Oh, right. Because studies say that a child (or adolescent in this case) not reading over the summer is approximately equivalent to missing two months of school. To keep this from happening, our teachers have decided to ensure that we read books over the summer, by making the accompanying assignments due within the first week-and-a-half of school.
But wait, what if we actually read on our own over the summer? What if we would actually get around to reading those books that English teachers find so vital to our enrichment on our own accord? Unthinkable, right? Not so. This summer, I've been assigned to read a children's version of The Odyssey, the actual text of The Odyssey, and a modern adaptation of The Odyssey, then we have to watch a movie which depicts the archetypal journey of Odysseus in a more modern story. While reading these texts (and watching films), we are supposed to look for common elements throughout the books.
That's all fine and dandy, but you know what? I don't find it necessary for these books to be shoved down my throat during my time off from school. I planned to read The Odyssey soon anyway, and when I caught word of the supposedly great literary achievement that Ulysses is (I don't know; I haven't read it yet), I would definitely have read that too.
See, I like (classical) literature, when I feel like it. However, this forced reading ruins it for me. I'm not an avid reader, but I will read casually (as in, on my own schedule). Having an assignment due in a few weeks doesn't allow me to read novels comfortably, as I like to savor the novel, and read it at my leisure. Not allowed here, due to the frenetic pace at which we need to read these books to stay on top of our assignments.
When I feel like I'm done reading, I want to be done reading. Impossible with the looming feeling of a deadline for three books to be read by. I feel like reading a chapter (or "book" in this case) and going off to do something else. Yet, I have to truck on to feel at ease with the due dates in a few weeks.
It's not like I waste my time doing stupid things. I love a good story. It's a very big reason why I play video games. It's a very big reason why I watch movies. It's a very big reason I like watching television. It's my summer vacation, which according to dictionary.com is "a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday."
So English teachers, I have two questions for you:
- Why must our literary enrichment be dictated by you?
- You majored in English, or Language Arts, or whatever you'd like to call it. Why, then, do you seem unable to understand what the "vacation" part of "summer vacation" means?
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