Tired of the same old message
Every year, students are expected to read several pieces of literature in their English classes. As a sophomore, this year’s books are quite disappointing compared to last year’s, repeating the same similar message along with useless fluff.
William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” aims to inform people on how much we are naturally corrupt. Yes, the book is supposed to warn people about the dangerous nature within us, but it was so blatant in how the message was conveyed. The changes in the boys’ characters seemed way too sudden, and the actions that showed their descent into chaos were so radical that it was hard to take the message seriously. Not to say that the message is not important, but the book was just frustrating to read.
Almost forgettable, Sophocles’ “Antigone” seemed like a waste of time. We did not even get to read the first two books in the series, so it seemed like this was just something we had to read to please the district. Not much time was spent on it, but all the work and analysis spent on the play seemed a little much for its simple message of don’t be close-minded.
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” just seemed like a longer, futuristic version of “Lord of Flies.” It contained so much strange emphasis on sex that it could even make teenage boys squirm. It seemed like an extremist made up a radical story to exaggerate fears that aren’t really valid, like the controversy around genetic engineering. We learn about the process in biology, and it’s only been helpful in its results on disabled people. Alongside the novel’s all powerful government, the uncomfortable nature of the novel seems too much for the same obvious message: humans like power, humans are greedy, and human instinct is dangerous.
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” may be well-known and praised, but its Romantic style leaves much of the book subject to lots of useless text about nature. I get it, nature is pretty. I don’t need to read about the beauty of a mountain when I could just look out my window and see it for myself. I feel it could be more interesting if Shelley hadn’t droned on about nature and Frankenstein’s sad boy hours. That way, the mysterious mood that she hoped brought suspense and anxiety to the reader would’ve been more prominent and more enjoyable to read.
All together, the books communicate the same obvious message all throughout the year and weird us out for no good reason. They only bombard students with a large amount of work that is too straining for the sake of boring literature. Switch it up please.
