Discovering Books :: essays research papers

Richard Selzer / Discuss how teaching curbs changes my lifeRichard Wright, in his essay Discovering Books, explains how reading books changed his outlook on life and eventually his life itself. The first book that widened his horizons was an overtly controversial book by H. L. Mencken. I have a story not so dissimilar from his.Coming out of high School, I had in my possession the perspective that I knew everything. So I started, straight off the bat, working in a variety of secondary jobs, which would have lead me to a dead end, for as the good jobs in todays society required college details. So, after working for devil years with a white-collar full of frustration, I decided it was cartridge holder to pee-pee matters into my own ink-stained, carpal tunnel syndrome-stricken hands. I immediately gave my two-weeks witness, and pontificated virtually going to college. Headed along the yellow brick road towards the registration office, I was intercepted by my malevolent manage r, the Ineffable John as he was called by my cub co-workers, and he said unto me, Michael, you dont want to go to college, digest here and you shall have bestowed upon your unworthy head all which you need to know. Here, converge up my coffee cup. With his words remedy echoing in my mind, I wanted to sprint down the hallway, pole-vault over the cubicle prisons, hurdle the water ration cooler, and dive through the double-paned sliding glass doors. This spectacular debunk of athletic ability would have been terrific, but the ball and chain still shackled to my ankles would have slightly hindered my escape.One week after my pre-resignation notice and Johns wise words of discouragement, my managers secretary, Mary, who bonny had a baby earlier that day but wouldnt take unpaid sick leave, approached me and said, Dont listen to John, college is a sure ticket to get out of this galley, otherwise youll end up having a baby and coming to work on the same day because this caller-out doesnt provide maternity leave. A week later I was walking out the double-paned sliding glass doors and into college life.In the counselors office, my counselor advised me towards taking a psychology class, seeing as it is a requirement for an AA degree, and because I did not know what sort of degree I wanted at the point. So, I agreed to take the class. trail Rice was the eccentric instructor of this introduction to the wonderful religion of psychology.