Now, on his way to another lecture, the very thought of entering a room full of students, who still thought it was possible to learn all about something, made him yawn.
In "The Dante Club" by Matthew Pearl, the protagonist is on his way to deliver another lecture but feels a sense of ennui. The anticipation of facing a room filled with eager students, who still believe they can comprehensively understand a subject, fills him with boredom. This reflects a growing disillusionment with the educational process.
The protagonist's yawn captures his fatigue with the idea of teaching and learning. It highlights a contrast between the students' enthusiasm and his own weariness, suggesting that he has perhaps lost his passion for imparting knowledge. This moment exemplifies a broader theme of the struggles faced by educators when confronted with the realities of academia.