University of Virginia Library

I believe that you have been
naively misled in your denunciation
of Mr. George Garrett's course,
English 56. There is always a place
for constructive criticism, but your
floccinaucinihilipilification based
on your misunderstanding of his
course exams is reprehensible.
While it is true that the learned
student could earn ten points by
naming the reigning Playmate of
the Year (Donna Michele that
year), the question is defendable.
Mr. Garrett felt that the true
scholar of current American literature
would peruse periodicals of the
calibre of Playboy. Any Playboy
Peruser would be impressed with
Miss Michele's interview. Thus, the
true scholar would know her name.
Some question has been raised
concerning the twenty-five points
awarded for naming all of the
Tarzan books. This question tested
the amount of independent, outside
reading that the student had done.

Before criticizing an exam, or
event, it may be wise to examine
the context within which it resides.
Considering the objectives of Mr.
Garrett's course, the exam given
made more sense that many that
have been given in more recent
years. Your entire editorial sounds
as if you believe the quantity of
work, not the quality of work, is
what this institution is all about.