Crow Lake – Education Essay Example

their formal education.

Catherine's father, Robert, achieved fame as a mathematician at the young age of 25. Unfortunately, he later experienced mental illness. Nevertheless, his reputation within the mathematical community remained strong and he was still seen as a symbol of achievement. Hal, one of his students, greatly admired him and considered him to be the greatest mathematician for his groundbreaking contributions to the field before turning twenty-two.

The text exemplifies the potential of a formal education in paving the way for a prosperous career, even in fields unrelated to mathematics. Claire, Catherine's older sister and the play's most accomplished character, serves as an illustration. By acquiring a University degree, Claire secured employment that allowed her to relocate to New York and embark on a new life with her fiancee, Mitch (Auburn 26). Both Robert and Claire demonstrate how attaining a formal education unlocks opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.

The significance of informal education is exemplified in the lives of the characters in both Crow Lake and Proof, as they navigate their dysfunctional families and learn valuable lessons from those experiences. In the novel Crow Lake, Kate's early and formative memories revolve around spending time by the pond with her older brother, Matt. Matt unintentionally became the influential figure who would shape Kate's future.

There is no image of my childhood that I carry with me more clearly than that of a fair-haired and lanky boy of fifteen or sixteen, beside whom stood a little girl. He was showing her things and telling her about them (Lawson 4-5). This boy, named Matt, played a significant role in fostering her passion for biology

and igniting her dream to become a biologist. In addition to Kate, Luke, the oldest child in the Morrison family, had to take on the responsibilities of a "mother" for his younger siblings due to their family's circumstances. Despite the challenges, Luke became the legal guardian of Kate, Bo, and Matt, sacrificing his own opportunity for higher education in order to keep them all together.

Luke learns the importance of communication and takes on the role of a parent, caring for the children in the house. Despite never having held Bo before their parents' death, he cooks, cleans, and cares for them. These events, from the death of his parents to raising Bo, had a profound impact on shaping Luke's character and his ultimate outcome (Lawson).

Now he is living happily, possibly even happier than anyone else because he never desired to become a teacher from the beginning. Similarly, in Proof, most of Catherine's accomplishments can be credited to the informal education she received from her father. Despite barely attending University, Catherine herself attributes her mathematical expertise to the extensive time spent at home under Robert's influence.

Catherine declares, "I'm a mathematician too... he's the only one who could have done this?" Hal responds, "I apologize Catherine, but you only took a few classes at Northwestern for a few months." Catherine asserts, "My education wasn't at Northwestern's. It was living in this house for twenty-five years."

Despite her limited formal education, Catherine was able to write the proof thanks to her extensive informal education. This education was not only provided by her father but also fueled by her own determination to learn

more. Catherine achieved this with the aid of numerous books, which enabled her to master new and innovative techniques that even Hal doubted Robert could have mastered. Ultimately, Catherine's ability to receive credit for her work undoubtedly led to a more successful life compared to her previous circumstances.

Both Crow Lake and Proof demonstrate the significant role of informal education in the characters' success. Traditional education is essential for a bright future, as depicted by the characters' appreciation for it and their ability to adapt to life's challenges. The characters in both texts also gather valuable lessons from dealing with dysfunctional families, experiences that go beyond classroom education.