History class Quote by Virginia Euwer Wolff
““While I fold laundry I memorize things for school, dates of wars: French ones, African ones, Russian ones, battles of all ugly kinds. It's a shame to have us hopeful young students learn these horrible things. Exactly the kind of behaving they have told us over and over again not to do is what the history class is full of, full-grown adults making these wars: killing each other for land, for religions, for greed and more greed, Why bother to have children and educate them and invent things to make their lives better, just to send them off to war and get slaughtered?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Year of the Book, 1995 by Virginia Euwer Wolff
The narrator questions the purpose of educating youth when history shows repeated cycles of war and destruction.
In simple terms: Why teach children if they may die in wars?
Key Takeaway
Consider education’s role in preventing conflict.
Themes
education
war
history
hope
Mood
critical
somber
Type
social commentary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- curriculum design
- peace studies
- parental guidance
- policy making
Key Concepts
cyclical violence
ethical purpose of schooling
Questions to Reflect On
- What can education realistically achieve?
- How can we break the cycle of war?
A Different Perspective
Teaching alone may not stop systemic aggression.
![“I'm sure that someday children in schools will study the history of the men [sic] who made war as you study an absurdity. They'll be shocked, just as today we're shocked with cannibalism.” quote by Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/756/golda-meir-5181_absurdity_i-m-sure-that-someday-children-in-school_1217571.jpg)
![“How would it be," she asked them coldly as they left the classroom [Prof Binns, History subject], "if I refused to lend you my notes this year?" "We'd fail our O.W.L.s," said Ron. "If you want that on your conscience, Hermoine..." "Well, you'd deserve it," she snapped. "You don't even try to…” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/973/j-k-rowling-86_hermoine-granger_how-would-it-be-she-asked-them-coldly-as_240624.jpg)
