The recent obituary for the esteemed literary critic and scholar John Carey has prompted a former student to share a vivid personal recollection, painting a picture of a brilliant yet complex young don at the University of Oxford in the late 1950s.
A Formidable Young Tutor at Christ Church
The writer, who studied under Carey at Christ Church in 1958-59, confirms that even at the age of 24, Carey's teaching style was memorably intense. He is described as being "both painstaking and pugnacious", a combination that left a lasting impression. One particular tutorial on the finer points of John Milton's punctuation is recalled for its sharpness and rigour, showcasing the young academic's formidable intellect and exacting standards.
A Puzzling Sensitivity to Oxford's Class Divide
However, the tribute also expresses a degree of puzzlement over Carey's noted sensitivity to the class-consciousness that was pervasive in Oxford at that time. As highlighted by DJ Taylor, Carey came from a quintessentially middle-class family. Given this background, coupled with his own towering academic achievements, the writer questions why Carey would have been troubled by what he terms "snobbish pipsqueaks" within the university's social hierarchy.
This personal reflection is contrasted with the author's own experience with Oxford's ingrained class attitudes. In 1961, when seeking advice from the university's career service, he was told that with his regional accent, a career as a schoolmaster would be best pursued in a city like Bradford, rather than in more traditionally elite circles.
Legacy of a Literary Titan
This anecdote adds a nuanced, personal layer to the public understanding of John Carey's early career and personality. It reinforces his reputation as a fiercely intelligent and demanding scholar while introducing a question about the personal impact of Oxford's social environment on even its most gifted insiders. The memory serves as a poignant footnote to the life of a man who would become one of Britain's most respected literary voices, reminding us that academic prowess and social confidence do not always walk hand in hand.
