Informal Assignment

In order to have an abundance of success people sacrifice many things. Richard Rodriguez is a wonderful example of this statement. In his book, “The Achievement of Desire,” he writes, “I was able to frame the meaning of my academic success, its consequent price- -the loss” (517). Rodriguez frames the meaning of his success in relation to Hoggarts “scholarship boy” by being a dependent thinker, high-strung, and respecting his teachers more than his own parents. His decisions about higher learning and knowledge had dramatic effects on the outcome of his life and family relations. Along the endless path of his education, his definition of success can be defined as more important than “the loss” of the bond he had with his family. Rodriguez defines himself as not just being a “scholarship boy,” but a successful one. “I was always unconfident. Exhilarated by my progress” (516). Seen by some as driven, appreciative however unoriginal, and frankly a kiss ass, Rodriguez began to struggle to connect with his parents. “And there is time enough, and silence, to think about ideas (big ideas) never considered at home by his parents” (517). Unlike most people as a child, Richard was unable to express his happiness about his academic success. This would affect anybody in a fashion that they would become uncomfortable with their own home surroundings. Coming home from school he would feel as though he could not talk to his family about things he had learned for fear they would not understand or simply be uninterested. His parents’ lack of education contributed greatly to his distancing from family. Therefore he took his academics to an extreme pushing his family away. Ironically, Rodriguez understands Hoggarts “scholarship boy” as someone who “must move between environments, his home and the classroom, which are at cultural extremes, opposed” (517). During his childhood and early adult life he admits to being unable to do this. Due to this, Rodriguez was only