The Late Paper

THE LATE PAPER PROFESSOR FREUD announced in her first day handout for Psychology 101 that final term papers had to be in her hands by 12:00 noon on December 18th. No students, she emphasized, would pass the course without a completed term paper turned in on time. As the semester drew to a close, KIM had an “A” average in Professor Freud’s psychology class, and she began researching her term paper with excitement. ARNOLD, Kim’s husband, felt threatened that he had only a high school diploma while his wife was getting closer and closer to having a college degree. Arnold worked at a bakery where his friend PHILIP began teasing him that Kim would soon dump Arnold for a college guy. That’s when Arnold started accusing Kim of having an affair and demanded that she quit college. She told Arnold that he was being ridiculous. In fact, she said a handsome young man in her history class had asked her out a number of times, but she had always refused. Instead of feeling better, Arnold now became even angrier. With Philip continuing to tease him at work, Arnold became convinced Kim was having an affair, and he began telling her every day that she was stupid and would never get a degree. Despite the tension at home, Kim finished her psychology term paper the day before it was due. Since Arnold had hidden the keys to their car, she decided to take the bus to the college and turn in her psychology paper a day early. While she was waiting for the bus, CINDY, one of Kim’s psychology classmates pulled up in her car and invited Kim to join her and some other students for an end-of-semester celebration. Kim told Cindy that she needed to turn in her term paper, and Cindy promised that she’d make sure Kim got it in on time. “I deserve some fun” Kim decided so she hopped into the car. The celebration went long into the night. Kim kept asking Cindy to take her home, but Cindy always responded, “Don’t be such a bore. Have another drink.” When Cindy finally took Kim home it was 4:30 in the morning. She sighed with relief when she found that Arnold had already fallen asleep. When Kim woke up the next day it was 11:30, just 30 minutes until her term paper was due. She could make it to the college in time by car, so she shook Arnold and begged him to drive her to the college. He just snapped, “Oh sure, you stay out all night with your college friends. Then, I’m supposed to get up on my day off and drive you all over town. Forget it.” At least give me the keys to the car,” she said, but Arnold merely rolled over and went back to sleep. Panicked, Kim called Professor Freud’s office and told MARY, the secretary, that she was having car trouble. “Don’t worry,” Mary assured Kim, “It’s Christmas time. I’m sure Professor Freud won’t care if your paper’s a few minutes late. Just be sure to have here before she leaves at 1:00.” Relieved, Kim decided not to try to wake Arnold again; instead she took the bus. At 12:10, Kim walked into Professor Freud’s office with her term paper. Professor Freud said, “Sorry Kim. You’re 10 minutes lat.” She refused to accept Kim’s term paper and gave Kim an “F” for the course. Rank the following characters in order of their responsibility for Kim’s failing grade in the class. Give a different score to each character and explain why you gave that score. Please be sure your response is at least five sentences sentences. Most responsible 1 2 3 4 5 6 Least responsible - Professor Freud, the psychology teacher - Philip, Arnold’s fellow worker Kim, the psychology student - Cindy, Kim’s classmate Arnold, Kim’s husband - Mary, Professor Freud’s secretary