IS IT A POINTLESS EXERCISE?

OR IS THERE SOMETHING BEHIND

THE VEIL OF WORDS?

The How and Why of Reading

Why Literature Matters

We read literature for a variety of reasonsreasons, but above all, we do it because language is a uniquely human looking glass into and of the mind.

Written language belongs solely to human beings. Through story-telling we learn to see ourselves from many perspectivesperspectives and on many levelslevels. We think in narrative and largely in words.

Literature is a mirror that shows us who and what we are: how we appear, what it means to be human, & how we see ourselves.

The Many Reasons Why We Read

For delight or entertainment.

To learn something new.To reflect on ourselves.To discover or affirm

values, truths.To escape from reality.To remember where we

come from.To see the world from a

different angle.

Presuppositions Affect Comprehension

When you read, your own values, experiences, tastes, personality, level of education, general knowledge, and situation affect the way you understand a text. These can empower or limit your reading.

Consider both what you think the text means, and what you think the author is trying to say.

Read, Re-read, and then Read Again

We will be reading assigned texts hermeneutically, focused on the art of interpretation.

Remember to always look up any words or ideas you do not know.

Remember: The text doesn’t change once it has

been written down. You, however, will.

Each reading will reveal new ideas & connections.

No valuable text is meant to be read just once , be it visual, verbal, musical, digital, or mathematical.

Reading Hermeneutically

The hermeneutic circle refers to the circle of interpretation that is involved in the understanding of knowledge. This approach to reading acknowledges that understanding and knowledge is a cycle of exposure to information (texts), interpretation, then re-exposure to texts.

Subsequent exposure to a text offers closer inspection and new insights.

For more on the hermeneutic tradition: http://staffweb.hkbu.edu.hk/ppp/tp4/top06.html

The Four Levels of Interpretation

4. Anagogical: Universal context—how the idea relates to all of mankind; humanistic principles or values on the broadest scale; highest level of abstraction.

3. Allegorical: The moral and temporal level meaning of the text; combines literal and metaphorical elements into a narrative unity as an extended metaphor; the whole that is greater than the sum of its parts—the moral of the story.

2. Metaphorical: One-for-one symbolic association between specific details in a text and their symbolic or connotative meanings; comparisons created between isolated objects representing more abstract ideas or things. Initial deconstruction of the whole into parts. (implicit)

1. Literal: The base description or summary of the most obvious textual reading; the denotative building blocks.; the surface level summary based on simple denotative meaning (explicit)

Adapted from Dante Alighieri’s Il Convivio.

Tips for Successful Reading

Read the text all the way through, first, for a general overview.

Read again and notate: define unfamiliar words, highlight key phrases or passages, write paragraph or section topics/themes in the margins (reverse outline).

Look for important elements within the text, especially any repeating images, acts, words, or phrases.

Think Before You Write

Keep a journal of your thoughts and ideas about the text as you are reading.

Write in your book; mark the pages: highlight, underline, create your own symbol system for key ideas.

Give yourself enough time to read, think, and write.Focus on themes or ideas that resonate with you and then

use that feeling to inspire your responses.Look at the assignment before you read & keep it in mind.

On Literary Analysis

Stay focused on the requirements of the assignment: pick one angle of approach and stick with it. You can’t cover everything!

Summary ≠ Analysis Analysis means “to breakdown.” This kind of engagement with the text

requires evidence (textual examples), explanation, and logical reasoning. Do not summarize, analyze.

Always go back to the text: examples should be taken directly from the reading (quotes, paraphrase, summary) to support your interpretation. Give the reader specifics to show where and how the text illustrates your point.

Take a position and prove it. Be confident in your reading.

Final Thoughts

Reading can be fun and enlightening at the same time. Don’t approach the texts as work, but as a way of expanding your own imagination.

Make sure you stay organized and take advantage of the resources at your disposal.

Remember, language and story are what set human beings apart, so find the value in your pursuit. If you can open your mind, you may find yourself reflected in poetic riddles and literary imaginings.