I found reading The Education of Henry Adams much like reading a stream of consciousness. Even though his thoughts are very organized into certain time periods and there are not the random flashbacks characteristic of streams of consciousness, his flow of thoughts and introspection have the essence of entering into Adams' brain and memories. His references to many historical people and events without explanation is extremely confusing and gives me the sense of this being an organized flow of his personal thoughts and knowledge. Also, the lack of dialogue contributes to this sense of being completely in Adams' head as he writes.
I don't agree with or enjoy reading his criticisms and dislike towards formal education. While I do like that he mentions again and again his acquirement of education through informality, such as learning language and appreciation for music in Germany and other "accidental education," I don't understand the point in discounting formal education all together quite yet. This is obviously an important pillar of the book, as indicated by the title, and I think that I will understand his position on formal education more by its conclusion. I feel like it will be something like how informal education is more memorable and useful than formal education, or at least that's the sense I get right now.
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First of all I do agree that the novel is a bit challenging with all the historical references. I find myself ‘wikapedia-ing’ some of the other characters and events that he discusses like the Free Soil Party. However I do find his emphasis on importance of informal education very interesting. I completely agree with this view. There is this perceived notion we hold in society that formal education is the only correct form of learning. People acknowledge that learning outside the lines is possible yet still don’t place it on the same level. Who’s to say that a classroom with children sitting quietly in rows all day will stimulate the most learning. Often it is life’s experiences and struggles that can teach the most. Its fascinating to me that even then Henry Adams understood this notion and still today we do not completely value its point.
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