Compare and Contrast Essay Gerald Graff's article, “I Don't Like Books” and Richard's “Scholarship Boy” Rodriguez are similar and yet different in many ways. The two articles describe the journey of two boys from different backgrounds through different stages of their education. A similarity between the two articles is seen in the desire of parents to have their children acquire a formal education. Rodriguez's parents took him and his other siblings to parochial schools because the nuns, in their opinion, taught better than other teachers. Even though they were uneducated and had low-paying jobs, they struggled and paid their children's school fees (Rodriguez 16). In addition, they had their children learn English, even though they themselves were Mexican immigrants and knew little English. Graff's father also took an interest in his education. He was very concerned about his son's hatred of reading and did his best to make him learn to read, including forcing Graff to read by confining him to his room (Graff 23). In the articles, the ambitions and challenges of the two boys are very understandable. They both tell the story of their quest for formal education. The child of Mexican emigrants, Rodriguez barely spoke English when he started school (Rodriguez 16). His working-class parents could barely pay for his education and that of his other siblings. He had to work very hard to get a scholarship to go to university. Graff also had his challenges. He grew up in a tough, multi-ethnic neighborhood in Chicago where he risked being beaten by other boys if he was caught reading (Graff 23). Plus, he didn't enjoy reading until much later, in college. Both writers, however, overcame their challenges and ultimately realized their ambitions....... middle of paper ......hats off to father. The high level of sophistication and education of his teachers (factors he considers lacking in his parents) earns him much respect. The scholar wishes his parents were just like the teachers (Rodriguez 16). Graff, for his part, criticizes teachers. According to him, many literature professors have lost touch with the passion for literature and are obsessed with professionalism, their path to advancing their careers, and their fascination with analysis and theory (Graff 26). Works CitedGraff, Gerald. “I don’t like books.” From investigation to academic writing: a text and a reader. Ed. Stuart Greene and April Lidinsky. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2012. 22-26. PrintRodriguez, Richard “Scholarship Boy”. From investigation to academic writing: a text and a reader. Ed. Stuart Greene and April Lidinsky. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2012. 15-22. Print