Lesson #4

Part A

1. I read Gone With the Wind four times last year.
2. Who said, “To thine own self be true”?
3. All my brother could say was “it's just too early to spot a trend.”
4. My favorite poem is “Ode to an Athlete Dying Young.” I found it in the 11th grade anthology.
5. “Stock market falls drastically” was the headline of the New York Times on "Black Monday" in l929.
6. Dr. Bean said Mary's finger was impossible to save. Correct
7. He remarked, “I am tired.”
8. The principal said “the next person who pushes someone into a wall and says I was only kidding will be suspended.”
9. My favorite part of the play was Act 1 Scene ii. Correct
10. When President Reagan was shot, General Alexander Haig went on television and announced to the people “I am in charge.”

Part B

“I’m sorry Mr. Fisher, but I believe you have mistaken my paper with someone else’s.”  India had worked day and night on her paper about Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged, and there was no way that her ironically closed-minded philosophy professor was going to not give her an “A” on her masterpiece.

“No India, I’m pretty sure that I read and graded your paper correctly.  Is there something that you would like to discuss with me?”

You bet I want to talk to you! “Mr. Fisher when you gave us this assignment you said that you wanted us to ‘go the distance’ and ‘have no restraints’ in what we wrote.”  India was becoming upset that her teacher did not feel as she did. “It seems that everything that you spoke to us is not what you wanted!”

“India, you are great student, but it is in the interest of what I believe about this matter that makes me disagree with your paper.”

Mr. Fisher, I’m not following you.”

“Though you have written a vigorous paper complimenting Rand’s story, I feel that your Rand’s flaws are your flaws.”

“But is that even possible Mr. Fisher?” “Just because my view is different from your own shouldn’t give you the clearance to give me a grade less than I deserve.”  The more she spoke the more she realized that her professor was amused by her plea.”

All India could think about was her father and his demands.  “Mr. Fisher, my father said he would strip me of my finances if I don’t get an “A” average.  I’m riding on this paper.”

“India your paper meets all of the requirements, but it lacks the view point that I would have wanted you to portray.”  He was disappointed that his star student refused to have his belief system.  And for that he could not give her the grade that she deserved.  Sure it was wrong of him, but he was the teacher.

Who does this guy think he is.  It’s not worth it. “Ok Mr. Fisher, I accept this grade.”  India decided to take the more optimistic role of the situation.  After all, she lived by the quote that Ayn Rand said:  “The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it.”