The most dangerous word in any human tongue is the word for brother. It’s inflammatory.
Randall Jarrell – Pictures from an Institution
The Peril of ‘Brother’
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Pictures from an Institution by Randall Jarrell is a satirical novel set in a small liberal arts college in the mid-20th century. The book follows the lives and relationships of faculty members, administrators, and students through a series of interconnected stories. The central character is Gertrude Johnson, a beloved English professor who represents the best of the institution's ideals but is ultimately driven out by the forces of conformity and mediocrity. Jarrell's sharp wit and keen observations expose the hypocrisy and pretensions of academia while also celebrating the power of literature and the humanities to inspire and transform. Despite its dark humor and occasional bleakness, Pictures from an Institution ultimately offers a hopeful vision of the enduring value of education and intellectual curiosity.