Mike Rose I Just Wanna Be Average Review

1124 Words5 Pages
Michel Dean Mahler Chris Ellen Lamb English 111-08 Better Than Average Rough Draft 1/20/2012 Better Than Average “I Just Wanna Be Average” by Mike Rose is the story of every man. It is the story that teaches us all an important lesson…low expectations often produce poor results. The story inspires each of us to strive to see not who you are, but who you have the potential to become in spite of (rather than because of) our circumstances. But in order for this to happen, you must be willing to reach beyond your environment. The story addresses a variety of social and economic issues. Rose comes from an economically challenged family that seems to have sacrificed to send their son to a Catholic school, hoping for a better education. Unfortunately, Mike is academically misplaced when someone else’s I.Q. test results are confused with his own. The school setting lacks teachers who are unable to command the interest and commitment of their students. In turn, the students lack attention and respect for their teachers. This is the perfect recipe for “complacent soup” that produces about as much fervor for learning in students as boiled potato water produces flavor. It is not until an unlikely English teacher grabs Rose’s attention that things begin to turn around for young Mike. Enter: Jack MacFarland, who Rose describes as “a beatnik who was born too late. His teeth were stained, he tucked his sorry tie in between the third and fourth buttons of his shirt and his pants were chronically wrinkled.” (Rose, 27) However, the English students at Our Lady of Mercy High soon learned that first impressions can be misleading. MacFarland’s passion for contemplating the works of great literature was only matched by his intent to spark a desire for something greater, even grander in his students than they were. Had it not been for the influence of MacFarland Rose may have

More about Mike Rose I Just Wanna Be Average Review

Open Document