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Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition asked this question about The Secret History:
Does anyone else but me think that the Classics professor was involved with the murders?
natascha I think he was involved with the murders on a psychological level. His classroom aesthetic, the way he cut off his students from any other guidance, h…moreI think he was involved with the murders on a psychological level. His classroom aesthetic, the way he cut off his students from any other guidance, his discussions idolizing the Greek "insanity" and whatnot all influenced the students into their decisions from that point on. His view towards murder and the bacchanals definitely influenced them (Henry especially) to actually commit one. Also, the secret talks he had with Henry telling him to "always do what's necessary" could've been directed towards anything but I think it is rational to assume it is somewhat related to the bacchanal if not exactly the topic of conversation. The way Julian described everything to vulnerable kids who cling on to every word he says was intentional, no way to deny it. Even while Richard listened to him lecture you could literally read his opinions changing and leaning more towards Julian's. He morally corrupted them, but they committed the actions. I don't know if he was actually involved involved but I think his influence is what led them to want to hold the bacchanal that started it all anyway. Also, as the classics professor, Julian had to have known how followers of Bacchus actually did hold their bacchanals and how Henry would want to hold his the same, as Henry was obsessionally immersed in the past. I think the point of the novel was moral corruption and that's essentially what he did. I'm sure they all were already curious about that aspect of Greek mythology (considering they studied Greek) but his romanticization tipped them over the edge into actually wanting to execute it. (less)
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The Secret History
by Donna Tartt
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