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youthful-ambition-vs-restriction

Colin's eagerness to join historical assignments despite age restrictions reflects the tension between personal desire and institutional limitations.

1 chapter across 1 book

Blackout (2011)Connie Willis

Chapter 3

Colin Templer attempts to locate Mr. Dunworthy, who is elusive and engaged in preparations related to historical time travel assignments, specifically involving a rescue at St. Paul's. Despite obstacles from secretarial gatekeeping and busy lab staff, Colin learns about Polly Churchill's upcoming retrieval and presses Mr. Dunworthy about time travel theories and his own desire to participate in historical assignments despite being underage. The chapter explores the bureaucratic and practical challenges of time travel research and the tensions between youthful ambition and institutional restrictions.