A Country Boy Quits School

Lao Hsiang
One of the important problems confronting many Asian countries is the
lack of suitable modern textbooks for children. Until very recently many
nations embarking on mass-education schemes were compelled to use books
translated from British and other foreign models, for none better existed in
their own tongues. That this problem can have its humorous aspects is
empty clear in the story that follows.
Lao Hsiang in the pen name of Wang Hsiang-Chen, a writer best known
for his humorous essays. He was born and brought up in the country and for
several years was associated with the rural-education experiment at
Tinghsien. It was during that period, in the 1930s that he wrote this story.
A Country Boy Quits School
By: Wang Hsiang Chen
Chinese Literature

Characters:
The Boy
Teacher
Father
Grandmother
Mother
Grandfather
Setting:
China
House
School
Plot:
Introduction:
The boy in the story is described as half capable as that of a grownup. He
could already do what most boys could not do at their air. Then, there was a
law issued to their place that any boy aging at least 6 years old must be sent
to school or else someone from the household will be sent to prison. Then
the family of the boy divided to send him to school.
Rising Action
The boy went home from his first day of school bring with him eight
books. His family was filled with awe and wonder at the books and its
characters. But then were listened that the books cost a lot of their money.

Climax:
The mother could not take longer what she sees and heard from his
son. She would hear him refer to the picture and a lady in the book as This
is Mama. She grew with distress that she asked her son to ask his teacher
whose mother the lady really is. The teacher has to really explain to them
that the lady is just made up. This enlightenment only created more
confusion to the boy because he now believed that everything in the book
are real. One time, the boys in the school decided to have a tea party as
indicated in the book. They divided to ask money to buy the food that they
need but then their families found at and all they got is a scolding.
Falling Action
The grandmother heard her grandson read from the book that the family has
a Mama, Papa, Brother and a Sister. She got mad that she has no longer
needed in the family one she did not heard her grandson mention a
Grandmother.
Resolution
The father put an end to their distress and decided that the boy should
quit school even though he will be send to jail.
Conflict:
The family and even the boy dont understand the school system.
Oftentimes, the boy would be mistaken for during something wrong in his
studies. Once, he was accused of playing truant after he was seen coming
home early but only because he has to come to school early that he was told
to go back home yet. They were often confused on what the boy reads and
sees in the book that would cause his family distress.
Theme:
Cultural differences regarding education
Moral Lesson:
Country Boy Quits School shows the importance of education to our lives. It
clearly demonstrates how poor education may result to chaos and confusion
to someones life, even family. Just as much as it issues how significant
education is, this story also addressed how not just books and teacher define
education. The story Generosity on the other hand, shows the very irony of
life during those times. No matter how hard one works, he is easily brought
down by someone with higher class, with no effort at all. We clearly see how
large the gap between people of different classes really is.