The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Tolkien Template - Carrying on the torch of mythology and folklore

Child of the 7th Age · 11-12-2002, 03:52 PM

Littlemanpoet,

I do indeed believe that there are young writers out there who are wonderfully gifted with words and who have a deep feeling for fantasy. And you are probably right in saying that adjectives like quirky, eccentric, and erudite can be applied to them.

Yet I would still argue that Shippey has made a very valid point. The vast majority of young people no longer take classes in history, mythology, and classical/medieval texts. In the late 1970s, I was in college and, like many others, took a strong and rebellious stand hoping to abolish required humanities courses in the curriculum. Unfortunately, in school after school, we succeeded.

I could cite statistics and polls that would make your hair stand on end as to our deficiencies in the humanities. The home schoolers are a tiny but vibrant group. Yet, for various reasons,--economic, social, intellectual--homeschooling will never be a mass movement. Most children have to rely on institutions for their education, and these institutions have been sorely lacking. The young people themselves are not at fault. They are not responsible for our system of education or our funding priorities.

Perhaps, I'm going to come off sounding like an ancient grouch who runs around yelling "It was better in my day!" Yet there is some truth in that! In the days of yore when I went to college every student was required to take at least a basic course in Western Civilization and in World Literature. It is a very rare school that still has such requirements. The days of a liberal arts education are gone.

You are indeed lucky to be working with young people who have some background in history and myth. But also believe me when I tell you, that this type of background is rare. Yes, there are a fortunate few who come to the humanities via home schooling or their own curiosity. Yet many institutions of education do so very little to help these students. Shame on them!

So I think Shippey has some reason to say that the Tolkiens and Whites, with their amazing grounding in history and myth and ancient literature, are becoming harder to find.

sharon

[ November 12, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

11-12-2002, 03:52 PM	#12
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Littlemanpoet, I do indeed believe that there are young writers out there who are wonderfully gifted with words and who have a deep feeling for fantasy. And you are probably right in saying that adjectives like quirky, eccentric, and erudite can be applied to them. Yet I would still argue that Shippey has made a very valid point. The vast majority of young people no longer take classes in history, mythology, and classical/medieval texts. In the late 1970s, I was in college and, like many others, took a strong and rebellious stand hoping to abolish required humanities courses in the curriculum. Unfortunately, in school after school, we succeeded. I could cite statistics and polls that would make your hair stand on end as to our deficiencies in the humanities. The home schoolers are a tiny but vibrant group. Yet, for various reasons,--economic, social, intellectual--homeschooling will never be a mass movement. Most children have to rely on institutions for their education, and these institutions have been sorely lacking. The young people themselves are not at fault. They are not responsible for our system of education or our funding priorities. Perhaps, I'm going to come off sounding like an ancient grouch who runs around yelling "It was better in my day!" Yet there is some truth in that! In the days of yore when I went to college every student was required to take at least a basic course in Western Civilization and in World Literature. It is a very rare school that still has such requirements. The days of a liberal arts education are gone. You are indeed lucky to be working with young people who have some background in history and myth. But also believe me when I tell you, that this type of background is rare. Yes, there are a fortunate few who come to the humanities via home schooling or their own curiosity. Yet many institutions of education do so very little to help these students. Shame on them! So I think Shippey has some reason to say that the Tolkiens and Whites, with their amazing grounding in history and myth and ancient literature, are becoming harder to find. sharon [ November 12, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.