I haven't updated this blog in a long time, due to numerous time consuming activities I have been occupied with. Well, two time consuming activities: school and football. I have no qualms with football (otherwise I wouldn't be playing it), but I have major beef with school.
When are we going to have to analyze literature in our adulthood?
The truth is, most schools demand that students take classes that are either entirely focused on or are in large part dedicated to the analysis of literature. I personally have nothing against the analysis of literature, in fact I think it a reasonably interesting pastime. The truth remains, however, that only a literary critic need have the skills they teach in these classes, and, last time I checked, literary critics did not make up more than 1% of the population. That such classes are compulsory disturbs me. In fact, I can't even understand the American preoccupation with reading. Every time I set foot in an elementary school classroom (which is not often), I am bombarded by propaganda about reading. Really, what is so fantastic about reading? Hell, reading is fun, but video games are fun too. The truth is, generations past looked upon reading as idle pleasure. Once again, I'm not dissing reading. I love reading. What I am dissing is society's groundless obsession with reading, and subsequently the imposing of reading on helpless generations that may or may not share my enjoyment of the activity.
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My impression is that the "obsession" as you say with reading in the schools is about practice, so that young people will grow into adults that can accomplish what they need to accomplish. So much of what we do in life does depend on reading. I think that if we didn't emphasize reading in the elementary years of school, then students wouldn't be prepared for college, for their career choice...unless it won't require reading. Since we have no way to know what path a person will choose, we prepare them minimally for most. Now, I actually agree with you on the literary analysis point. It should be an elective. I think there are far more important things that we could be teaching instead.. life skills for example. Whatever happened to home economics?
I don't think many people grow up to become biologists yet that is compulsory. Same with physics and chemistry. Also many of us do not become Spanish or French, yet language classes are required.
A lot of the time in school you spend time learning about a lot of different things so you can find out what interests you and "learn how to learn". When schools see that you can succeed in a variety of subjects they realize that you are an intelligent person and would be a good addition to their college program.
You also can become WELL ROUNDED
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