For high school
students, one of the most groan-worthy aspects of summer vacation is typically
the summer reading list. Even as an avid reader and book lover, I hated the
summer reading list for school. Not only did I not want to be required to read
seven books over my summer in the sun, I couldn't stand being told what I was
allowed to read. Of course, I was proven wrong plenty of times. Most of the
books on the summer reading lists were classics that I absolutely adored after
the fact, but some I just couldn't get into. Sadly, Jane Austen was one of
those authors I just couldn't connect with as a particularly young 14 year old
just entering high school.
The summer before my freshman year in high school, Pride and Prejudice was on the "required reading" list. I picked up the book, hearing of it many times before of course and fully expecting to love it. But, that just wasn't the case. I couldn't find my footing in the lofty and unattainable language, I couldn't relate to the characters, and I was completely bored by the plot. I know, I know—you Austen-ites out there are begging to just shake my 14 year old self. I understand. But, I do think that my experience with Austen for the first time serves as an apt lesson. After only reading part of the novel and feigning having read the rest in high school, I sworn off Austen forever—at least that's what I said.
In many ways I think this is one of the challenges students and teachers alike face when approaching literature in high school. These novels are, at times, just too adult and too inaccessible for our young students. Now, this isn't to say that I think they shouldn't be read and taught in high school, but I do think maybe our approach should be revitalized. I went into reading Pride and Prejudice fully expecting to adore the novel. As a self-proclaimed book nerd and a lover of the study, how could I not love such a classic example of the written word? This was the issue. I had built up Jane Austen into to being something that I absolutely had to love. There was no question that I would like Austen because that's simply what young students who love reading did. So, when I didn't like Austen at all, I felt like I must not be smart enough to understand. Unfortunately, this really shook my young book-loving self.
I think that this is a
common occurrence for younger students. They are told time and time again that
"everyone loves these novels" and then many find themselves feeling
underequipped for them. The fact of the matter is that these novels are adult
novels. Many of them call on experiences that young high schoolers can't even
begin to fathom yet. While it can be important to read about these stories and
experience the feelings taking place in the novels, we shouldn't expect our
students to immediately become enamored by our favorite classics. I think that
we as teachers should approach these novels with our classes in a way that
communicates that they are challenging and may not feel very accessible at
first.
As a junior in college, I took a class that required us to read Jane Austen's Persuasion. I was still extremely apprehensive and frankly not at all looking forward to the process. But, of course, I completely adored the novel. I was at a point in my own life that I could relate to the characters, understand their emotions, and engage with the plot and language. Re-approaching Jane Austen from a new point in my life and from a new perspective made all the difference. If you're like me and swore of Austen early, give it another look. If you are a teacher or have a child who is just now approaching Austen, consider the difficulties younger individuals might have with the text and suggest a revisit later. Lauren Bailey Lauren Bailey is a freelance blogger who loves writing about education, new technology, lifestyle and health. As an education writer, she works to provide helpful information on the best online colleges and courses at www.bestcollegesonline.com/. She welcomes comments and questions via email at blauren [email protected]
