This scene takes place in an old Victorian-style study filled with shelves of bound books, a cluttered wooden desk, and a grand fireplace. The room is lit predominantly by natural light filtering through a tall window, casting a gentle warm glow on the surfaces. Pops of color are added through the rich reds of the carpet and the jewel greens of the seat cushions. A dapper man, meticulously dressed, evoking a dandified disposition, is standing to one side of the frame, his posture straight, his face serious.
He is studying a younger man, who is seated by the desk, under this gentleman’s tutelage. The young man is portrayed in soft focus, his expression is contemplative as he pores over an open book. The depth of the shot provides an isolated sense of space for these two figures.
The shot is balanced with the standing man on the left and the sitting man on the right, the two men perfect contrasts to one another. The perspective given suggests a voyeuristic view of their activities. The camera angle subtly shifts from a wide view to close-up shots of their faces to capture their emotions. This scene has the quiet, steady movement from the students’ page-turning, the sparks in the fireplace, or both the characters’ subtle movements.