---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only moderately ordinary children should…"
description: "\"“Only moderately ordinary children should be sent to school--so it seems to me.' 'I'm inclined to think just the opposite. I think it would probably ma..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_children_only-moderately-ordinary-children-should_1468542.jpg"
---

#  Only moderately ordinary children should be sent to…

![“Only moderately ordinary children should be sent to school--so it seems to me.' 'I'm inclined to think just the opposite. I think it would probably make her more normal if she went away and mixed with other children.' 'She wouldn't mix, you see. You never really mixed, did you? And she wouldn't be…” quote by D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_children_only-moderately-ordinary-children-should_1468542.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_children_only-moderately-ordinary-children-should_1468542.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_children_only-moderately-ordinary-children-should_1468542.jpg)

> ““Only moderately ordinary children should be sent to school--so it seems to me.' 'I'm inclined to think just the opposite. I think it would probably make her more normal if she went away and mixed with other children.' 'She wouldn't mix, you see. You never really mixed, did you? And she wouldn't be willing even to pretend to. She's proud, and solitary, and naturally apart. If she has a single nature, why do you want to make her gregarious?' 'No, I don't want to make her anything. But I think school would be good for her.' 'Was it good for you?' Gerald's eyes narrowed uglily. School had been torture to him. Yet he had not questioned whether one should go through this torture.””

[D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator questions whether school benefits a solitary, proud child, suggesting that forced socialization may be harmful.

**In simple terms:** School may not suit every child's nature.

Key Takeaway

Consider individual needs before imposing conformity.

Themes

education individuality conformity child development

Mood

conflicted thoughtful

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- parenting decisions
- school enrollment
- special education
- social integration

Key Concepts

socialization identity psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance social growth with personal temperament?
- What alternatives to traditional school could support unique personalities?

A Different Perspective

Children may thrive in alternative learning environments; school can be traumatic for some.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/)

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