Mike Rose

Recently we read a chapter out of Lives on the Boundary, by Mike Rose. The title of the chapter was “I Just Wanna Be Average.” I really enjoyed reading this chapter; I plan on finishing the book shortly. I thought the way rose talked about his childhood allowed you to connect closely with him. He didn’t shy away from his past but rather embraced it as an essential piece of who he is today. I think most people, especially students, can relate to how he describes his high school experience. A lot of kids have trouble with certain fundamental subjects such as algebra and grammar. Sometimes though, all it takes is that one special teacher to get to you. In Rose’ case it was Jack MacFarland. Rose says “Jack MacFarland couldn’t have come into my life at a better time. My father was dead, and I had logged up too many years of scholastic indifference.” I agree that most kids, especially in today’s culture, develop indifference for school. I know as a student in high school it was easy place school on the shelf behind sports, girls and life in general. It didn’t hold a high priority in my life. Perhaps that’s why I took such an interest when reading this chapter. It was different than reading Dorothy Allison because I felt like I was simply traveling in her pocket as she showed me her life. With Rose, I could place parts of his story and match them with my own experiences. I really enjoyed reading Mike Rose and hope I run into his literature again.