Jose’s description of what his experience with school was like contradicts with Rousseau’s ideas on education. He lived through a time when the schooling system did not allow these black children that were students to move up. They were not allowed to gain the experience needed to help their individuality and the education by man is controlling them most. By restraining them and their thinking, these students do not have the ability to think on their own, and are not able to “develop as citizens”, something which Rousseau believes comes from education and the freedom to receive one (Rousseau 4).

                  In Jean Jacques Rousseau’s treatise on education, he emphasizes “cruel education… burdens a child with all sorts of restrictions and begins by making him miserable…” (Rousseau 4). Therefore, Rousseau fully believes that one should be “kind” to their pupil during their early childhood as they are only temporary (Rousseau 5). In contrast, throughout Black Alley Shack, we see instances of the students getting beaten up. “Or the mistress had beaten me with that little bamboo switch she used both when showing us the letters to read on the board when correcting those not paying attention or talking in class” (Zobel 63) Another time was when the principal did something which led the students to say “We were already being boxed on our ears” (Zobel 104). This was thought to be a method that would help and encourage the students to study more. In the contrary, all it did was backfire, and it makes the students despise the teachers, as well as discourages them to learn. They should have an experience that will help them get the material they need to succeed as well as have an experience that will help them become better citizens of their community.