In the
article entitled “Another School Year – Why?” John Ciardi states that universities are not only to make a specialist of a
student but also a member of a
civilized world. He refers to his first-hand experience as a teacher of English with a student of pharmacy reluctant to study “Hamlet”. He explains to a young man the reasons for acquiring
general knowledge and the ideas of humanity. In order to illustrate his point Ciardi uses a metaphor of division a 24-hour day into three sections: sleep, work and leisure. The latter two, he emphasizes, depend much on the intellectual development. The author also reports that history is an important element in both techniques and humanities because it enables people to know more than their predecessors. Ciardi’s last point concerns a role of books as the sources of human experience providing the basis for civilized world.Although the article was written nearly fifty years ago the
subject is still relevant today. It is thus likely to interest not only sociologists and psychologists but also students, professors and even parents. The author treats his subject seriously but at the same time with a sensible dose of humor which may win him many readers. One may feel disappointed since Ciardi looks only at one side of the issue, namely criticizes the
attitude of a student.The article is easy to read for general audience because of the humorous and vivid portrayal of the type of student. Such words as ‘specimen’, ‘beanpole’ or ‘pest’ reveal the ironic attitude of the author toward his obstructive pupil. Ciardi expresses his thoughts effectively and engagingly using various devices, e.g. dialogues in his conversation with the student or a quotation at the end of the article, which makes him convincing and not dogmatic.
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