Public School System, Patriotism in Education System, and American Dream

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America! America! By Sylvia Plath
1 What are Plath’s initial reactions to the public school system?
Education was the gateway to success. Plath believed that through education, she could be anyone she wanted to become in the world. She could be a doctor, an engineer, or anyone she sought to become. The system was perfect to culture people into becoming who they wish to become.
2 What can we assume about patriotism in the education system based on Plath’s experiences in paragraph 3?
At times, patriotism can become foreign and confusing. Plath writes that they “pledged allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, a sort of aerial altarcloth over teacher’s desk.” Like his classmates, Plath did not understand what was happening. Allegiance was foreign to her and it was confusing that she and the rest of the class had to pledge allegiance to something they did not know or even developed enough to believe in.
3 How does Plath’s view of education change as she gets older?
Plath sought to be anybody as the school system had taught her to believe. However, this view slowly changes because she is slowly cultured into normalcy. She quickly forgets her grades and the idea that she could build or become somebody. Her zeal is overtaken with the idea that she is like any other person and this takes away the enthusiasm she initially had.
4 How does conformity emerge as a major theme?
Conformity emerges as the main or major theme once it is forced down on Plath. Plath was set apart. She was different and her grades had shown that she was indeed set for a great future. However, this belief in the system is soon watered down as she is made to assume a normal status. She writes that she “was being tailored to an Okay image.” Her image was too good and fitting for the system. She acknowledges that there are two sides to the dream that the school offered. “The privilege of being anybody was turning its other fa...