--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I went to college - when I read…" description: "\"When I went to college - when I read Shakespeare or Dickens or Scott - I just felt that, as a citizen of England, a British citizen, this was as much m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/derek-walcott-2220_books_when-i-went-to-college-when-i-read-shake_1825314.jpg" --- # When I went to college - when I read Shakespeare or… ![“When I went to college - when I read Shakespeare or Dickens or Scott - I just felt that, as a citizen of England, a British citizen, this was as much my heritage as any schoolboy's. That is one of the things the Empire taught, that apart from citizenship, the synonymous inheritance of the…” quote by Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/derek-walcott-2220_books_when-i-went-to-college-when-i-read-shake_1825314.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/derek-walcott-2220_books_when-i-went-to-college-when-i-read-shake_1825314.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/derek-walcott-2220_books_when-i-went-to-college-when-i-read-shake_1825314.jpg) > “When I went to college - when I read Shakespeare or Dickens or Scott - I just felt that, as a citizen of England, a British citizen, this was as much my heritage as any schoolboy's. That is one of the things the Empire taught, that apart from citizenship, the synonymous inheritance of the citizenship was the literature.” [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing classic literature as a shared cultural heritage that shapes national identity. **In simple terms:** Literature connects citizens to their cultural roots. Key Takeaway Value and study classic works to understand your heritage. Themes heritage identity literature citizenship Mood reflective proud Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - education - personal reflection - public speaking - curriculum design Key Concepts cultural transmission national identity colonial legacy Questions to Reflect On - How does literature shape personal identity? - What other texts could broaden this heritage? A Different Perspective May overlook diverse perspectives beyond British canon. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heritage/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a British citizen, and I'm incredibly proud to represent Great Britain. 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O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Our times demand the declaration of the world's resources as the common heritage of all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/our-times-demand-the-declaration-of-the-world-s-resources-as-the/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) ## More by Derek Walcott > [Memory that yearns to join the centre, a limb remembering the body from which it has been severed, like those bamboo thighs of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-walcott/memory-that-yearns-to-join-the-centre-a-limb-remembering-the-body/) [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) > [Peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-walcott/peel-your-own-image-from-the-mirror-sit-feast-on-your-life/) [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) > [I don't feel I've arrived home until I get on the beach. 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