In the novel, Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, the primary reason Kya doesn't return to school is because she is ashamed that she doesn't have the same knowledge as the other students.
On her first day of school, when she is asked to spell, "dog," aloud in class, she is embarrased, because, despite knowing the letters, she's never had to spell a word out loud. She spells it as "G-o-d" and the entire class laughs at her. Kya is so upset, she vows not to return to school, reasoning, "Why put maself [sic] up for being laughed at?"
Kya feels at home in the marsh, realizing it has taught her skills she'd never learn in a classroom, such as "coo[ing] like a dove," or digging for mussels as a way to support herself. During her years in the marsh, her knowledge of the wildlife, biology, etc., grows by leaps and bounds, which is clearly demonstrated in the books she eventually publishes.
In Delia Owens' novel, Where the Crawdads Sing, the character of Kya chooses to leave school because, in her view, she has a better chance of learning things by watching birds and collecting shells. Kya finds the world of nature to be a more richly rewarding school than school itself. Thus, ironically, she leaves school to enrich her educational opportunities. After Kya leaves school, she has a joyous reunion with her beloved birds: "Above the roar of pounding waves, Kya called to the birds." Whereas Kya was unable to speak in school, where she suffered from acute social discomfort, she feels joyous and open to learning while she is in nature. Owens uses the scene in which Kya briefly tries out going to school only to reject it as a way of showing how unconventional and courageous Kya is. She is also rebellious and independent, as her decision to leave school prompts a critical response from adults. A man wearing a fedora hat comes searching for her, but even he gives up after a while. Kya is left with the musical "cawing of the crows."
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