Analysis Of Half A Day By Naguib Mahfouz

1499 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: individuality and conformity in schools

The story “Half a Day” by Naguib Mahfouz is a mystical tale that cannot be taken literally, but in my opinion has a very powerful message. This story brings up the ideals of conformism in society and also what is the purpose of education? The protagonist of this story does not like the idea of education for the simple reason that he states that the school is a “factory that makes men”. Mahfouz 's use of different elements of tone throughout this story pave the way for a story that is questioning the purpose of education in society. Throughout this story different examples will be brought to light how the purpose of education may not be as important as it preached to children in their everyday lives. Different elements of fiction in this story such …show more content…

I challenged my father openly I shall never do anything to you” (Mahfouz, Half a Day).To this the Narrator’s father responds that the purpose of this school was not to punish his son, but the purpose of the school is to make children into men. The father also asks the narrator doesn’t he want to be like his father and brothers. This is the first time that the idea of education turning children into men throughout the story “Half a Day”. The narrator goes into this walk to school with doubt in his mind stating “I was not convinced. I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from the intimacy of my home and throwing me into this building that stood at the end of the road like some huge, high-walled fortress, exceedingly stern and grim” (Mahfouz, Half a Day). The first immediate impression is that the Narrator doesn’t like the idea of going to school and being changed into a man. An intriguing section of the story reveals how that school could prepare the Narrator and the other individuals in the most unlikely way possible. “As our path revealed itself to us however we did not find it as totally sweet and unclouded as we had presumed.

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Against School By John Taylor Gatto Against School

    803 Words  | 2 Pages

    As American’s we place a high level of importance on attending school and receiving a certain level of education. Across the world, the recommendations for attending school vastly differ based on the culture of the society. In America, we require our children to attend school until they are almost of legal age, push high school graduates to attend college and we constantly emphasize structured learning. Many children in today’s world lack many skills that would allow them to “teach” themselves outside of school leading to an increased interest in televisions, computers, and phones. Technology has taken away society’s attention away from independent learning such as reading, writing, and outside experiences. John Taylor Gatto’s emotional voice in his writing “Against School” has allowed me reveal my psychological voice regarding the educational system.

    Read More

  • The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara

    731 Words  | 2 Pages

    The major theme of the story was creating awareness in adolescents about what life has to offer. The nature of human beings of accepting the realities of life to such an extent that apathy and lethargy sets in, is what proves to be destructive for the social fabric of today’s world. In this stagnation, Mrs. Moore provides the impetus required for people to realize their god given right to something better. We are told that Mrs. Moore has a college degree, is well dressed most of the times, and has a good command on her language. She seems to be a kind of a person who has seen the world. She has experienced life, and wants to use that experience in providing the children with an opportunity to broaden their horizons. This opportunity that she strives to provide is opening their eyes to the true nature of life and not by giving them money and bombarding their psyche with moralistic attitudes.

    Read More

  • On the subject of education, how are Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” and Malcolm X’s “Learning to Read” simil...

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    “If we are thinking about effect of education – or the lack of it – on our nature, there is another comparison we can make”(The Allegory of the Cave by Plato 1). Plato was a philosopher in Classical Greece; he was fighting for freedom and education. Malcolm X was an African-American Muslim who was fighting for human rights. They both had a vision of freedom and education. We have two stories; one is “The Allegory of the Cave” and “Learning to Read”. Education is a very useful thing that can open our eyes to many things, and we should know how we need to develop properly. Why do we have to compare these two stories? Can we conclude some very important things after reviewing? In this stories we can find two different ways how to study, even though stories have some same ideas, they are different. I have several reasons why they are different and how are they similar.

    Read More

  • Charles By Shirley Jackson Foreshadowing

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    This story takes place in the distant future in 2157. Schools were closed down centuries ago, and now each child is being educated separately by a robot. Margie, a ten-year-old girl, hates being taught this way. Tommy, her neighbor, discovers a book about how school was in the old days and shows it to Margie. While reading the book, Margie is astonished of how different and unusual school was. Margie wishes she could go to this regular school. She dreams of sitting in a classroom with many other kids, having a human as a teacher, and having many friends. Since Margie hates being educated by a robot, and she is angry with the society she lives in for forcing her to do it the conflict is character vs. society. Margie regularly displays hatred to the robot-teacher. For example, while the county inspector visits her house to fix the broken teacher, Margie secretly hopes that he will permanently break it so that it would be taken away. As it states in the text, “Margie had hoped he wouldn’t know how to put it together again…” Margie hates every aspect of having a “black and ugly” robot teacher. She loathes the tests, the screen where all the lessons and questions were shown, and the slot where she put all the homework and test papers. This conflict against society is important in this short story because it strengthens the theme message. Since Margie hates being educated by a robot

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Reading Habits In The Glass Castle

    1284 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fulfilling the basic physical needs for children is not the only part to raise the outstanding person anymore. Establishing good habits and behaviors has more influence on children’s future developments. In spite of not having steady and nutritious meals, children with proper education still can evolve their interests and become an expert in that field. In the Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls, the Walls are always moving, running out of food and money because their parents did not have stable jobs. However, the parents love their children and always encourage them. They also believed in the importance of education. Even with a rough childhood, the author, Jeannette still achieved her dream job to become a correspondent and a writer.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Against School By John Taylor Taatto

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gatto argues that the staying in the American schooling system for so long has supplied him with every reason to refer to it as a childish and “ 'a disablement '” program for students. He supposes that he can bring out the best qualities in children by giving them the autonomy to make decisions and manage themselves, rather than confining them to school. According to Gatto, people may see the key problem of schooling as boredom. To clarify his point, Gatto believes having an education in school is considered as “a daily routine in a factory of childishness in order to make sure not one of them ever really grow up”.

    Read More

  • Meeting Criticism In Charles Baldwin's A Talk To Teachers

    1537 Words  | 4 Pages

    Education is one of the most widely debated issues of our country in this current day and age. Many people feel as though some schooling is biased and unfair to certain students; meanwhile, others feel as though the schooling systems are not set up serious enough in order to properly educate students to prepare them for their futures. The three texts that will be discussed, are all well written controversial essays that use a great deal of rhetorical appeals which help readers relate to the topics being discussed. In the essay “School,” Mori manages to specify her views on how different modern education is in America as in Japan; meanwhile, in “A Talk to Teachers,” Baldwin presents his argument as to how all children,

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Education In Whitman's Suli Breaks Words

    1753 Words  | 4 Pages

    “All I’m saying is that if there was a family tree, hard work and education would be related but school would probably be a distant cousin.” (Breaks) Spoken word poetry has become quite the phenomenon within the past few years, and it’s clear why. In Suli Breaks words, he explains the issue that falls within societies understanding of education. You see, for many people, the concept of learning lies trapped inside the walls of a building that we attend for twelve years, sometimes twenty or more, and that is the end of it. Yet this radical notion is far from the actual truth. In school we learn many things out of textbooks and from instructors that lecture about equations and literary devices, yet most of the time there is a severe lack of

    Read More

  • Summary Of Against School By John Taylor Gatto

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Taylor Gatto in his essay “Against School” explains the lack of motivation that students have to the educational system of the USA. He also explains the damage that the system makes to both, students and teachers, by the non-interesting topics they are taught in class. Furthermore, he enlightens the indifference of students towards the teacher, seem as incompetent and unprepared. In addition, he also highlights the dark side of the school system which intends to brainwash and rescind the ideas from students. He addresses a main goal of the educational system; convert juveniles into the next docile and manageable generation. Wherefore, he proposes an educational system that should be structured and not controlled. In addition, he demonstrates

    Read More

  • My Philosophy: My Personal Philosophy Of Education

    1821 Words  | 4 Pages

    What is the purpose of education? A question that has been asked for centuries and defined in many ways; each theorist will argue their views on education is unsurpassed, yet it remains a question, that the future of our children depends upon. My personal philosophy of education is to create an environment that allows every child the freedom and ability to discover, create and pursue their interests; ultimately becoming the best they can, for an evolving and unpredictable future. Within this framework, the purpose being to encourage learning through children’s interests, by personalising education for the individual and interlacing subjects to engage and entice learning. While discussing my personal philosophy of education, I will explain the aim of education, consider the role of the teacher and the learner and present effective teaching methods and practices for within the classroom. This essay will demonstrate that Dewey, Friedman, Neill, Noddings, Robinson, and Zhao, support my personal philosophy and prove in contrast with the theories of Skinner and Rousseau.

    Read More

  • Ethnography of the Maasai

    926 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ented his father, for sending him to school,ended up enjoying learning so much that he wished to pursue higher education after completing the eighth grade. When Tepilit asks for his father’s permission to further his education his father tell him that while school is a good thing he does not want Tepilit to be away for so long as to forget the ways of the Maasai.

    Read More

  • Parental Involvement In Education Essay

    1267 Words  | 3 Pages

    Education is a form of learning that is necessary for the development of one’s personality, identity, physical and intellectual capabilities. Education also provides to the growth of a person through the enhancement of social and professional integration. Education can improve a person’s quality of life. Underprivileged adults and children have a chance to escape poverty. “It is a tool for the economic, social and cultural development of all population around the world. Education is a human right and should be accessible to everyone without discrimination. All children should be awarded the same opportunities to be able to build a future for themselves. Therefore they must and should be able to go to school. Each child have the right to benefit from a quality education that fits their needs.”(Humanium 2016).

    Read More

  • My College Scholarship

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, education is an integral part of one’s life. It aids in the growth and development of a human entity. One prime example of this is that we become dependent upon education to gain experience in one’s life. Education is also the source for one to be able to make their dream a reality. A popular literary source, Plato’s Cave, the narrator made the reader aware that education aids one in escaping the cave of ignorance. I am no longer a slave to the cave in that I have relied upon education as the source of freedom. Additionally, it is necessary to accept the view that education is the source for achieving the ultimate goal-our dream becoming whomever we have sought to become just as we dreamt in our adolescence.

    Read More

  • Education as a Social Institution

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    Education is a vital part of society. It serves the beneficial purpose of educating our children and getting them ready to be productive adults in today's society. But, the social institution of education is not without its problems. Continual efforts to modify and improve the system need to be made, if we are to reap the highest benefits that education has to offer to our children and our society as a whole.

    Read More

  • Education Reflection Paper

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    Education is man’s most valuable possession: it is the concept through which one’s love for learning stems, and the equipment used to pave an individual’s path to success. Although easily influenced by the opinions of others, education is one of the few concepts that neither internal nor external stress can strip from our being. The future of our society lies in the hands of our educators; the values and morals instilled by such figures govern the actions of the earth’s people.

    Read More

More about Analysis Of Half A Day By Naguib Mahfouz

Open Document