Summary Of The Systematization Of Education By Michel De...

Montaigne On Education: Combatting The System â€Å"Wicked and pernicious system!† exclaims Michel de Montaigne in his seminal essay Of the Education of Children. In this impassioned discourse, Montaigne addresses an expectant mother on how to educate her future child. In a particularly striking passage1, which encapsulates the overall argument of his essay, he warns her by painting a vivid picture of the follies of current educational practices. Through his labyrinthine logic, striking use of imagery, and commanding appeal to great minds of the ancient world, Montaigne crafts an emotionally stirring argument: we must do away with the tyrannical systematization of learning and make education a joyful and liberating process. At the beginning†¦show more content†¦After painting this strongly worded visual and auditory scene, Montaigne continues building his argument against systematized education by citing ancient Roman rhetorician, Quintilian: â€Å"as Quintilian very rightly remarked, this imperious authority brings on dangerous consequences and especially in our manner of punishment.† The â€Å"manner of punishment† Quintilian mentions likely refers to the capital punishment ancient Roman empire which included ferocious whippings and multiple forms of execution. This parallels with directly to the horrifying image of the classroom that Montaigne painted. However the â€Å"manner of punishment† which Montaigne references is the beatings given to the student by the master â€Å"armed with rods.† Thus, Montaigne builds the credibility of his argument by referencing a respected authority on education, while giving his previous analogy further context. By synthesizing hi s ideas with those of Quintilian, Montaigne persuades his reader that an imperialistic education is harmful. With his criticism against systematized education already articulated, Montaigne begins to suggest a solution. He rhetorically exclaims, â€Å"How much more fittingly would their classes be strewn with flowers and leaves than with bloody stumps of birch rods!† He introduces his belief that education should be lively, free and enjoyable as symbolized by the â€Å"flowers and leaves† strewn