Ideological Literature: The Ideological Biases of Commonly Taught Works and Their Implications Vis-a-Vis the School System

Abstract

Michael Schiro posits the existence of four “curricular ideologies,” conflicting viewpoints about education’s purpose. This thesis attempts to link those ideologies – scholar academic, social efficiency, learner centered, and social reconstruction – to commonly taught works of literature. It operates on the idea that literature, a human product replete with statements about life, serves as the ideal tool to disseminate certain messages or promulgate particular ideologies. The thesis first examines sources linking literature and curricular materials to social objectives, establishing a rationale for the project. Then, it analyzes fifteen literary works – their plots, characters, themes, figurative language – and connects them to Schiro’s ideological categories. These ideological slants are used to draw inferences about the school system’s goals. What does the ideological spread say about school’s purpose and objectives? Finally, the thesis ends with a call for teachers to become more cognizant of literature’s biases – to become aware and purposeful about the messages they convey to students.