MovieChat Forums > Rudy (1993) Discussion > Wasn’t the teacher a little inappropriat...

Wasn’t the teacher a little inappropriately harsh?

posted 4 years ago by redban (6165)
9 replies | jump to latest

Not everyone is meant to go to college...

He stops Rudy from visiting Notre Dame. He also puts Rudy on blast in front of the whole class, saying he’s a daydreamer who slacks off.

Aren’t teachers supposed to be encouraging?

[–] Sandman81 (1509) 4 years ago

As he stated it wasn't a sight seeing tour. This was a serious tour of the academic facilities of Notre Dame, for the students who were seriously considering attending school there. Having inside information on Rudy's grades, the teacher would know first hand that Rudy was not a serious candidate to attend school there.

Rudy was not paying attention in class, and the teacher called him out for it. And it sounds like this wasn't the first time. School was very different back then. A teacher could call you out, and embarrass in front of the class. And if you went home crying to your parents that the teacher called you stupid, the first thing they would say is "Well, what did you do?"

[–] strntz (12225) 4 years ago

School was very different back then. A teacher could call you out, and embarrass in front of the class. And if you went home crying to your parents that the teacher called you stupid, the first thing they would say is "Well, what did you do?"

Ain't that the truth. I was an undiagnosed ADD student and I got yelled at constantly for daydreaming in class, particularly in grammar school. If I got sent home with a teacher's note, I knew I was getting reamed when I gave the note to mom.

[–] mgustafson (9) a year ago

He was wrong wasn't he? Because Rudy DID attend and graduate from ND.

The teacher was a dick but his role is important. There was a social stratification and working class people like Rudy were not supposed to be Notre dame material. That is why Rudy is important and this film is important. He broke through that barrier!

What teacher is supposed to tamp down a kid's dream? It was appalling.

[–] strntz (12225) 4 years ago

The teacher was right: not everyone is meant for college, and it's no sin. Lots of kids went to college who never should have.

[–] mgustafson (9) a year ago

He graduated from Notre Dame! How was that asshole teacher right about anything?

[–] strntz (12225) a year ago

He graduated from Notre Dame! How was that asshole teacher right about anything?

He was right in that not everyone is meant for college... just as I said.

[–] mgustafson (9) a year ago

Are you dense?

Rudy graduated with a degree from Notre Dame!!!!!

So he was obviously wrong! You are wrong.

Destroying the goals and dreams of young people is evil! He should be encouraging every kid he encounters to reach their potential.

[–] strntz (12225) a year ago

Rudy graduated with a degree from Notre Dame!!!!!
So he was obviously wrong! You are wrong.

What I said is that the teacher was correct - not everyone was meant for college.

Rudy is a single case that you're using to defend your point. There certainly are others like Rudy but by citing Rudy is an example, your argument can only mean that "there is no one not meant for college because someone like Rudy was able to".

Destroying the goals and dreams of young people is evil!

Yes, if Rudy showed significant physical size and skill in either football and was a straight A student or both, the teacher would have been incorrect and even "evil' to destroy his dreams. Rudy was neither. But you know what's more evil? Telling kids without the necessities to achieve a certain dream that they can. Handing out trophies and telling kids they can have and be anything they want just sets them up for crushing disappointments later in life when those impossible dreams die unrealized. To me, that's pushing evil.

If you want to pick on the teacher, fine. He was wrong about *Rudy* even if his advice that not everyone was meant for college was otherwise correct. Rudy never showed any interest in academics in high school yet he wanted to attend Notre Dame not for the academic aspect, but to play football. He was no better a football player than a student.

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1158) 4 years ago

Knowing Rudy was a good guy and would be okay wherever he ended up, the teacher probably just thought he’d be straight up with Rudy.

Some teachers forget to use constructive criticism when teaching. Coulda told Rudy to go to juco or something, but it was a different time where most people weren’t expected to go to college.

But Rudy needed to be put on blast. I think the real Rudy did say he was lazy and needed a wake up call. Even though he was dyslexic, he didn’t help out his case by not working harder in high school.