I Know Why The Caged Bird Cannot Read Summary

In 1999 Francine Prose wrote an article titled “I Know Why The Caged Bird Cannot Read” about the utilization of literature in schools. She believes that schools are not effectively teaching students to love reading, and instead, trying to force morals on the students using literature. Her analysis of the situation is concrete and her argument logical and convincing. From my own experience Prose is correct in her evaluation.

One of the biggest problems, as she points out is the selection of literature. In paragraphs 33 and 34 she details how there are many books that are expertly written and tell great stories, yet they are not chosen because of their complex moral positions. In order for schools to incorporate values into their English classrooms, they must have conflicts that are easily digestible and thought through. Complicating these values would undermine the purpose of the whole lesson. A problem has arisen because of the moral simplicity of the chosen books that wasn’t near as prevent when Pros originally wrote the essay as it is now. The actual reading has become less important. When the purpose

Prose blames the teachings of morals through books is the cause of young people's growing dislike for literature. She outlines two main points. The first is that it is essentially watering down what students read in school. Whether the book is complex, or simple they are being consumed as a single entity with little close analysis. Instead, children are taught only large generalizations. This, in turn, makes it harder for students to connect emotionally with a book. In paragraph 30 she describes the epiphany she had while reading Shakespeare’s Lear. It is becoming harder and harder for students to have similar experiences because they are not taught read and analyze in a way that brings this