Because I Said So

"Because it ain't in the books so--that's why."
     This seems to be Tom's answer, at least in the first few chapters of Huckleberry Finn, whenever someone challenges his ideas.  In other words, just go with what the books tell you; follow the rules because they're the rules and that's what you're supposed to do.  It sounds like an answer educated people often give.  It reminds me of an answer my teachers or parents gave me when I asked them why I had to do something--"Because I said so."  In high school I remember questioning the importance and application of Calculus in the real world and getting shut down because, "it's important to know."  Side note: I can't remember a thing I learned in AP Calculus.
     I think Tom has fallen prey to blindly following the rules--which is what his education system is teaching him to do.  Tom is the leader of the group and the mastermind behind all of the adventures, but he doesn't alway know why he's doing what he's doing.  Although Tom is educated and has read enough books to imagine robbing Spanish merchants and "rich A-rabs," his creativity doesn't really go past what he learned in those books.  The education system that taught him to read and write also seemed to stunt his personal logic and reasoning.  Yes, he was educated, but the system failed at allowing him to think for himself.  Tom had been taught to think a certain way, while Huck, who was not educated, was still free to imagine other scenarios.  What's the point of educating people if they're not learning to think for themselves?
     I was babysitting a few weeks ago, and the little boy was standing on the shoulder of a chair, trying to reach something above him on a shelf.  Here was our conversation:
"Jack, get down from there."
"Why?"
"What if you get hurt?"
"What if I don't?"
     His question took be by surprise, and I wasn't really sure how to answer it.  Jack is just in kindergarten; he hasn't yet fallen prey to thinking how "the system" wants him to.  Even though it annoyed me that he didn't obey right away, he had a point.  What if he didn't get hurt?  What if he safely got his toy down off the shelf with no assistance from myself?  Although I hope Jack doesn't grow up to constantly question and disobey authority, I also hope he doesn't grow up to think the way they want him to without understanding why that is.