English as she is Taught
"English as She is Taught" by Mark Twain is a satirical examination of the educational system, particularly focusing on the absurdities found in students' responses to various subjects. The work compiles genuine, humorous, and often nonsensical answers given by schoolchildren in their recitations, highlighting the disconnect between what is taught and what is understood. Twain categorizes the content into fifteen subjects, including grammar, geography, and mathematics, showcasing the children's misunderstandings and misinterpretations of words and concepts. The text serves as a critique of the educational practices of the time, illustrating how students are often overwhelmed by material that exceeds their comprehension, leading to comical and misguided definitions and explanations.
By Mark Twain · First published 1885 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Non-fiction · 4,926 words
First lines
In the appendix to Croker's Boswell's Johnson one finds this anecdote:
_Cato's Soliloquy_. -One day Mrs. Gastrel set a little girl to repeat to him (Dr. Samuel Johnson) Cato's Soliloquy, which she went through very correctly. The Doctor, after a pause, asked the child:
What this Textopian page supports
English as she is Taught is listed on Textopian as an essay by Mark Twain, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Mark Twain
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Non-fiction, Essay, Literary Criticism
- Length: 4,926 words
- Structure: 1 section, 216 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for English as she is Taught by Mark Twain
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering English as she is Taught?
- How does this essay by Mark Twain fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The book humorously critiques the education system and the absurdities of how English is taught.
- Humor — The content is filled with amusing misinterpretations and definitions provided by students, showcasing Twain's comedic style.
- Non-fiction — The work presents real examples from students' responses, reflecting on educational practices.
- Essay — The book is structured as a series of observations and reflections on language and education.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Language · Cultural Criticism · Humor · Irony · Sarcasm · Education · Pedagogy · Etymology · Linguistics · Philology