If you asked Colin, he'd probably agree that everything he needed to know he learned in kindergarten. That's because by the time he was in kindergarten, he was already reading and studying with a college professor. To Colin, education is the foundation of his life. Learning—in any form—is super important to him, and in An Abundance of Katherines we see him constantly pushing himself to learn more facts, languages, equations… well, you get the idea. But Colin doesn't just want to learn to fit in with society; he wants to become a genius. (Don't we all?)
Questions About Wisdom and Knowledge
- What's the deal with Hassan putting off college? What is it about college that repels him? Why does Colin want his buddy to enroll so badly?
- Why is it so important to Colin to become a genius? Why can't be just be normal or intelligent?
- Does An Abundance of Katherines make the argument that knowledge is best obtained through experience or formal education? What is the difference between the knowledge Colin has and the wisdom other characters have?
- Is Colin a genius? Why does he distinguish between prodigy and genius so much?
Chew on This
Colin isn't a genius and never will be. He simply spends more time working at being smart, so he appears more knowledgeable.
An Abundance of Katherines tells us that all knowledge is valuable in some way, whether it's delivered in factoids from Colin, or a formal university education from Hassan.