3 ways how English literature classes kill the love of reading for men

[Southernman1]

1.The stories are boring

Shakespeare, The Death of a Salesman, To Kill a Mocking Bird. Boring, boring and, more boring. If your having people read books at least make the books interesting. For example, I read the book the Legend of Bass Reeves and, I loved that book. It had guns , horse chases, and the story line revolved around a black deputy in Oklahoma in early 1800's. Most importantly the story was based on non-fiction. If you trying to teach slavery is wrong I would recommend that book over To Kill a Mocking Bird. That book is a pity party book with the oppressed ending in defeat, but in Bass Reeves the oppressed ending in victory. With books like Hamlet and, Romeo and, Juliet made me face palm. Most characters would evade death in Shakespeare plays by simply thinking logically. Plus Romeo and Juliet was too much of chick flick material. You catch rather quickly on that everyone always dies in the end of Shakespeare plays. The ending already spoiled so why read the book ?

2. The stories are Fictional

Few things will remove interest in reading faster in a young boys mind that reading fiction. I hate learning things I will never use. You can hand all the fantasy and love stories to the girls. I don't mind reading excerpts from the Encyclopedia or any Book of World records as that is real events. I don't mind reading about history, no matter how gory it may be. I like action, adventure , espionage, machines, and, military strategy. These are all found in history that isn't watered down. Incorporate these things into literature classes and, I might care a little more about books.

3. Students opinions in literature classes don't matter

In literature class your expected to be a drone whose opinions can't be different from what the teacher wants. I was often given homework over the chapters of the book we read in classes. I think of things very differently from others and ,my answers on the homework where often wrong. If I was the slightest bit off what the teacher wanted ,I would get my answers marked wrong. What that tells me is "I don't care about how you think ,or your opinions". "You must comprehend the book the exact way I want you to or fail ". I passed the classes in the end ,but with great resentment to reading in general.

[Anonymous]

Not just men, I remember girls falling asleep as well. You hit the nail on the head especially with #3. And its not so much the teacher's opinion as the "Standardized Test's" opinion. There is a scene in the movie Back to School where an English professor says to the main character "I don't know who you got to write your report but the don't know Kurt Vonnegut." In the next scene he makes a call "Tell Kurt Vonnegut he's fired!"

Funny but true. Over the years they have overanalyzed works of fiction to the point where even what the author thinks doesn't matter. Ever wonder why you never read anything from LIVING authors in school? Living authors can and do set people straight about their works.

[Southernman1]

I found you opinion interesting. I enjoyed reading it. :)

[Anonymous]

You are correct.

Though I like some fictional stories. Not as much anymore though. Feels like waste of time.

[Southernman1]

Yes, I know that feeling.

[blue_sun]

... I like a lot of fictional stories.

[Southernman1]

There is no problem with that as sci-fi is a popular gene. I just dont think fiction has a place in the education system.

[blue_sun]

Honestly, I'd like to see more Sci-Fi and Fantasy in the education system. It's all realistic fiction, which is my least favorite genre.

Some of the greatest literature ever was Sci-Fi, like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea.

[Southernman1]

I should start a petition.