'Normal People': Love among the ruins – People's World
Marianne is the smartest girl in the small West Ireland high school. She knows it. As a classmate acknowledges to her, “You’re smarter than me.” “Smarter than everyone,” Marianne shoots back. When a teacher scolds her for not paying attention, Marianne sharply knifes back at him: “Don’t hurt yourself. I’ve nothing to learn from you.” The entire class laughs, nervously.