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Christopher Graff's Literary Analysis

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As a middle-class Jew growing up in an ethnically mixed chicago neighborhood, he was already in danger of being beaten up. Becoming deeply involved in books would only make matters worse for him. Graff had a hard time “relating” to the books his father would try to get him read. He did not really see the meaning behind it. It was also inferred that he would have to go to college and buckle down, which meant premed, prelaw, or major and business. None of those options interested him so he defaulted into the unconventional territory of liberal arts and majored in English. All through college reading seemed painfully difficult and alien to Graff, all the “great book” that he supposedly could “connected” with failed to do so. It was not until …show more content…

I tend to feel that books just drag on and eventually I find myself mindlessly reading just because I am “supposed to”. Although I was not brought up in Graff’s childhood circumstances I can see where he is coming from. He wanted to fit in and not be made fun off. Nowadays, I can not see anyone getting beat up for liking literature or being passionate about what they like doing. I respect Graff for not succumbing to the pressure of his family and studying something he did not enjoy just to satisfy his family. Even though he kind of fell into liberal arts he did not chose something he does not enjoy doing. In my case this is not a problem, I am not pressured by my parents to be something I do not want to be. Although, they do push me to excel and reach my full potential so that I can do what I enjoy doing when I am older. Regarding literature I am still waiting for my big moment where I might find reading exciting, I am waiting for a “Huckleberry Finn” eye opening moment. I think that Graffs statement, “choosing a topic that interests you or making and effective argument depends on having a sense of what other people are saying” (Graff 48) is true and false. I think that a person should read and interpret literature on their own, and formulate their personal perspectives. Additionally, a person should share their viewpoint or argument with others to build stronger connections. Other people can influence you to look deeper and see things you might have missed in a reading. But I think it is essential for people to start on their own, no matter how intimidating or boring a piece of literature might be. They can lay the groundwork for themselves and be able to build off their ideas with other people's inputs. I also agree with the fact that students will enjoy reading more if they are given a piece that interests them and have a great teacher that can provide input along they way. Having a great teacher is

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