enough to motivate themselves.
I still like him. I love his sarcasm and his sharp words, and I think no matter what he will treat his students like that because no one person deserves more or less respect than another. I think this makes the classroom even. I have always loved Kingsfield and I feel no differently here. I am truly not sure why I like him so much, but I love his attitude and the way he teaches. I think he is a great teacher and I would love to have him.
I really liked this book. I love the simplistic way Osborne writes and how he doesn't throw symbolism at you like Fitzgerald does. I like how all the characters have their own little chapters but you also get to see them interact and it gives you a real opportunity to compare the characters and the way they act together. I really like his writing and the plot and the characters, It thought it was subtly suspenseful and I truly wanted to know what happened with the characters.
1. Success to Hart is having a plan. He needs to have some knowledge and plan for the future, and if he has his future set in stone he has succeeded. This is most obvious during his relationship with Susan. He bugs her repeatedly about their future. He wants to settle down. He wants stability and a set plan. He claims, "I can't live this way. I need to be organized. I need a way of living I can rationalize." (96) Clearly Hart has some issues with living a wild and free life. The fact that he needs structure to succeed is also shown in his reliance on college and school in general. The fact that Law School provides a planned and structured way of living appeals to him and helps him through the experience of law school. Hart seems most calm in the final chapter of the book when he finally has his life and priorities in line.
ReplyDelete2. This chapter particularly displays the qualities that Harvar Law imbued them with. The hard work and ridiculous dedication, as well as, as Tanja pointed out, the scene in which they threaten to sue the hotel if they are kicked out, are all qualities that were developed in their time at Harvard Law. I also enjoyed that the book encompassed a literal school year, and it gave us a good view of the pair's development. In reality I don't think much has changed in their brains regarding academics. I feel like their reaction to upcoming finals is relatively constant. The Hart we meet at the beginning of the novel is equally as likely to lock himself in a hotel room to study for a week as the Hart at the end of the novel. One major change is the competition that takes place around the finals themselves. Even Hart and Ford split up for the time leading up to the finals. This ridiculous level of competition, and the idea that any edge that another person has takes away from your chances at success, is something that is entirely knew and is a result of the law school's conditioning.
3. When Kingsfield asks Hart his name for the last time it's almost in direct reaction to Hart's actions in class a while before. Hart rebelled against Kingsfield in class, and now Kingsfield needs to put him back in his place. There was a point at which Kingsfield had even begun to rely on Hart, and when Hart refuses to participate Kingsfield acts lost for the first time. He asks Hart his name as a way to remind Hart and himself that he doesn't need Hart. After relying on Hat so long in class to get the right answer Kingsfield realizes he had grown somewhat complacent, and feels the need to put Hart back down on the level of the rest of the students instead of the status Hart had earned as the one student Kingsfield relied on.
4. Overall I enjoyed the novel. It was well written and gave a rather down to earth interpretation of the life of a student at Harvard Law. It may not have been 100% accurate, but I do think that his depiction of Hart;s experience is a heartfelt and realistic view on the situation.
By the end of the novel I think Hart has a clearer picture of what success is for him. At the beginning he didn’t know what he wanted to achieve and what would be success or fulfillment because all everyone wanted around him was simply to make it through HLS alive. However, by the end of the novel I think Hart has figured out the best way to be a successful student t Harvard Law. He is very dedicated to doing well in his classes and learning, not just to get the A for the professor, but to do well for himself, for self fulfillment. With the help of his friends and Susan especially he also learns to not be controlled by his classes, but to conquer them, just as he finally does with contracts when he tells Kingsfield, “‘I don’t have anything important to say about the case…I’ll raise my hand when I do.’” (172)
ReplyDeleteThe one week of non-stop studying is there final push for a final boom! They have worked really hard all year, losing half of their study group and having to figure out how to survive and remain sane in the HLS world, so this last week is to prepare to prove that they made it, and conquered their courses. They are strong students who did not shy away and get scared because professors were tough on them. Hart and Ford should serve as an example to other students as well. Not that other students should necessarily go lock themselves in hotel rooms for a week, but Hart and Ford demonstrate what kind of determination it takes.
When I first read that, I thought that Kingsfield must be one of those really old professors who is unbeatable, quick, and brilliant in class, but has some kind of memory loss for anything to do with anything outside of his field of study. Realistically though, I thought that Kingsfield might have been just been trying to keep the power and show that although he is pleased he will never admit that Hart has conquered his class. I also agree with Zoe’s comment, I like and do think, that Kingsfield is still not letting up the barrier here and letting Hart conquer completely. He pushes him around a little bit, but the connection Hart feels lets him know that Kingsfield approves.
I really liked this novel. I liked the story of all these students who were all in the same situation, first years who weren’t sure about how they were going to make it at HLS, and who had to fight individually by isolating themselves at times to remain “uncontaminated” and to remain sane. One would think that they could have helped each other out, but that is only to a certain extent. Because of the high competition, keeping somewhat of a social life is healthy, but working individually with only the most faithful friends is going to help make it through the year. I also really liked Susan as an outside source influence who knew better than anyone how to get through the year without going crazy. Besides the characters and actual story I like how it was written. When reading it, it feels like your just walking around campus and seeing all these little moment happening, their like clips of scenes to make a bigger picture to make a point.
I think that success in Hart's book is being able to survive Law School without failing, and maintaining s steady relationship with Susan. At the beginning it is obvious that he is struggling with this, like when he is feeling the stress from Kingsfield, or he did something wrong and Susan kicks him out of her house, but he persevere and eventually he begins to balance both. But there are also times when he is obviously dominated by one of them, like when he spent a whole week in the hotel studying, or when he goes to Susan's house to complain and she dumps milk on him. I think that separately neither one would be difficult for Hart, but together is what makes his struggles in the book so great. Its really important that Hart learns to balance both, because his future life is going to revolve around balancing multiple items on an agenda without a lot of notice.
ReplyDeleteHart has learned nothing in terms of great study habits, but the lesson he learned from Susan is: Don't stress about the little things in life, but when it comes down to it really buckle down and work. This chapter also shows the mind style that Harvard Law school practically beats into the students. Time and time again throughout the book we see students studying late into the night, or students deprived of sleep, and its really really important that this chapter happens as it does because it shows that, at the core, Hart and Ford are average students at Harvard Law school.
I almost thought that this part was funny. The way that Hart and Kingsfield talk, seems like their almost joking around with each other. The way Hart is like "[Yo] I liked your class," and Kingsfield reply's "[Who are you again?]" I just think this scene is funny, because Hart and Kingsfield both understand the others goal, and they both want to stop the other one from achieving it.
Kingsfield's goal is to not get close to any of the students, and to maintain a serious and condescending attitude, and Hart's goal is to get close to Kingsfield and figure out what makes Kingsfield act the way he does. Watching them interact is always interesting to me, because every time they meet the situation is different.
I really enjoyed the book, it was very interesting reading about various law cases, and watching the students act more and more crazy, but the part I liked the most was how weirdly the characters emotions changed. The scene that confuses me the most, is when Hart goes to Susan's house, after he misses his classes, to complain. Susan at first seems like shes going to be caring and kind... then BAM milk is poured all over Hart head. At the time all I could think of is, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH SUSAN?" Also when she gets Hart to actually, physically, fight her is beyond strange. What kind of person actually wants someone else to physically hurt them self. Its just so strange. But, saying that, Susan was also my favorite character BECAUSE he emotions were so random.
1. I think success comes for Hart when Kingsfield finally acknowledges that he knows his name at the end of the book. We know that he knows because he makes a "slight smile" after he asks. This is really what Hart wanted all along. Kingsfield finally says that they have somewhat of a special connection that he has with no one else.
ReplyDelete2. I don't think that this scene portrays them as robots like the rest, just dedicated students. I think it shows that they really recognize what it takes to be the best at Harvard Law, and they are prepared to do whatever it takes. I especially liked the detail that they threatened to sue the hotel's manager when he tried to kick them out. I guess you could argue that this shows what they actually learned during their first year.
3.As I said before, I think that this is Kingsfield's affirmation of his and Hart's special relationship that has developed. I thought Kingsfield was finally show in somewhat of a nice light at the end of the book, which I didn't really mind. I guess it tied everything up nicely.
4. I really disliked the ending of the novel. I thought it was somewhat of a bullshit way to change the direction or make some statement. It just didn't feel plausible to me. If Osborn had never mentioned the grades at all, I would have been a lot more satisfied with the ending.
All throughout the novel, Susan has been unattainable. She represents this unique, independent, individual that Hart can't let go of. When Hart finally is able to be with Susan without needing to put their love in a contract, is when Hart achieves success. He proves that he's not like all of the other lawyer boys who either can't handle the pressure, or are too self-absorbed. Hart is real, he's achieved the highest level of success. He's at the point where he is so comfortable with himself and his ability to interpret the law that he feels that stress is not necessary. He no longer is in competition. Whether or not he has won is unimportant. Hart just leaves the race, and so of course he wins his own race. There's nobody trying to be like him, only people trying to be as good as him at law. Its the realization that when everyone is competing for the same thing, nobody can win.
ReplyDeleteEven together, Hart and Ford are lone wolves, they're just team mates in a bigger competition. The fact that they're isolated makes it seem like they're hiding all of the deepest and darkest secrets. Finding the general theories behind each class is crucial to their success. Its the key framework that all of the other kids obviously miss since they ask about case facts. Hart and Ford know it's impossible to memorize each case, so they find the core and build around it. In many ways this is what Hart does at the end of the book. He takes the elements in his life, but he interprets them in whichever way he deems fit.
Kingsfields final desperate attempt to maintain his domination does not surprise me in the least. He is so constant its almost comforting. At the same time I can't help but laugh. It seems utterly ridiculous that Kingsfield does not know Hart's name. What's important about that passage, I feel like, is Hart's unaffectedness towards Kingsfield's characteristic coldness.
This book brought up many interesting questions and concepts that I thoroughly enjoyed discussing. Although I found Osborne's writing style a little too obvious at times. The entertainment factor was not very high and I found it hard to connect with these people who are devoted to the following of a grail, to use Fitzgerald's words out of context.
1) success, to Hart, is the ability to work hard to achieve what must be done while still living a life that someone may enjoy. Kevin could not do this and I think that Hart did not know how, or even that he should be aiming for this goal, until later in the novel.
ReplyDelete2) I think that it just shows how he is aiming for that balance, the ability to separate his school from his life. He leaves and goes to a completely unconnected place for a week so that he can immerse himself, so that he can completely focus, and so that he can relax when it is all over. His room will not forever remind him of the extreme intensity with which he had to face his finals and he will be able to shake off the feeling of entrapment after his final, after he checks out of both the room and contracts.
3) I really wanted Kingsfield to be able to connect with Hart after everything. I understood his actions in class and was hoping that this was at least partially because he thought it tonight the students better. I wanted him to finally recognize that Hart had made it through and that he did not need to be treated in that way but he didn't and I don't really know what I think of him anymore.
4) I liked it. I liked the excerpts and I liked how it seemed to jump around. It was sort of jumbled and in bits and pieces and I really liked that.
1.
ReplyDeleteI believe that success has had different meanings to Hart over the course of the book. For most of his first year at Harvard Law School, success meant winning the attention of Kingsfield, to prove himself to the teacher that he reveres. Towards the end of the book, during his great studying session, Kingsfield means nothing to him, his only goal is to pass the course, to obtain the highest grade he possibly can. Success to Hart means being unequaled, to obtain respect from the students around him as well as from Kingsfield himself.
2.
This is the only scene in the book, I would argue, where Kingsfield is completely forgotten, and the only thing that Hart is thinking of is the material Kingsfield has given them, as opposed to concentrating on pleasing the teacher himself. This is where the legend of Kingsfield really comes to a complete end for both Hart and Ford.
3.
It's ridiculous for us to believe that kingsfield doesn't recognize his star student. Of course he knows Hart's name after so many encounters. I see this as kingsfield's last ditch effort to maintain some sort of control over Hart. Hart felt obligated to tell Kingsfield that his class resulted in a sort of epiphany, and it's thanks to this epiphany that Hart doesn't mind Kingsfield's response: class is over.
4.
I enjoyed reading as we questioned the method of teaching and watching Hart move through the different stages of school and how he changed and evolved throughout the book.
In my opinion success to Hart is the fact that he was able to get through his first year without going crazy, unlike Kevin. He was able to stay strong and hold on till the end. Of course passing the class goes along with this, but as we see in the end he doesn't open the letter. Along with this success is the ability to be comfortable with life and Susan. Since the beginning of the book Hart came in weak and lost, but by the end he is a confident student who is ready to tackle the next two years. I also think that Hart seeked Kingsfields approval, and at least got a smile out of him towards the end of Chapter 57. Hart tells Kingsfield of the significance he had in Hart's life and "the corners of his thin lips turned up in a smile."
ReplyDeleteThe scene shows Hart and Ford's relationship as a team where they work together and help each other in order to do good in their finals. Compared to their relationship in the beginning where they where lost and had nobody. Now they have survived and know what they have to do. They have learned to manage the work and how to approach it. They are independent and confident that they do not need anybody else, therefore they isolate themselves from the chaotic environment of HLS.
I think Kingsfield is proud of Hart but will not completely show it. He smiled at Hart's comments which shows to me his approval. He will always be the same no matter what, he is who he is. I wasn't surprised at his reaction, but I was expecting a "I'm glad to hear that" or a thank you at least. Kingsfield will always have and show his power to remind students of his status.
I enjoyed the book, but there were times I was confused or disliked several characters and/or their actions. I really liked the fact that it followed the student's days in HLS and it showed the experience of the school. It gave me an insight of College that I had never thought of or seen. I could relate to some of the characters which is something I always like in books.