In "The Achievement of Desire" Richard Rodriguez explains the meaning of education. Education is not just a tool used for students to grow in knowledge but also an adaptive environment to mold the student's minds. Richard Rodriguez speaks of the difficulty he had in his academic growth. This difficulty was produced by the necessity to balance his school life with his home life. He said that he would spend hours reading and completing homework however; his parents were unable to understand his passion for learning. His parents, especially his mother, did however encourage him to continue on with his studies in hopes of attaining a good job later on in life. Throughout his studies he realized the changes that were occurring within him as a person. As he saw these changes he became more and more frightened that he was loosing himself. He was so changed by his studies that his home life became awkward to the point where he could hardly hold a conversation with his parents. He states "...the scholarship boy grows nostalgic because he remains the uncertain scholar, bright enough to have moved from his past, yet unable to feel easy, a part of a community of academics." This quote describes his difficult transition into a scholarship boy. He had great potential to be a scholar and was able to break away from his past however, he was unable to feel as though he was apart of the academic community he so longed to be in. I found this story gave me new perspective on education and how it affects students.
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I agree with the statement that education is not just a tool used for students to grow in knowledge but also an adaptive environment to mold the student's minds. A school environment teaches opinions, social skills and other parts of a personality besides pure knowledge. Rodriquez talks of losing his Spanish accent, a result of his education, proving that education involves adaptation and change to fit into the common status quo. But a home life does not adapt to this environment of education so while you change as a person, your old life remains stagnant so that you feel awkward as you try to determine who you are both academically and personally.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think the quote you offered comes from Hoggart, the scholar that Rodriguez cites throughout his essay. He uses Hoggart's concept of the "scholarship boy" as a critical lens to examine (analyze) his own life.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the idea that school is so much more than just giving students knowledge. Teachers must guide and transition their students from one level to the next in many aspects of life, responsibility, maturity, knowledge and being their as a positive influence and role model that students need in their lives. I also agree that ones home remains stagnant while that may be hard because as a student you are always looking to change and grow from your experiences in the school environment.
ReplyDeleteI thought Rodriguez put too much emphasis that he had to choose between family and education. I dont think that is necessary. If I were passionate about football and was good at it, but realized that my family was not, I wouldnt put that between us. Different strokes for different folks, to each his own and all that.
ReplyDeleteI understand the hurt Rodriguez felt though, when his mom asked for a good book to read and when he gave her one she didnt read it. It could seem that she didnt take a genuwine interest in what he was so excited about, that could hurt alot. As a parent, it makes such an impact to take an interest in what your child loves.
I just think that family comes first, education is fundamental for success, but above that good morals and family bonds and values should be prority. Hitler was educated, look what he did.
I agree with what Sarah says. Education is what changes us and help find our identity. Most of people find their own identity in colleges because of education. I agree completely that the balance is part of our lives. We have to balance everything otherwise our lives will be full of chaos. When we get into UW-Milwaukee, we were teached to balance our life with family, friends, school, homeworks and job. That is how we can survive through. I feel that we have to embrace the change in ourselves because we are constantly evolving in our knowledge and identity. We cannot prevent it because it is natural.
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