“I Just Wanna Be Average” is a narrative piece written by Mike Rose who describes the struggle children go through because of the educational system which is rigid. He was one of the students who did not fit in well with the traditional system of education. There were many other intelligent students from the underprivileged social classes and they were supposed to follow the vocational program in high school which would make them unsuitable for further college education.
Moreover, books of classical literature first drew Mike Rose to reading. Mr. McFarland made Mike and other students interested in reading the classical literature such as the Iliad and Hemingway. Mike says: “We learned about Greek philosophy, about Dante, the Elizabethan world view, the Age of Reason, existentialism” (Rose 344). They also copied literary styles of other writers which made them develop their own styles. This was a life-changing experience for Mike Rose because he became aware of his intellectual capabilities and it paved his path in life. Mr. McFarland proved that success in life depends on motivation and on the stimuli the students get from their mentors. He dedicated much of his time in helping Mike ad other students develop themselves as young intellectuals eager to further their studies.
Additionally, Rose makes his narrative piece more than just a story about himself because other students are also affected by the flaws of the educational system which eliminates the members of the underprivileged classes. Everybody should be entitled to have a good education and it depends on the effort of the teachers and on the system of education. Also, the effect of using the word “wanna” in the title is to show that people can express themselves in various ways. “I Just Wanna Be Average” is a sentence which could only be said by a young person who is a social outcast and who wants to fit in.
In conclusion, Mike Rose proves his point that every students deserves to have a good education. Motivated teachers are an essential part of a good educational system and Mr. McFarland is a good example of a great teacher who is capable of changing the life paths of students who are not supposed to go to college or do anything intellectual in their lives. It is essential for every community to have such people to teach students from an early age so that they could be encouraged to express themselves in the best possible way.
Works Cited
Rose, Mike. "I Just Wanna Be Average." Sfsu.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2016. <http://userwww.sfsu.edu/mmartin/rose.pdf>.
