Albert Einstein at School Summary
The lesson begins with little Albert’s encounter with his history teacher, where the teacher is asking him about a particular date from the past and as usual, our unattentive Albert doesn’t know the answer. This moment leads us to a little speech given by Einstein in the class about what “education” should include and what they are being taught is irrelevant. It ends up in him being punished by the teacher, which again, is not new. Then the lesson talks about how Albert disliked his neighbourhood because of all the slum violence and compared it to his best friend, Yuri’s neighbourhood who did not like his’ either. Albert even expresses his worries to his cousin Elsa from Berlin who thinks he can pass if he made a little effort. At this point, Albert starts strategizing his way to get out of the school and he suddenly gets an idea that involves a doctor who is willing to help him. He wanted the doctor to know that he had a nervous breakdown and prescribe that the root cause of it is school, and he shall stay as far away from it as he could. This is where Yuri agrees and sets up an appointment with his friend, a freshly-qualified doctor who he warns is hard to befool. Albert thinks about his conversation with the doctor so much that at this point, he is actually nervous. On meeting the doctor, he comes to know that Yuri has already told him everything and the doctor is ready to help him. The doctor understands how tiring school can be, asks Albert his plans after he gets out of school and realises he is doing no good to him or anyone by staying there. Thus, he hands him his medical certificate and in turn asks him to take Yuri out for a meal. Although, excited Albert had no money to spare, he took Yuri out for supper. He is next seen with his maths teacher who is giving him a referral to make it easier for him to get into a college for pursuing higher mathematics.
Einstein had studied all the maths they teach in school and even some more. He is then summoned to the head teacher’s room where he is told to walk away as hardly any serious work can be accomplished when he is around. As tempting it was for Albert to tell the head teacher the truth and what he thought about his school, he resisted it and walked straight out of the school with his head high. He said goodbye to his only friend Yuri and Elsa was back in Berlin by that time. At last, Albert was out of school.Q.1: What do you understand of Einstein's nature from his conversations with his history teacher, his mathematics teacher and the head teacher?
Ans : Einstein's behaviour seemed to be extremely unruly. He didn't believe in the then prevailing system of education. His nature was a spontaneous one. He found memorising facts and dates quite useless. Ideas lured him more than facts because of which he had a heated argument on education with his history teacher. He was so restless and indifferent that the importance of attending school that he didn't mind not attending it at all. From his conversation with the Maths teacher, we come to know that he was a student who actually had some interest in mathematics, that being the only class in which he paid a lot of attention and never wasted his time. He wasn't open and outright in front of his Mathematics teacher. His behaviour had turned mild before his teacher which showed his respect and obedience for elders. Later, when he confronts the headmaster, we find him defensive at the beginning and carefree at the end of the meeting.
Q.2: The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.
Ans : School nowadays is about memorizing a bunch of facts and spitting them back out on a test or exam. There is no learning involved, just memorization. Students should be taught things of importance. The grading system is messed up too. How can you grade something on creativity? You can't. Albert Einstein said Everyone's a genius, but you judge a fish by ability to climb a tree, will spend its whole life believing it is stupid'
Q.3: How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation?
Ans : Information gathering refers to collection of data and facts. It means knowledge of specific events or situations that has been gathered or received by communication. Insight formation, on the other hand, refers to the perception one has of things through his deep understanding of a subject. Insight refers to the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation. Thus, it might differ from person to person, depending on everyone ideas and concepts
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