If art is subjective, why did schools enforce the idea that there's "right" and "wrong" ways to interpret literature?

FfaerieOxide, 11 months ago

Do you think schools were established to develop independent minds that can analyze themes and develop novel modes of thought, or to train workers?

PugJesus, 11 months ago

Generally speaking, what teachers look for in grade-school analysis is proof that the student actually read and understood, to some degree, the work. The easiest way for the student to do this is the 'right' way; that is to say, the obvious or accepted interpretation, but usually alternate answers are accepted.

If you're asking about multiple-choice questions, then the point is usually to weed out those who paid absolutely no attention/didn't actually read the work with three absurd or irrelevant choices.

Pons_Aelius, 11 months ago

especially when reading old poems and scripts

Part of the issue with old works is that while in English, many of the phrases, idioms, literary allusions etc have lost all meaning to a modern reader.