--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...we're in English class, which for most…" description: "\"...we're in English class, which for most of us is an excruciating exercise in staying awake through the great classics of literature. These works-- gr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/libba-bray-259_appreciate_we-re-in-english-class-which-for-most-of_1427830.jpg" --- # ...we're in English class, which for most of us is an… ![“...we're in English class, which for most of us is an excruciating exercise in staying awake through the great classics of literature. These works-- groundbreaking, incendiary, timeless-- have been pureed by the curriculum monsters into a digestible pabulum of themes and factoids we can spew back…” quote by Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/libba-bray-259_appreciate_we-re-in-english-class-which-for-most-of_1427830.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/libba-bray-259_appreciate_we-re-in-english-class-which-for-most-of_1427830.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/libba-bray-259_appreciate_we-re-in-english-class-which-for-most-of_1427830.jpg) > “...we're in English class, which for most of us is an excruciating exercise in staying awake through the great classics of literature. These works-- groundbreaking, incendiary, timeless-- have been pureed by the curriculum monsters into a digestible pabulum of themes and factoids we can spew back on a test. Scoring well on tests is the sort of happy thing that gets the school district the greenbacks they crave. Understanding and appreciating the material are secondary.” [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Education often reduces complex literature to bland facts, prioritizing test scores over genuine understanding. **In simple terms:** Schools simplify classics for exams. Key Takeaway Seek depth beyond curriculum. Themes education literature curriculum authenticity Mood critical thoughtful Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - classroom discussion - self‑study - literary clubs - teaching methods Key Concepts critical theory pedagogy cultural criticism Questions to Reflect On - What can you do to engage more deeply with a classic? - How might you bring personal relevance to studied texts? A Different Perspective Test focus can stifle curiosity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Curriculum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curriculum/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Education reform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education-reform/) [English class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english-class/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Groundbreaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groundbreaking/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monsters/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) [Timeless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/timeless/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [I'd somehow always thought of the classics of literature as something apart from me, something to do with academic life and not something you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/i-d-somehow-always-thought-of-the-classics-of-literature-as-something/) [Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/) > [I am more and more convinced that literature is made up of works, genres, schools, discussions, problems, collective work in order to solve certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-calvino/i-am-more-and-more-convinced-that-literature-is-made-up-of-works/) [Italo Calvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-calvino/) > [So much of the literature we had to read for high school English class was filled with victimized, tragic, symbolic women who spurred the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/so-much-of-the-literature-we-had-to-read-for-high-school-english/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [What Hamlet suffers from is a lack of zombies. Let us say Rosencrantz and Guildenstern show up—Ho-HO! Now you’ve got something that stirs the,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/what-hamlet-suffers-from-is-a-lack-of-zombies-let-us-say-rosencrantz/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [The Italian historian Armando Petrucci has done more than anyone else to revive interest in public writing. His groundbreaking Public Lettering: Script, Power, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-nunberg/the-italian-historian-armando-petrucci-has-done-more-than-anyone-else/) [Geoffrey Nunberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-nunberg/) > [They were and still are a groundbreaking band. Even though they haven't released any new music in ages, you can put on the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/they-were-and-still-are-a-groundbreaking-band-even-though-they-haven/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [Jane Jacobs work wouldnt have been complete if it hadn't inspired others to carry it on, and evolve Jane's groundbreaking accomplishments so that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/majora-carter/jane-jacobs-work-wouldnt-have-been-complete-if-it-hadn-t-inspired/) [Majora Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/majora-carter/) > [I think if you want to be groundbreaking, you have to do something that's never been done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mase/i-think-if-you-want-to-be-groundbreaking-you-have-to-do-something/) [Mase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mase/) > [I have a lot of respect for Jay-Z, Eminem, Ludacris, Cee-Lo. They're groundbreaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eyedea/i-have-a-lot-of-respect-for-jay-z-eminem-ludacris-cee-lo-they-re/) [Eyedea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eyedea/) > [The Lourie Center provides much-needed services for our youngest and most vulnerable children and their families in our region. Their work and groundbreaking research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-duncan/the-lourie-center-provides-much-needed-services-for-our-youngest-and/) Doug Duncan > [ The way people are responding to \[Moonlight movie\] is something we never anticipated. We knew it was good but it is so diverse. The… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/the-way-people-are-responding-to-moonlight-movie-is-something-we/) [Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/) > [We were able to conclude a Paris climate agreement, which will lead the way for the rest of the world, which is groundbreaking. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/we-were-able-to-conclude-a-paris-climate-agreement-which-will-lead/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [“Only a small groundbreaking moment is enough to ignite a torch in the storm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/only-a-small-groundbreaking-moment-is-enough-to-ignite-a-torch-in-the/) sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann > [I can think of no one more relevant and credible in the hip-hop community to build upon Def Jam's fantastic legacy and move the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/i-can-think-of-no-one-more-relevant-and-credible-in-the-hip-hop/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [The first Decline I did was out of sheer love and appreciation for the music. In 1977, it was more about bands, because punk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-spheeris/the-first-decline-i-did-was-out-of-sheer-love-and-appreciation-for/) [Penelope Spheeris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-spheeris/) ## More by Libba Bray > [“I have never felt more ridiculous. If this is what it means to be a woman I am not the slightest bit interested.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-have-never-felt-more-ridiculous-if-this-is-what-it-means-to-be-a/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There are no safe choices. Only other choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-are-no-safe-choices-only-other-choices/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The King of Crows raked his fingers across the dark until it bled. He licked the blood from his fingers with a forked tongue.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-king-of-crows-raked-his-fingers-across-the-dark-until-it-bled-he/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [The trouble with morning is that it comes well before noon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-trouble-with-morning-is-that-it-comes-well-before-noon/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Spare a copper for our cause?" the girl with the coin cup asks, her voice weary. 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Make different choices...But the past cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-are-times-when-i-wish-i-could-go-back-and-change-the-course-of/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Sexuality is not meant to be this way - an honest, consensual expression in which a girl might take an active role when she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/sexuality-is-not-meant-to-be-this-way-an-honest-consensual-expression/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There is no greater power on this earth than story.” Will paced the length of the room. “People think boundaries and borders build nations.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-is-no-greater-power-on-this-earth-than-story-will-paced-the/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [Heaven's brightest and best-loved angel, who was cast out for inspiring a rebellion against God. Having lost Heaven, Lucifer and his rebel angels vowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/heaven-s-brightest-and-best-loved-angel-who-was-cast-out-for/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The light is so bright it hurts my eyes. But I don't dare close them. I won't. Instead, I try to adjust to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-light-is-so-bright-it-hurts-my-eyes-but-i-don-t-dare-close-them-i/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Miss Moore speaks slowly, deliberately. "I know because I read." She pulls back and stands, hands on hips, offering us a challenge. "May I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/miss-moore-speaks-slowly-deliberately-i-know-because-i-read-she-pulls/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Duff's little moans traveled up her spine, made her head buzz. And another thought grabbed hold: She was doing this. She had the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/duff-s-little-moans-traveled-up-her-spine-made-her-head-buzz-and/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) [Explore all 774 Libba Bray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) ## More Appreciate quotes > [All I hear is the people that appreciate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-hardy/all-i-hear-is-the-people-that-appreciate-me/) [Greg Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-hardy/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Time is really gold,spent it wisely with the people around you.Spread love,appreciate the beauty around you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jglargosta/time-is-really-gold-spent-it-wisely-with-the-people-around-you-spread/) [Jglargosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jglargosta/) > [Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-there-are-three-classes-of-intellects-one-which-comprehends/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Eventually the consumer will come to appreciate the editorial point of view of every different brand. User-generated content without editorial oversight will simply be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eisner/eventually-the-consumer-will-come-to-appreciate-the-editorial-point/) [Michael Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eisner/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) J. Willard Gibbs > [This time, there were no drugs involved. The hours were completely normal daytime hours. I think we were able to appreciate the interplay, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-buckingham/this-time-there-were-no-drugs-involved-the-hours-were-completely/) [Lindsey Buckingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-buckingham/) > [I would like beautiful gymnastics to be recognized as the best. I want the judges to appreciate things that are not necessarily winning points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kohei-uchimura/i-would-like-beautiful-gymnastics-to-be-recognized-as-the-best-i-want/) [Kohei Uchimura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kohei-uchimura/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [It's great at this stage in my life to still be in the running, that people appreciate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/it-s-great-at-this-stage-in-my-life-to-still-be-in-the-running-that/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Love is too wonderful for us but why we often times do not ever appreciate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamad-idrus/love-is-too-wonderful-for-us-but-why-we-often-times-do-not-ever/) [Mohamad Idrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamad-idrus/) > [I think the most important thing is to stay hopeful, to believe wonderful things are possible and do your best. Basically, to not give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-a-hoffman/i-think-the-most-important-thing-is-to-stay-hopeful-to-believe/) [Irena A. Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-a-hoffman/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) Browse all 3,873 Appreciate quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "...we're in English class, which for most of us is an excruciating exercise in staying awake through the great classics of literature. These works-- groundbreaking, incendiary, timeless-- have been pureed by the curriculum monsters into a digestible pabulum of themes and factoids we can spew back on a test. Scoring well on tests is the sort of happy thing that gets the school district the greenbacks they crave. 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