People are molded by the world around them–The people who raise them, their friends, the town they live in. All of these factors influence who they become, how they act, and how they see the world. For example a child raised in poverty is going to see the world differently then one raised in wealth. And someone raised with a loving family will not be the same as someone raised in a broken home. These are just a few of the many factors that can cause a change from one person to the next. In the book, The Nickel Boys, Elwood, the main character, was said to “talk like a white college boy” unlike the rest of the African Americans at the academy. Elwood was raised to strive for a good education, he went to school, and enjoyed learning. Whereas the other boys weren’t. This was shown when Elwood first entered school at Nickel, and all the other boys slept and goofed off during class instead of learning. This led to the difference in the way they talked and acted. Most of the boys at Nickel A...
I just don’t understand. From the very beginning we were always taught to write essays a certain way. The standard five paragraphs : intro, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion with absolutely no I’s and you’s. First person was always forbidden. I spent a solid 4 years of my life trying to conform to the ”only acceptable way of writing”. So many late nights were spent revising essays. Normally, I was frustrated and on the verge of tears because I just wanted to go to bed as my mom tried to explain to me for the 100th time that I was not allowed to use I’s and you’s. I think it took me all the way until freshman year to finally not use first person in my essays. I swear teachers told us that the essays we were being taught to write would be the same all the way through college. But lo and behold, this week we were told to write an essay that not not only didn’t need five paragraphs but also could be written in, yep you’ve guessed it, FIRST person. Why would teachers be so adamant on making students write only the one way, if they knew only a few years later we would write essays using different formats? Now as I try to write my essay, I physically cannot write in first person. ”My head feels like a smashed pumpkin”(McCloud 881). I can’t fit all these things inside of it. And once again I sit in front of my computer trying to write using a format I spent so many years struggling to get out of my systems.
Interesting insights. Things we were taught and learn does becomes a habit, and some habits are hard to break. It is very true that some methods taught not only in English but Math and other subjects, may not necessarily be needed as we progress academically. I guess as kids become teenagers and teenagers grew older, they become more flexible and learn what and where to apply it to. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you chose to write about this because this is something we discussed together during class. I can totally relate to the struggle of breaking these habits we were always taught were right or wrong. It makes me wonder why teachers engrave these practices into their students if they know it is unrealistic. It also reminds me of the way the teacher from The History Teacher taught his students.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't relate to this more! All throughout different English classes we have been taught to write with a certain formula in mind, and now having to throw all of that away is really challenging. Breaking habits and replacing them with not as "safe" of writing styles is super difficult and it will be really interesting to see how the first sets of essays come out without this comfortable five paragraph format.
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