Who the hell is Ernest Hemingway?
Well, don't ask any of our young people age 20 and under -- because almost none of them have a clue that Hemingway was one of America's greatest writers of the previous century.
At least that is what my recent unscientific poll of 100 young people revealed. Out of 100 young people I quizzed, just two -- yes, only two -- could tell me who Hemingway was, and what he was known for.
Furthermore, the two who did know who Hemingway was said they had never read any of his books or short stories. But at least they knew who he was.
Here is how this all began: I was in a convenience store one night, just chatting with a couple of young guys who had part-time jobs there, and who were seniors in high school, in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.
Making light chit-chat, I happened to mention something about Ernest Hemingway. I could see from the looks on their faces that they didn't know who Hemingway was.
So I asked both of them: "Have you guys ever heard of Ernest Hemingway?" They both admitted they had not.
I asked them if they ever came across his name in their high school English courses. They said no.
I asked further: "Aren't you required to learn about great American writers in school?"
Both their answers: "I don't know."
I thought this was exceedingly strange. I thought it was odd that anyone -- anyone at all, really, young or old in America -- had not at least heard of Ernest Hemingway.
So the next time I encountered an 18 to 20-something, I asked her if she knew who Ernest Hemingway was. She said: "Never heard of him."
That was three in a row. It made me set out on a personal quest: I would ask 100 people, ages, say, 16 to 20, if they knew who Hemingway was. And I've told you the results. Fully 98 out of a 100 had never heard of him.
So what does this really mean? I'm not sure. I know one thing -- I am amazed, and just a tad frightened. I keep asking myself: "Just what are they teaching our kids in public high schools these days?"
I can conclude this -- Hemingway isn't required reading anymore.
But is this a sign of a deeper problem with the education our kids are getting in Minnesota public schools? Is it no longer important for them to learn about the major literary figures of recent history? Or are they too busy learning about other things, such as computers, math, and high technology subjects?
Of course, my little survey was unscientific, and it would be unwise to draw broad conclusions based on my small random sampling. I have a feeling, however, that I could have asked a thousand students, or 5,000, and I bet just two or three precent of them would have passed the Hemingway challenge.
It all makes me wonder. And does it really matter?
DOES THE STATE OF MINNESOTA OWE YOU A LOT OF MONEY?
Comments
Juat so you know kids get Hemingway from 7th grade and on...
I thought Old Man and the Sea was required reading. when I was in school I could of sworn we read it twice
I would question the teacher's comment about kids getting so much Hemingway -- I agree with the author. Our youngsters don't seem to know much about anything. After reading Ken's article, I asked my own 5 nieces and nephews, ages 14 through 18, if they had ever heard of Hemingway,and they all said "Who?"
If they are being taught Hemingway, then it certainly seems to be going in one ear and out the other pretty fast.
I think the title of this article is inappropriate and offensive; to those of us who not only were educated in Minnesota, but those who have children educated here. I do not know where you took the sample, but to put an article on the internet like this, likely to be seen if not read by unknown numbers of people; there should be a more appropriate title. Any title that does not single out one state or group of kids’ would do.
Have you ever seen the spots that Jay Leno did in the past, asking people of all ages in New York, from all over the country, questions most people believe to be general knowledge? The problem goes further than great literature, history or any other specific subject... just as it goes further than the demographic of Minnesota.
With that said, my conclusion is that you, Ken Korczak, who claims to be concerned with education, are not very well educated yourself. If you were, you would know better than to use offensive, non-inclusive language in your article.
Greetings from Canada
I am the author of a 6 play series on the life of Ernest Hemingway. If you are interested in how great this man was, I will be pleased to give you a complimentary performance of one of my plays. Anything to educate or re-educate the public!
Contact me via my website:
www.briangordonsinclair.com
I don't see this article as focused upon Minnesota. Its a problem throughout America. We now test in school for specific knowledge and students never have the time or inclination to explore in a library for good reading. Our eduational system here in tests students and forgets what education really is.
Obviously, the take-away here should be OMG YOU'RE BESMIRCHING THE GOOD NAME OF MINNESOTA.
Yeesh.
This is a matter to be solved by some good marketing. Make Hemingway seem forbidden, alluring, counter-cultural, and teens will pick him up again.
Sad if true. Ernest Hemingway was my grandfather and while I am certainly aware of the his macho image of hunter, heavy drinker and lover are perhaps not too appealing to the 16-20 year old age group he was in fact a much more complicated person. I wrote a memoir in 2007, Strange Tribe, which explores another side of his personality and that of my father. I often gives on this subject around the US. Should anyone be interested in hearing me they can contact me at johnphemingway@gmail.com
Cordially,
John Hemingway
I'm from Australia and even i know who Ernest Hemingway is.
This frightens me. I’ve known who Hemingway was since I was maybe 13 or 14. Granted, I’m 16 now and haven’t read any of his works, just quotes here and there, and I’ve always been ahead intellectually of my peers. But even so, the sheer ignorance and lack of independent learning of my age group in these times is appalling.
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