He is humble and unassuming, but he has more than enough background and requisite knowledge of the material, since that material is usually the subject of his books, research, and free-lancing articles. Despite writing and theorizing on the texts in his own publications, he hardly mentions his own theories in class, let alone forcing them down your throat. Brilliant without being intimidating, he's quite anxious to hear your interpretations in class and in office hours. The one time he finally laid out one of his theories, he did it in such a riveting way and the suspense was genuine. One or two office meetings with him and you'll have more than enough secondary material or research for your paper. I hope that the English Department doesn't keep him an adjunct forever. Hopefully he'll have the chance to rise up.