59 pages • 1 hour read
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things
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Kindergarten
In All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, the title captures the essence of the book, suggesting the fundamental lessons taught in kindergarten, are crucial for navigating adult life. This motif of kindergarten functions as a metaphorical framework within which Fulghum examines various life scenarios, from personal relationships to global issues, through simple truths learned early in life. He emphasizes that these basic ethical guidelines, such as sharing, fairness, respect, and care for others, are not just rudimentary skills but essential wisdom relevant to all ages.
Fulghum’s essays extend the metaphor of kindergarten into a broader, philosophical exploration of adult life, asserting that these early lessons are often overlooked but crucial. For instance, cleaning up after oneself, saying sorry, and living a balanced life of learning, playing, and working are not just childhood tasks but lifelong virtues. In revisiting these kindergarten lessons in various adult contexts, Fulghum advocates for a return to the basics as a remedy for much of the world’s discord. His stories function to highlight that wisdom often stems not from new teachings or sophisticated philosophies but from the foundational truths we were first taught as children. Thus, kindergarten is a lasting metaphor for how to tackle life’s challenges with simplicity and love.
The Mermaid
The motif of mermaids symbolizes individuals who defy conventional categorization, relaying a message about identity and belonging. Mermaids, mythical creatures that are neither fully human nor fully fish, epitomize those who do not fit neatly into any societal box. In “The Mermaid,” a young girl asserts her identity as a mermaid, even though no such category exists in the game, representing those who eschew standard labels to define themselves independently.
Fulghum uses this motif to celebrate diversity and the necessity of unconventional identities; he advocates for empathy with those who stand out from the crowd. This motif is extended in “Taxi,” where, in the final line, Fulghum refers to the taxi driver as “another mermaid.” Distinct in both her profession and demeanor, the taxi driver personifies the “mermaid” through her independence and refusal to conform to expectations. Her strong presence and decision to dictate her own terms of service defy the conventional expectations of a taxi driver; she outright rejects to take Fulghum to his desired destination. She is not merely another character in the city’s backdrop; she is an agent with her own will, making choices that define her path, much like the young girl in “The Mermaid” who insists on her particular identity against the given categories.
Christmas
Through the motif of Christmas, Fulghum explores themes of human connection, tradition, and the essence of joy. Several of his stories are set against the backdrop of the festive season, delving into the emotions and lessons that extend beyond the holiday. For Fulghum, Christmas is a period of reflection, community, and personal revelation. For example, in “Midwinter,” Christmas symbolizes the cyclical nature of emotions and traditions, reflecting our oscillating relationships with joy, despair, and renewal. This essay captures the internal and external contradictions of the season, underscoring how the festive spirit can sometimes be a source of solace and at other times, a burden we struggle to embrace. Similarly, in “The Great Heathen,” the Christmas season highlights familial bonds and the complexities of belief, showing how actions, such as Fulghum’s father volunteering for the Salvation Army, can transcend verbal expressions of faith, uniting people through acts of kindness.
In more whimsical tales like “Hong-Duc” and “Brass Rule,” Christmas emerges as a time when the ordinary can become extraordinary, and the simple act of giving, whether through song or thoughtful gifts, can impact lives. These stories not only celebrate the traditional values associated with Christmas but also challenge and expand them, suggesting that the true spirit of Christmas lies in spontaneous joy, laughter, and the human connections we foster, regardless of the season. Through these narratives, Fulghum uses Christmas as a lens to view the human condition, emphasizing that the spirit of Christmas, generosity, joy, and reflection, is not limited to a single date—or even a single set of religious beliefs—but speaks to a broader, more universal sentiment.
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