There are a lot of stereotypes when it comes to the English major. Most think we're either teachers or unemployed. Many think English majors as this:
...which is actually pretty true. And yet others, when we pull an all-nighter finishing a novel or give ourselves headaches trying to memorize every literary movement from the past two millennia, say:
No matter the stereotype, however, I'm here to say English majors work hard, and definitely deserve more credit than they're given. Perhaps we're just a little misunderstood. Those science and math majors just can't picture why we would want to stare at words all day. Or sit in class all day and debate about those words. But that's what we do. And we love it.
So, as an insider to the whole English scene, here are a few TRUE (somewhat true, at least) stereotypes that everyone else can add to their lists of people you'll find in an English class:
1. The person who reads everything.
This one buys all the books, dog-ears all the books, highlights all the books, etc. The task is nearly impossible to do, so you gotta give this person some mad props for their effort.
2. The person who reads nothing.
If they come in with a new-looking book, or if they don't come in with a book at all, you can guess you've stumbled upon one of these people. Everyone slacks off on the reading at some point, but these people are faithful to their never-knowing-what's-going-on regime.
3. The person who reads nothing but somehow knows everything.
I have yet to understand these people. They must have a natural talent for deception. Don't trust these people.
4. The person who honestly makes no sense.
Their comments always start off good, but this student usually loses everybody somewhere in the middle. Their argument could start off with Orwellian propaganda end up on the success of the Harry Potter series. Needless to say, they leave people more confused than they already were, which is saying a lot for an English class.
5. The person who takes the discussion section too seriously.
Aka the person that likes to refute everything anyone else says. Captain Ahab was suffering from post-traumatic stress? WRONG. Big Brother was a sexist? WRONG. Romeo and Juliet were actually in love and in no way bolstered by societal constraints? WRONG.
6. The person that ties everything back to a movie reference.
Harry Potter. La La Land. Sometimes even Twilight. This person likes their literature, but they like their pop culture even more.
7. The person that ties everything back to a Dead Poets Society reference.
All jokes aside, all hail the great Robin Williams.
8. The person that ties everything back to a She's the Man reference.
Yes, Viola is Viola, and Sebastian is Sebastian, and Channing Tatum is way hotter than you ever pictured Duke Orsino to be. Nevertheless, the movies rocks. It doesn't always relate to an English class discussion, but it rocks.
9. The person that ties everything back to literally any Shakespeare work or Shakespeare adaptation or pretty much anything ever related to that name.
We get it. Shakespeare is, like, legendary or something.
10. The Obvious English Majors.
Aka the literature enthusiasts. They have punny backpack buttons and pets named after famous authors. Their first born will either be named Jane, Robinson, Dorian, or maybe even Hester.
11. The English Minors.
These very often include the math and science majors: engineers, pre-med students, pre-pharmacy students, etc. They're the ones who wanted to major in English and their parents wouldn't let them...or, quite possibly, they may like both science and the humanities. *gasp*
12. The English Education Majors.
These blend in quite well with the regular English majors. They, too, are irrevocably in love with literature. However, they seem to have a little more kick to their step, and they don't seem to look quite as tired and/or antisocial as their regular English major counterparts.
13. The creative writers.
They like books, yes, but they consider themselves a different breed. They write the books too. They are writers. They wish to be addressed as writers.
14. The poets.
Poets are to the realm of creative writers as what Yoda is to Star Wars. They're still a part of the action, but they have a different way of looking at the world. We sometimes understand what they're trying to say. Sometimes we do not.
15. And then there's you.
You probably belong to one or more of the categories listed above (all of them, perhaps)...which is totally fine. Flaunt that English background. Revel in it. Because it's freaking awesome. And don't forget it. Even when you're crying over that 20-page paper or trying to read a 300-page novel in two hours. You've got this. English rocks. And so do you.
