English literature throughout the years in Cresskill left a significant impact on the lives of students and English teachers alike. What exactly makes these books so favorable? What makes teacher values different from the students?
Some students enjoy how the books are helpful for writing essays. They not only teach essential lessons but stick with the reader throughout their life. Jack Semenoro, about his favorite book, The Great Gatsby, says, “[it] has great use of very distinct symbolism.” He also likes the main character: “Nick is really down to earth…and he’s just trying to get through it…I feel like that is a story for a lot of people.”
Others are focused on the importance of the genre to themselves personally. Amy Lee talks about Romeo and Juliet: “I personally like romance books, mostly the classic ones, so I really enjoyed reading them, and I like it when the books are sad.” Additionally, Tiko Tvauri has a particular interest in dystopian and Shakespearean novels. “So 1984, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, like those three, and Brave New World, I think are so essential and really had an impact. But if I had to reread something and sit there and enjoy it, I would either read Macbeth or Hamlet.”
Leo Rael mentions how plays can be incredibly influential. “[The Crucible] is literally the best play ever written. The drama in this play is so packed–it’s the most dramatic play in the entire world. And the political implications are insane, and the historical context is insane.”
The English teachers at Cresskill have their own stances on what books they cherish the most. Mrs. Harris, who is writing her doctoral dissertation, chose The Great Gatsby. “My favorite book of all time is The Great Gatsby. But besides that, I’m really, really emotionally attached to the books in the AP lit curriculum.”
In terms of teaching a class, Mrs. DeMarco knows what book in the curriculum hits all necessities. “AP and English 9 are so different, but if I had to pick one single favorite, I probably would go with Born A Crime.” She believes everybody can get something out of the book, regardless of their reading level. If the reader is strong in their understanding, they can also find the deeper themes and motifs, leading them to appreciate the story’s context. “They can see how he’s arranging his memoir in a way that makes it more beautiful, and I think that’s something not every memoir writer does.” Mrs. DeMarco adds that students can relate and even be entertained on a higher level: “But even if you’re not there as a reader and that’s not your favorite class, you can get Trevor Noah’s humor, like when he poops on the floor.” The historical context is also an important lesson for students to understand, so she says, “When you learn about apartheid, you might keep it very impersonal, but Trevor Noah makes it easy to understand and makes it relatable, and somehow makes a sad story really funny, and I think it’s a great tool for that particular age and that particular group.”
