In "The Marriage Plot" by Jeffrey Eugenides, the protagonist reflects on the discomfort of professors assigning their own books in class. This practice often comes off as self-serving, and students can feel awkward when they recognize it. Even a character like Madeleine, who struggles with the reading material, perceives that Zipperstein's work is merely a reformulation of existing ideas rather than groundbreaking.

The passage suggests that there is a hierarchy in academic contributions, and professors sometimes seek validation through their publications. Such dynamics can affect students' perceptions of the material and the credibility of the instructor, leading to a sense of embarrassment in the classroom. The feelings surrounding these assignments highlight the complexities of academia and the challenges students face in navigating their professors' biases.

In "The Marriage Plot" by Jeffrey Eugenides, the protagonist reflects on the discomfort of professors assigning their own books in class. This practice often comes off as self-serving, and students can feel awkward when they recognize it. Even a character like Madeleine, who struggles with the reading material, perceives that Zipperstein's work is merely a reformulation of existing ideas rather than groundbreaking.

The passage suggests that there is a hierarchy in academic contributions, and professors sometimes seek validation through their publications. Such dynamics can affect students' perceptions of the material and the credibility of the instructor, leading to a sense of embarrassment in the classroom. The feelings surrounding these assignments highlight the complexities of academia and the challenges students face in navigating their professors' biases.