French Disaster

Yesterday in French class, we were finishing up our discussion on En Attendant Godot. After that, we were asked to get our books for Dans la Solitude des Champs de Coton. Problem: At least 4 people (out of a class of 17 or so) didn't bring their books. After telling us multiple times in the past, our professor became so angry that he stood up, rambled on (in French, of course) about "Never in my 20 year career....." and "You guys are not serious...." and "Waste of time...." among other choice phrases. He proceeded to gather up his things, and walk out of the classroom, leaving the class to silently stare after him for a moment.

That instantly lead to a guilt trip, although I wasn't a contributor to the problem (I was razzed about being guilty when I didn't really do anything wrong later on that day).

Several students (mostly ones who were prepared) stayed after and tried to make heads or tails of what the first part of the book was about since none of us really had a clear idea. After a time, we decided to all show up at the professor's office hours on Tuesday to ask to discuss the play.

We went to put our names on the sign-up sheet for office hours and he caught us and opened the door. He told us to come in and he apologized for acting so rash. He said it wasn't fair to the people who brought the books and were prepared, but he was just really frustrated. We went back into the classroom and had a discussion and pretty much he just talked to us 7 in a more intimate setting about the stuff he would have talked about in class.

After that, he asked us whether we thought it was fair what he did. He wanted honest answers and several of us (after some hesitation) said that he was right to be mad, but it wasn't fair to leave the kids who WERE prepared out in the cold. A classmate also pointed out that it should be more about who read and contributes than who brings the book to class. He agreed and said what he should have done was kick the people out who didn't have the book. He felt bad because he knows that there are main people who contribute and read and are prepared, and that's who he was thinking about right after he left because he knew that it wasn't fair.


Well, I'm glad that's all over. Personally, in my 20 years of... well.... life, I have never had that happen in a class, although I think he was right to be mad. 


I actually got asked to do a blog about my time as a student in Poitou-Charentes. How cool is that?! Regardless of whether it will be a separate blog, or just documented on this one, I'm pretty excited that I'll provide a view of life in France and people actually want to read it! :)