Analysis Of Disliking Books By Gerald Graff

Support and encouragement at home contribute to the success a child achieves in school without regard to his parents’ level of education. Parents want a better life for their children and education is a big factor in improving quality of life.
In Disliking Books by Gerald Graff, PhD the author illustrated his aversion to books as a student and how finally he learned to love literature through his fascination with critics ' debates and controversy. Graff felt that his initial delay in reading and understanding books helped him, as a Professor of English, to create common ground with non-readers. Born to middle class Jewish parents, Graff grew up in a Chicago neighborhood. His parents expected him to attend college and encouraged him to enjoy reading. Graff did not like to read and. his father tried in many ways to interest Graff in books. From comics and detective stories to solitary confinement (in his room), nothing could hold Graff’s interest in the written word. He got good grades but never found classic literature enjoyable until he discovered that it was acceptable to critique and even argue about books and their interpretations. His father’s persistent encouragement to read and expectation of college attendance kept Graff focused on his school work and eventually he found his niche as an English Professor. In Scholarship Boy by Richard Rodriguez, the writer states his theory that becoming well educated distances us from family and culture. . The writer 's discovery that he has a knack for reading and learning not only rewards him with knowledge but a responsibility to further that knowledge to help others. Even though Rodriguez feels that he has chosen the world of academics over his family and its culture, his family is supportive and proud of his academic achievements. They attend enthusiastically his graduations and other awards. His family, though baffled by his love of books, remains steadfastly on his side. For example, Rodriguez …show more content…
Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Education as sources that encourage parents to be supportive and involved in their child’s education. Children whose parents set high standards for them, read to them and with them, and are interested and involved in homework are better adjusted at school and get better grades than children whose parents set low or no standards. Parents who monitor their children’s television viewing habits and designate a quiet space to do homework are actively contributing to their children’s success in …show more content…
Both Disliking Books and Scholarship Boy, have main characters with parents who may not be college educated, but who support and encourage their sons to do well in school. Even if the child does not appreciate the parent’s encouragement and attempts to become involved, the supportive attitude encourages the child to do well. In Disliking Books, Graff’s father persisted in finding a way to make his son read. This persistence is reflected in his son’s attitude as he finally finds that his interest is piqued by opinions of the critics. Scholarship Boy, who feels isolated from his family even when in the same room, still has the benefit of proud and involved parents encouraging him to do well. Although his family doesn’t understand him, they are proud and attempt to be involved with his schoolwork. Finally, Susan Diranian’s article gives solid resources to back up the claim that parents who are interested and involved in their children’s education have children who are better adjusted with better