Extra Post for Adams

I will agree with most others and say that this book is complex and multifaceted. While attempting to read The Education of Henry Adams, I found it at times most helpful to focus less on the historical references and more on his overall “lessons” from the experiences. Adams constantly brings up the point that he is from the 18th century and he has a hard time visualizing the future and consequences of events to come. I find this partly ironic, especially since his writings are completed long after the actual events have taken place. I also think it represents his inability to accept change. Often times when he is faced with something new, he wavers back and forth, giving the reader a philosophical spill, before he comes to a decision.
I also noticed Adams seems to reject the education, which occurs in many different forms. He constantly comments on how none of the experiences he goes through fulfill the purpose of providing him with an education. This leads the reader to question what he values as education and if he actually knows what his is ultimately trying to obtain. In chapter XXI, Adams finally defines the purpose and goal of education- “…education should try to lessen the obstacles, diminish the friction, invigorate the energy, and should train the minds to react, not haphazard, but by choice…” (237). I think that most of the experiences he has endured fit his description, although he disregards any education before 1870.