I'm not trying to call anyone out, but its about time for another rant about the problems clearly apparent in the structure of the American education system.
I think there is hypocrisy in this assignment in that we are analyzing romantic poems that are telling us to stop analyzing them and go experience the world around us firsthand. Not that education is not important, it very much is. But if indoor, logical, one perspective analysis is all we do, we are not taking advantage of the opportunities presented to us by the world by simply existing in it.
Romanticism is all about praising nature and questioning the normalcy of typical societal expectations. Yet we follow a schedule every day in school or work that encourages if not forces us to cling to rigidity. I think this is a reason why we find there is a significant gap between our ability to learn the technical aspects of a subject versus our ability to apply them in the real world. And, if we're being honest, education is mainly here to prepare us for the "real world", and to equip us with the understanding of the world so that we can better it. But if we remain locked away from the world, how are we to change it?
Yes, reading and analyzing poetry has its benefits and importance. Most things do. But it would be irresponsible of us as analysts to not consider the opposite perspective.
Well technically this comment is hypocritical, but I agree. Here we are sitting inside on a beautiful day trying to find the deeper meaning of Romantic poetry when it is telling us to experience life and nature for ourselves. Instead of really finding the meaning we are simply disrespecting it. However, it is important to be educated, so we have to find an equilibrium somehow.
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