Liberal Arts

Peter Hoberg invites Jesse back to the college to attend his retirement ceremony, pulling him back into the campus world he once loved. The invitation rekindles Jesse's sense of belonging to an environment of literature and conversation. The moment signals the start of a weekend that will blur the lines between his New York life and the campus he regards as home.

After the retirement dinner, Jesse stumbles upon a campus party where he runs into Zibby, a bright sophomore with a love of drama. They exchange smiles and curiosity, sparking a connection that feels both old and new. The encounter plants the seed for a complicated attraction.

Jesse and Zibby agree to meet for coffee the next day, signaling the start of a budding, risky romance. They share a casual conversation about life, books, and music as they test the boundaries of their growing closeness. The moment marks the first real emotional pull between them.

The next afternoon, Jesse spends time with Zibby walking around campus, discussing literature and their differing life stages. The conversations reveal Jesse's longing for a simpler college-era happiness and Zibby's earnest, hopeful sense of possibility. The campus becomes a backdrop for emotional exploration.

During the same afternoon, Jesse runs into Judith Fairfield, Nat, and the bright but troubled student Dean. These interactions weave Jesse deeper into the campus's social fabric and foreshadow the ways adult and student lives intersect. He feels the pull of shared stories and unfinished business.

Before Jesse leaves, Zibby asks to stay in touch through hand-written letters, and they agree to nurture their connection that defies simple age boundaries. They become closer as the exchange of words deepens their bond. The handwritten correspondence becomes a lifeline for their evolving relationship.

Zibby invites Jesse back to campus and hints at stronger feelings, acknowledging the 16-year age gap while still pursuing connection. They spend time together and share a kiss, crossing a personal line that complicates Jesse's sense of propriety. Peter's opinion looms in the background as a counterpoint.

Peter Hoberg warns Jesse to consider dating women his own age, highlighting the power imbalance and the potential consequences. Jesse weighs the advice against his feelings for Zibby, sensing a clash of desire and responsibility. The scene creates tension about societal norms and personal happiness.

Zibby confesses her virginity and asks to sleep with Jesse; he agrees but changes his mind after she reveals this detail, feeling unready and perhaps wary of pressure. Zibby feels rejected and hurt, which intensifies the strain between them. The moment crystallizes the unsustainability of their liaison.

Jesse goes to a bar, meets Judith Fairfield again, and they have a one-night stand. In the morning, Fairfield tells him to grow up and sends him away, underscoring his flawed approach to relationships. The encounter serves as a counterpoint to his feelings for Zibby.

Zibby goes to a party and kisses a classmate, demonstrating her own efforts to navigate desire and maturation in a world she still sees as exciting. This moment clarifies the complexity of youth, longing, and consent. It also deepens Jesse's sense of distance from her.

Jesse leaves the campus without seeing Zibby again and says goodbye to Peter, signaling a physical and emotional separation from the Ohio world. He returns to New York and begins a period of reflection and continuing life. The farewell sets the stage for later reconciliation.

Months later, Jesse writes to Zibby from New York, apologizing for hurting her and explaining that he misses her and has grown as a person. He starts dating Ana, a bookseller with similar taste, marking a pivot from his campus fixation toward adult life. The letters become a bridge across their separate paths.

Jesse helps avert Dean's suicide by overdose, offering guidance to seek life beyond books and crisis. This moment demonstrates Jesse's growth into a more responsible, compassionate mentor figure. It cements his evolving role in the lives around him.

Jesse visits Zibby to apologize again, and Zibby acknowledges that a shortcut through romance would have been wrong, showing understanding and forgiveness. Jesse returns home and renews his correspondence with Zibby, continuing their exchange of letters. The film closes with Zibby reading poetry and both characters imagining growing old together.