Free Response #4

"Of Studies," by Francis Bacon

Main Argument: Studies are important because they can be applied in everything and anyone can use it.

Knowledge is said to be everything. Studies and education have played a large role in today’s society, and its importance is reflected in every school, every textbook, and every human, to a certain extent. In his essay, “Of Studies,” Francis Bacon argues that studies are very important as they can be used in everything and by everyone. Bacon’s argument is strong and right, as shown in the books A Series of Unfortunate Events and the world we live in today.

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the lives of three orphan siblings, Klaus, Sunny, and Violet, who are fleeing from the clutches of Count Olaf, an evil man who wants their fortune. Each of the orphans has their own special talent: Sunny can bite things, Klaus remembers and uses everything that he’s learnt from his books, and Violet can invent things. Their talents help them escape from Count Olaf in every book, and the way the orphans apply everything they’ve studied or learnt is admirable. The brother, Klaus, reads all types of books, and oldest girl, Violet, reads books on inventing and technology. The knowledge they gain from their books is apparent in every book in the series. In the third book, Klaus deciphers a coded message based on his knowledge from a code breaking book that he read when he was small. In the first book, Violet creates a grappling hook from a string of scarves which she uses to climb up a tall, crooked tower. In the tenth book, both Klaus and Violet save their own lives as they stop their cart before it falls down the mountain. Throughout the series, the orphans display their intelligence with their ingenious plans that always manage to help them get to safety, away from Count Olaf.

All around the world, in rural and remote areas in many countries, people are being educated. In India, there are family planning programs for poor, uneducated families who with such programs realize the importance of maintaining a small family. In Bangladesh, farmers are being taught techniques which will help them raise crops even during flood seasons. In many developing countries, people are learning about sanitation and health. Village children who learn to read and write are teaching their parents and opening conservative views to new ideas and thoughts. Children going to school study to give to society, whether it be through conserving the environment or fighting against oppression if minorities. Poor farmers, village children, women, and global citizens all over the world show the application of knowledge in different facets of their lives. Our world today truly reflects the idea that studies are important, and can be used for everything and by everyone.

“Of Studies,” by Francis Bacon, emphasized the point that studies were important, and could be used by everyone. Bacon’s perspective on education can be seen in fictional books like A Series of Unfortunate Events, and in reality, in a world where knowledge can be everything. The people of the Earth advance with studies, and studies ultimately can determine our future.