Does school literary analysis turn young readers away from books?
I've been rereading classic novels lately, and I'm struck by how differently I react to them now compared to when I was in school. Back then, I had to analyze every symbol and theme, but now I just want to know if the characters feel real and if their struggles resonate. Do you think the way we teach literature in schools—focusing on critical analysis over personal connection—actually turns young readers away from books, or does it give them tools they'll appreciate later? I'm not sure if my own teenage boredom with assigned reading was just typical rebellion or a sign that the approach was flawed.