Knowledge Is Bliss, By Cheryl Strayed

Knowledge is Bliss

Cheryl Strayed, at 26 years old, had lost her mother, a baby, the battle on heroin, and her marriage. To become clean, to find purpose in her life, she ventures alone on the Pacific Crest Trail beginning in Mojave, California, hoping to come across the answers to life. When she reaches the Bridge of the Gods in between Oregon and Washington, Strayed has found solace in her ignorance, as noted in her novel, Wild. Strayed concludes that she did not need to “reach with... [her] bare hands anymore” and that it was okay just to see “the fish beneath the surface of the water” (311). However, this idea directly contrasts with the ideas of thinking analytically. The works of Paulo Freire and John Berger argue against the philosophy of Strayed. They feel as though critically thinking is an important aspect in growing knowledge. Without critically thinking and actively looking at the world, people

People, regardless of power status, have the ability to learn from others. However, in the restrictions of the banking concept, the teacher simply gives the information to the student without thought on the student’s end. The idea of the banking concept is similar to Strayed’s idea on living life content with not knowing answers. By simply “depositing” the information that comes into contact with a person, one is not able to actively think and analyze actions and ideas. Without analyzing, knowledge can be hindered. Knowledge comes from learning. While the teacher has the power to “deposit” information into the students, without giving students the chance to analyze, thinking is only contained to what the teacher wants the students to know. By asking questions, students have the ability to learn new things outside of the censorship of authority. With increased learning, comes an increase in