Other people's children went off to college, which for…
““Other people's children went off to college, which for years Ronald had interpreted as a positive thing. Lately, though, he wasn't so sure. The children who went off to college hardly ever came back. It was as though the hard work of getting that college degree bent them out of shape, focused them too much on their own personal achievement. Once you got that degree, it was all about getting ahead in that monetized struggle, and they forgot the community that raised them. Ooh, live in the Lower Nine; not me. Ooh, do a day's work with your hands; I won't touch that. The neighborhood gained something when one of its children went off to become a doctor or an engineer, but it lost something, too.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Higher education can distance individuals from their community, turning personal success into isolation and neglect of communal roots.
In simple terms: College can separate people from their community.
Key Takeaway
Balance personal achievement with community involvement.
Themes
education
community
success
identity
social responsibility
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
sociological
observational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- family discussions
- community projects
- mentorship programs
Key Concepts
social mobility
collective identity
economic pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- How can graduates stay connected to their hometowns?
- What community roles can educated individuals fill?
A Different Perspective
Not all graduates abandon their roots; many give back.