Ouch!
Boy – I hate Hamlet. We had to read it three times in my AP English class.
Girl – Did we read Hamlet?
Me – You did a 20 minute presentation on Hamlet.
Girl – Oh.
Boy – I guess it really made an impression.
—–
Girl was in my AP English class. Boy was not.
Can you imagine the cover letter for a job application. “Please hire me. Students who go through my class don’t actually remember Hamlet two years later, but at least they don’t hate it.”
Stumble it!
and the 529 college savings accounts get a kickback.
August 27th, 2007 23:40
I hate english. I think I hate Shakespeare the most out of all english I’ve had to read/write. The only reason I liked your classes was that you let me write what I whatever I wanted about the book as long as I could be logical and back it up. I like logic. And math. And science.
I promise that if Hamelet had anything chemical in it I would have remembered, however, as it were, I don’t think chemistry or pharmacy were big in Shakespeare’s time period…
Want some compounded drugs?
August 27th, 2007 23:40
and I cant even spell HAMLET correctly… how did you expect me to remember I read it?
August 28th, 2007 09:48
The only reason I liked your classes was that you let me write what I whatever I wanted about the book as long as I could be logical and back it up.
And that is EXACTLY what I hate about most English classes. They are taught as though there is some ‘true” meaning to the book, usually only one true, real, certified and official interpretation, and the student has to figure ut what that meaning is. Since the teacher’s choice is rather arbitrary as every text has multiple possible interpretations the student ends up kind of screwed and, reasonably, resentful.
And, I don’t need any compounded drugs right now, but I really wish I had known about that compounded cream for early breastfeeding pain back when it would have mattered because that lanolin stuff didn’t really cut it.
August 28th, 2007 10:06
What I dislike about reading most Shakespeare in HS is that in general kids don’t have the life experience or maturity to really appreciate what’s going on in most of the stories. That’s not to say they are dense or even naive, just that Hamlet is pretty heavy for most 16 year olds. While they can grasp the concept of uncle killing papa and mama marrying him, suicidal thoughts, actual suicide and escaping murder, etc., I think the true horror of it is hard to convey to someone so young. Perhaps I’m underestimating the Youth of America, and if so I apologize freely to them. Then again, if they won’t be reading it anywhere else in life, maybe it’s good to drop it on them then instead of never.
As for teachers who only allow their limited interpretation of text…those people shouldn’t be teachers. It’s a damned shame they make up 90% of them; apparently, my view is a minority one. Gotta keep them kids in line, thoughts and all!
August 28th, 2007 10:45
And, I don’t need any compounded drugs right now, but I really wish I had known about that compounded cream for early breastfeeding pain back when it would have mattered because that lanolin stuff didn’t really cut it.
Off topic, I know, but can you elaborate on this? Sounds like something I need to add to my “For Future Reference” notebook.
August 28th, 2007 11:06
Coumpounded Ointment for BAD Breastfeeding Pain: http://www.kellymom.com/newman/03b-treatments_sore_nipples_breasts.html#apno
You shouldn’t need something that powerful unless you have thrush. If you deliver via c-section (which is more likely for multiple births) they will pump you full of IV antibiotics to combat infection and that is likely to cause thrush, which is just a form of yeast infection but feels like someone is cutting your nipples with knives. Sharp knives.
August 28th, 2007 15:21
I want to teach English someday……I don’t even remember learning Shakespeare in High School. I have papers to prove it…..but I don’t remember it.
I also believe my son did strange things to my brain while I was pregnant. Seems I can’t remember a lot anymore!
August 29th, 2007 00:46
I second that your AP english class was awesome. Being able to write whatever I wanted as long as I could back it up made me actually like english class and made the books more interesting. My college english prof. wasn’t so happy when I took his writing propt and twisted it to my own idea….but oh well.
Anyway, while I kinda remember Hamlet I thought the Handmaid’s Tale was way better (I actually reread that one because I liked it).
August 30th, 2007 10:30
I’ll have you know that I didnt forget Hamlet as much as I assumed (considering I didnt remember it at all on Monday…) considering that I just finished helping my brother outline his paper and find quotes for it!