The English teacher kept his fingers crossed about Exeter; if the boy was accepted, Mr. Leary hoped the school would be so rigorous that it might save young Baciagalupo from the more unsavory aspects of his imagination. At Exeter, maybe the mechanics of writing would be so thoroughly demanding and time-consuming that Danny would become a more intellectual writer. {Meaning what, exactly? Not quite such a creative one?}
In the story, Mr. Leary, the English teacher, harbors hopes for young Baciagalupo's acceptance into Exeter, believing that the school's strenuous academic environment could steer him away from his less desirable thoughts and fantasies. Mr. Leary imagines that the rigorous demands of writing at Exeter might help Danny mature into a more thoughtful and disciplined writer.
However, this raises questions about the nature of creativity. The concern is whether the intense focus on the mechanics of writing could stifle Danny's imagination, leading to a type of writing that is less innovative or expressive. Thus, there’s a tension between nurturing creativity and fostering technical proficiency in his work.
