Justification by Works

Extract

The subject on which I propose to speak to you tonight is a large one. In a sense it covers almost the whole profession of which this Association is the organ—the teaching and the research in one large segment of the humanities. I shall start with the assumption that we are all teachers. This, I know, is not strictly true. But it is probably true of ninety percent, and of the other ten percent some have been teachers and many are preparing themselves for teaching careers. How many of our members are engaged in research I do not know, but the number interested in research or in its results is large, as any one can see from the size of our annual conventions and the attendance at group and sectional meetings. I shall address myself particularly to the job which we have to do as teachers, and I shall consider the part which research plays in that job. I shall even direct a few remarks at those who are so heretical as to think that the MLA and PMLA are not perfect! In the light of this modest preview I am sure of your unanimous agreement on one point, that I have set myself a sufficiently large task for fifty minutes.