"Papa, do you believe all the Shaker Law?"
"Most. I'm glad it's all writ down in the Book of Shaker."
"How do you know it's all writ down, Papa? You can't read."
Papa looked at me before he spoke.
"No, I cannot read. But our Law has been read to me. And because I could not read, I knew to listen with a full heart. It might be the last and only time I'd learn its meaning." (4.36-40)
Papa can't read, but even though he wishes he could, he wants Rob to know that reading isn't the only path to understanding.
P.S. The Book of Shaker isn't really a thing. Check out our section on "Setting" for more on that.
"Is he a better farmer than you, Papa?"
"Yes. He bests me at it. He wouldn't say to my face. But he knows and I know, and there's not a use in wording it."
"I don't want to grow up to be like Mr. Tanner. I want to be like you, Papa."
"I wouldn't wish that on a dead cat."
"I do, Papa. And I will. I'll be just like you."
"No, boy, you won't. You have your schooling. You'll read and write and cipher. And when you spray that orchard, you'll use the new things."
"Chemicals?"
"True. And you'll have more than farming to do. You won't have to leave your land to kill another man's hogs, and then ask for the grind meat with your hat in your hand." (12.54-61)
Papa sees education as a way for Rob to improve his lot in life and make him more prosperous than his father. He's interested in education not as an end in itself, but as a tangible way to increase Rob's skill as a farmer and, in turn, his future prospects.