I took a big draft of my beer, warmed by my reminiscences, and quietly delighted at the thought that my schooldays were forever behind me, that never again for as long as I lived would I have to bevel an edge or elucidate the principles of the Volstead Act in not less than 250 words or give even a mouse-sized shit about which far-flung countries produce jute and what they do with it. It is a thought that never fails to cheer me. In
In this passage, the narrator reflects on their past school experiences with a sense of relief and satisfaction. They savor a beer while contemplating the end of their academic obligations, expressing joy at no longer having to engage in tedious tasks like writing lengthy essays or memorizing subjects that seem irrelevant to their adult life.
The narrator's nostalgia is tinged with a comical sense of freedom, highlighting a common sentiment that many feel upon leaving school. The carefree attitude underscores a desire to move on to more enjoyable and fulfilling experiences, illustrating a universal transition from the structured demands of education to the liberating possibilities of adulthood.