Title: David Lodge: A Refreshing Counterpoint to College Concerns
In the early days of my literary journey, a college sweetheart bestowed upon me a copy of David Lodge's novel, "Nice Work." This book was a required read for her senior-year English literature class at the progressive University of Texas at Austin. Back then, it was a notable break from the popular belief that college campuses were entirely under the sway of left-leaning professors.
The plot revolves around Robyn Penrose, a feminist university professor, and Vic Wilcox, the managing director of a local manufacturing firm. Penrose was assigned to shadow Wilcox to foster better industry-academia partnerships. Lodge's works are humorously addictive, but "Nice Work" carried an underlying message. Wilcox, the industry champion, served to challenge Penrose's anti-business views. He emphasized that economics is, in essence, the fabric of life, and every choice comes with trade-offs – even the ones advocated for by academics.
Wilcox smartly posed challenging questions to Penrose. He questioned her justification for wanting permanent jobs for her colleagues, even if they were mediocre. Meanwhile, she lamented salary cuts, but Wilcox wondered aloud if universities should be expected to expand indefinitely. Wilcox's letter underscored the declining morale among state employees and posed the question if the era of the "smart state" had come to an end.
The novel was part of a larger trilogy, including "Changing Places" (1975) and "Small World" (1984). The latter was a humorous take on left-leaning academics globetrotting on someone else's dime, aiming for high-paying, low-work positions. Inspired by these novels, many conservative commentators still argue about the left-leaning environment in universities, claiming that times have drastically changed.
However, Lodge's satire extended far beyond modern times. William F. Buckley penned "God and Man at Yale" in the 1950s, denouncing the progressive atmosphere on college campuses, which underscores the consistent presence of political controversies in the higher education landscape.
"Nice Work" is a must-read for anyone seeking a respite from the gloom and despair of current academic debates. David Lodge's wit and humor underscore the continuity and cyclical nature of our societal fretfulness. As a devoted follower of his works, I found solace in knowing that I'm not battling uncharted waters, and I hope that readers will be able to share in this relief as well.
John Tamny, a prominent conservative columnist, often cites David Lodge's "Nice Work" in his obituaries, highlighting its relevance to current debates in higher education. Tamny has a collection of Lodge's books, including "Small World," which he often refers to in his articles advocating for a balanced view in academia.
