I Know we are not Caged Birds (Option Five)

In her essay "I know why the Caged Bird Cannot Read," Francine Prose- very passionately- argues that the American high school English curriculum ruins literature by discussing social issues present in works instead of sticking to rhetorical analysis. According to Prose, this 'simplistic' approach to works of literature cages high schoolers, their writing abilities, and their love for English.

Well I am here to argue that Prose's method of only discussing writing techniques, along with her refusal to connect works to the larger world, is what would create the real cage.

Authors love allusions. The books that are widely read across American high school English classes are chalk full of them. The Great American Novel, The Great Gatsby, never specifically says the words 'classism' or 'the American dream,' but those are exactly the topics the book is about. To only talk about Fitzgerald's use of parallel structure or symbolism while reading the book is like only looking at exhibit signs when going to the zoo. Yes, you might've gone much further into depth on marsupials than you would've if you were just looking around. But you sort of missed the main attraction.

Allegorical works like Animal Farm- which represents the Cold War- and The Crucible- which represents the Red Scare- are a prime example of a fault in Prose's argument. Both works are widely read in schools across the country, and both works never mention the events they represent. To only focus on rhetorical devices when reading pieces like this undermines the purpose of the writings, which is to show faults in systems/events through other objects.

Finally, Prose is wrong because connecting to social issues is what makes students care about literature. Most students can't fully relate to a heartsick 20s millionaire or a lady who survived segregation and sexual assault. But they can relate to wanting a bright future, or to people being discriminated against because of their race or gender. By refusing to connect books to the larger world, Prose puts their message in a cage that only extends as far as their literal words.