Super Stupid Subjectivity

Ah, grade 10 English. I could reminisce all day with my colleagues on the matter. What splendid memories, what amazing times we had. NOT!

What is it that caused English class in high school to leave such an enduring scar and bitter taste in my mouth, you ask? In one word: subjectivity.

We were forced to read the likes of Shakespeare and other so-called "great works" and then were graded on our abilities to interpret these "works" in accordance with "expert" "analysis". Notice all the quotations in the previous sentence? That's because an "expert" to my grade 10 English teach may be nothing more than a "bum who flunked out of math class and needs to make a living somehow so he sits around all day and comes up with loads of crap" to me. Why are my analyses "incorrect" whereas an "expert" (WHO NEVER MET OR TALKED TO Shakespeare) is "correct". Are my ideas not as valid as the next because they have come after that of an "expert", or is it because I am a mere high school student without years of careful "art" study?

Furthermore, when I write a story, poem, or other literary "art", why is it that my teacher grades such a thing beyond pass/fail (Did the person do the work assigned? Then give them an "A")? Was Shakespeare graded as he wrote "A Mid Summer Night's Dream"? What if his English teacher didn't like the name "Puck" or thought William's work was only a "C-" rather than an "A" (according to most "experts")? How would this affect the "quality" of what he did, or what effect would it have on our opinions of him and what he has done?

Come on, anyone who wears something that "gay" can't be any good at writing... I give an "F" for fruity clothing!

The point is that such classes (English) are too subjective and should not be graded in the traditional right/wrong attitude because there are so many possible outcomes, all of which could be considered "right". I can see how some people enjoy writing and such things so getting rid of the class altogether isn't helping either; instead let them explore their own creativity without telling them what is "right" or "wrong" when NO ONE has that ability or right. I have my own opinions and viewpoints and I hate it when others tell me how I'm "wrong", according to them, when I'm really soooo "right", in my own way.