College Don’t Make Sense
By: Marion Walker Alcaro

Questions: 1. Research on the background information of the author, and state your answers in bullet form. * Marion Walker Alcaro, 97, passed away on Dec. 13, 2009 in Holland, Mich * She graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1935 * During the ensuing forty years she raised three sons, managed her husband’s medical office and authored numerous articles for Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and The New Yorker magazines. * Later, at the age of 64, Marion decided to return to the academic world. At age 68 she received a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. At age 72 she received her second master’s degree from Drew University, and three years later, at the age of 75, received her Ph.D., also from Drew University. * At age 79, she authored and published a scholarly biography entitled “Walt Whitman’s Mrs. G” which, to this day, is widely recognizes and cited as a respected authority within the Walt Whitman segment of the academic community. * Over the ensuing fourteen years, Dr. Marion Alcaro, as a Walt Whitman Fellow, presented numerous courses and lectures at various colleges, universities and literary gatherings.

2. Has the life of the author influenced her in writing the literary piece? Give examples. Yes, the life of the author influenced her. The writer being a housewife and a married affects her insights about college. She realized all of those things when she became mature enough which she did not notice before when she was in her college years. She learned to grasp a problem, analyze it, seek out the proper reference, and then proceed to solve it. Marriage and motherhood are not representation of professions demanding skill and training, but as humble sidetracks.

3. Has the author written a thoughtful, balanced statement? Defend your answer.

Yes, she explained both sides and because of her insights about college, I realized things that I do not usually notice. She has the point about realizations about college, that they teach mostly the same thing over and over again. They are preparing for your future to be a professional professional, but they are not molding you to have a good attitude and decisions on having a family planning. They should also give a point to that according to the author because the preparation of undergraduates for marriage should be a vibrant challenge to the liberal arts of college. Many women married doctors and clergy men just because they knew that they won’t have any problem financially. This should not be a habit, women should not just depend on their husbands’ salary because women have the job to budget the money for the whole family so she should know how to invest, insurance, taxation and managing the money in a practical way.

4. Do you agree to the general statement made by the author? Why?

Yes, I agree to Marion walker Alcaro, because as I am also a woman, I know how she feels and I was persuaded by her essay. I mostly agree on her statements. Marriage is not an easy thing; it is a serious thing that should be treated seriously. Once you enter a marriage you cannot stop it, you have to deal with it. Before entering into a marriage we must fist evaluate ourselves if we were mature enough to undergoing this kind of relationship. I agree also to her statement that if a woman had some practical training along with the academic hardtack, she could step into her role as a professional woman instead of bugling amateur – and this tastes should be developed and acquired in college. 5. What particular statement made by the author would you like to disagree with? Why? (use bubble map in answering)

6. What do you think is/are the real purpose/s of college education? Why? (use concept map)

Explanation:

In college, students establish the intellectual foundations for their careers, and it is when they have the freedom to explore paths their lives might take. It is the rare student who comes to us with a clear life map already in hand. We can put choices in front of students, but we must do so in an academically structured manner. College is for finding a calling, or many callings, including the calls of friendship and love. It is for the hard work of experimentation, failure, reflection, and growth. It is about the gains we make and the losses that come with them. In an age of sound bites and indignation, college is for those who are brave enough to put at risk what they think they know in recognition of the responsibility we have to one another and to those still to come.

7. To whom the essay was addressed? Why do you say so?

The essay was addressed for the college lady students, because the author’s essay mainly focuses on the professions of women in the society and inside a family. The author wanted the college students to open up their eyes to foresee the future ahead of them by the use of Marion’s essay. It would be a good basis and fundamental block of a college student to live her life in the future. To correct things that should not be done or repeated again and again. It was intended for us, college students to be aware, informed, and to learn some useful pieces of advice to the author which can make us more responsible and interactive women in the society and in the role of a women in the family.

8. What do you think is the reason or purpose of the author in writing the piece? Why?

The reason or purpose of the author in writing the piece was intended for the college students so that they will be aware and prepared on the future ahead of them. By the use of this essay that Marion wrote. It can open up the eyes of the college students and made them realize how hard it would be to be on a marriage. Through the author colleges will have an idea on how to face problems and deal with the person whom you should marry. College students should not jump into the conclusions that having married will save them in their status in life, from rags to riches. They should also consider how to know how to budget money, insurances, taxations which a woman should know before entering into a married life.

9. What sort of persona does Alcaro create in writing essay? Why?

The persona of Alcaro as I had read her essay is that I think that she is a very intelligent woman. She is brave and she knows her rights and she will fight for her rights. She is always into the details with something that other people cannot notice. She has a wide mind and explanations on the things that she had observed around her. She is definitely a good expressionist; she can express her feelings and insights with emotions which can be felt by the readers who are reading her essay.

10. What relevance does this literary piece have for the contemporary social issues?

As a college student, I believe the main reason why students should not get married while in college is college itself. College is a time when an individual is trying to, first and foremost, achieve academic success. In my opinion, the added responsibilities of marriage would do nothing but decrease the ability to succeed in one’s education. Marriage takes time and commitment and one does not have either of these when one is attempting to balance studying as well as other college activities.