Reads of Requirement: An Interview with Rachel Woodham | Storied Souls | The Commonplace Season 4

It’s generally accepted that children need good stories. It’s not generally accepted that good stories are the most important thing read to children. We moderns think of fiction as a treat, a bonus, or an escape; it’s nice but certainly not something we have to require for school. This is why many new classical moms find themselves confused while looking over a book list of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and The Secret Garden for next term. If education is about the future, then we have a question: Shouldn’t I give my children real stories to prepare them for the real world?
I’m joined by Rachel Woodham to discuss how stories are a better preparation for Reality and why every mother-teacher should create her list of Reads of Requirement for her home.
Footnotes for this episode can be found: www.thecommonpl...
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Rachel Woodham has been a classical educator for over a decade. Previously, she was a teacher and administrator at a local classical school. She currently homeschools her children and teaches in a Charlotte Mason co-op. She has a BA in Russian from Florida State University. Currently, she is a master's student of Philosophy and Religion in Harrison Middleton University's Great Books Program.
She and her husband, Jay, live in North Florida where they can often be found on the back porch discussing nature and grace. They have three lively children who enjoy digging holes and asking a great many questions. Their family worships at an Anglican parish.
Rachel writes about classical education for Circe Institute in her column, The Still Point. For musings about liturgy, literature, and life, you can subscribe to her Substack, Mud and Sapphires.
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Painting: Arundel Mill and Castle, John Constable, 1837

[@DKF347]

Great discussion! A quote from The Deathly Hallows that came to mind as you were discussing the value of reading literature that “isn’ real” was when Harry says to Dumbledore “Is this all real? Or is this just happening in my head.” And he replies “Of course is happening in your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real.” Look forward to reading her article!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I think you'll love her article with a quote like that!

[@alittle3684]

This spring I finished re-reading the HP series with my husband and discovered that it is a story showing the principle “love never fails” verse in Corinthians. We just kept seeing it pop up in many subtle ways and some less subtle ways. I just can’t unsee it now. However I totally get the concern many have with it and can see that maybe it would not be one for all. I hope to go through it alongside my kids at the right time…though I will think deeper about her point of moral ambiguity before I decide. I’m now reading The Little White Horse because Autumn recommended the author and Rowling said she loved this book. I am enjoying it very much.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Oh, Goudge, yes? I haven't read that one but adore Goudge! I can see the "love never fails" thread, absolutely.

[@Yesica1993]

I am on my umpteenth HP reread. I'm in my 50s and first came to the books when I was pre-screening them for my young nieces at the time. Long story short, I can't even recall if they read all the books. I'm the one who got hooked. And it was a slow burn. I am very much like Hermione in that I hate, hate, hate all the rule breaking. I also hate all the making out in the later books. And, as a Christian, the whole witchcraft thing comes into play as well. I've thought about this so much, and for so many years. My conclusion has been the witchcraft stuff is more on the level of make believe. It's not the real thing. Even the supposed divination with Trelawney is made fun of, because she's nearly always wrong. There's also the point made that you can't use magic to solve your personal problems. My take is that I wouldn't just hand them to a kid. I probably wouldn't allow them for kids maybe... under 8. I would read the books to/with them and discuss everything. I think the themes of friendship, marriage/family, doing what is right, bravery, self sacrifice, etc. are well worth it.

[@elizabetho7654]

This was such a great discussion! Lots of helpful pragmatic takeaways, but also a beautiful philosophical conversation.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@MelonieL83]

This is such a rich conversation. I’m so inspired to read more and have amassed quite a pile of books for individual enrichment as well as how to build up my children. Thank you both!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Fantastic! Enjoy!

[@humblyhaley]

Sad to say, that with a college “education” I’m only just now reading Narnia for the first time and have never read Tolkien either. Very behind on my “reads of requirement” but I love this idea and am excited to give my kiddos a leg up in their literary lives. Loved this episode! 😄

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I read Narnia as an adult! Be careful. You'll never be the same. ;)

[@capturedbyannamarie]

I am 35 and I have only read the Hobbit and the first Narnia book. I also went to college. It is very sad.

[@Yesica1993]

@@capturedbyannamarie It's never too late! I'm in my 50s, so I was already an adult when I first read LOTR , when the movies were first coming out. For the life of me, I can't even remember seeing them in the library as a kid. I barely remember hearing about them at all. When I did start reading them, it took until at least the middle of Return of the King before the language fully "clicked" in my brain. But I fell in love forever and I have never been the same.

[@capturedbyannamarie]

Everything sad is untrue is soo good. We did the hobbit when our son was 8. He loved it. My 13 year old is currently reading the whole lord of the rings trilogy.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Fantastic. My kids just finished their third read of The Hobbit with my husband and they * love * it!

[@mckenzie2260]

This was great. I largely agree. I’m curious what she writes about Harry Potter, because I’ve come to a different conclusion, and I wonder her reasonings. Ironically, I found her descriptions of what not to read to children the reason I don’t allow Harry Potter in my household- being that there is moral ambiguity. Harry is a twisted hero, he is actually not morally virtuous a lot of the time, if not most of the time, and he always seems to get away with it and is rallied as the hero the entire time. It’s striking to me that we would promote that as something to emulate or teach us lessons, when I find that many of those lessons are morally corrupt, and oftentimes sneakily so.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Yes! Here is the original essay: sapphires.substack.com/p/harry-potter-read-of-requirement

[@katie7748]

It's fascinating how different perspectives and opinions can be.

[@Yesica1993]

@@katie7748 HP can be a difficult one. But that's why I keep saying I wouldn't hand them off to kids. I'd read the books with them and discuss everything. I think the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones. But other people may not think they do.

[@Yesica1993]

I always hated the rule breaking too. (I'm very much like Hermione in that way.) But I can't remember Harry doing something genuinely evil. That moral line was always very clear. But this is why I wouldn't just hand the books off to kids. I'd discuss it with them.

[@moniqueschuarts]

Loved this interview! I first listened on the podcast, and was waiting to see it here on KZbin so I could post my comment 😊 I do have a question that is not related to the topic of the interview, though. I just learned that you live in NC. And based on your previous videos/podcasts I know you are out in the woods a lot. My question is, what about the snakes?? I’m also in NC, and as much as I love being outdoors, I’m terrified of going on any trail alone with the kids. (Not so much because of the weird guys 😅 but definitely bc of my fear of snakes). Do you have any tips? Suggestions? Sorry, this question is so not related. I hope you don’t mind….

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I’m actually not in NC. That would be the Kerns of the Circe Institute! But I recommend having a field guide so you know/can identify the snakes in your area. Wear high top boots and understand basic first aid!

[@Pellucidmind2]

I’m not sure if this is a silly question but Where do you find your books? I have looked at library sales and some estate sales… wondering if I’m missing a really good resource.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Not a silly question! I actually made a video about how I built our library: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5zcYWOBrdanaZY