Essay Questions

Why is Ta-Nehisi Coates unwilling to go to school in the first place?

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a bad boy who believes that real men should not go to school. He wants to acquire his life education in the streets. Besides being an intelligent boy, Ta-Nehisi Coates hates school because he thinks that education alone cannot help him survive in the real world. At some point, Ta-Nehisi Coates jerked his English teacher because he sees him as an abuser. Ta-Nehisi thinks that going to school is a waste of time since he believes that streets offer him a better education.

What is the significance of aptitude according to The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates?

According to Ta-Nehisi, parents play a significant role in helping their children develop their talents. As a young boy, Ta-Nehisi was fond of writing poetry and writing songs. His parents played a significant role in helping him develop his aptitude. Today, Ta-Nehisi is a happy man because he is enjoying his job because of writing. Aptitude is vital because it makes a person happy. Doing what you love is the best profession according to Ta-Nehisi.

Is Ta-Nehisi’s father a role model to the family?

Ta-Nehisi and his brother look up to their father in everything they do. Ta-Nehisi's dad is a wise man and he loves reading a variety of books. Even though Ta-Nehisi and his brother do not like going to school, their father insists that they must go to school and they later thank him. The dad is also doing everything possible within his power to ensure that the boys grow in a Godly manner. Similarly, the dad is a role model because he wants the boys to grow up as responsible men.