How to Read
by Reading itself is an art, but many people see books only as entertainment. When we read this way, we don’t get the “themes” or meaning within the story.
Reading Is Powerful
Modern Americans don’t know how to read. Maybe most of the world doesn’t know how to read.
Not in the sense of recognizing “a,b,c,d…”-
Reading is about getting something from the written word. People in the past understood this because they had no other means of getting information. People passed around pamphlets, tracts and newsletters when they wanted to spread ideas. The American Revolution, the abolitionist movement, the French revolution- it all began with reading. When people wanted to enslave or oppress someone else, the first thing they did was inhibit their access to books and newspapers.
Image via Wikipedia
They knew the power of ink and paper.
Books Are Art- Not Entertainment
Today, we think of a book as a movie on paper. Books are classified as “entertainment” and we look for “pleasant reads, quick reads, funny reads, etc.”. Since we believe that a book is entertainment, when we sit down and read an unpleasant story, an ugly story our first reaction is horror. Does the author expect me to be amused by this? Do they want me to enjoy it?
This is what leads to the censorship of books: an inability to read. Reading is about evaluating a passage. The way you feel when you read it, the thoughts you have, the physical reaction- all of this is a part of the reading experience. An author who shows starving children is not saying that a child should starve.
So, for example, when you read the first chapter of The Color Purple, by Alice Walker and you read about Celie being brutally raped by her father and you feel disgust, sorrow, anger, revulsion- well, that’s exactly what you are supposed to feel.
Books Effect Our Emotions- On Purpose
The thousands of people who love this book do not love it because they enjoy thinking about incestuous rape. The book is not a pleasant read, even for its admirers. It is a story about abuse, in all its forms (sexual abuse, child abuse, racial, sexual & religious discrimination, imperialism) but in the end, the protagonist overcomes all of this (even becoming friends with her abusive husband) with friendship, spirituality and love. That’s why it touches people: Celie overcomes the horror.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentAlistair Briggs
On March 30, 2009 at 5:53 am
Brilliant, well written, hope many people take on some of the pointers here.
nutuba
On March 30, 2009 at 6:17 am
Wonderfully done! You’ve captured the importance and power of the written word … excellent insight!
Mr Ghaz
On March 30, 2009 at 6:18 am
Great work! That was lovely and well presented advices.I loved it! Thanx for sharing
Daisy Peasblossom
On March 30, 2009 at 7:23 am
yes. the difference between reading and decoding.
Kate Smedley
On March 30, 2009 at 7:55 am
Excellent article Stephanie, your passion for reading shines through and you make some very valid points.
OhSugar
On March 30, 2009 at 9:35 am
I love this article, and I also love reading. I have read several of the banned books. I thank you for reminding us how beautiful reading is and how powerful knowledge,through reading is.
payge
On March 30, 2009 at 9:43 am
A great article and I loved the color purple.I am a bookworm that never wants to reform.I will read anything that is bought or given to me.You made good points that are helpful.Some people dont realize that you can travel to whatever place you are reading about and never have to leave your home.All it takes is a touch of imagination,enjoyed reading this.
Jo Oliver
On March 30, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Stephanie,
I know that you and I often disagree, but this was such a moving piece. I feel the exact same way. And, you summed up all of the issues that I have with literacy, parental oversight, critical analysis, etc.. The Color Purple was an excellent example. The story stirs feelings and reaches the ekk factor on so many issues from abuse to racism. But, that emotional stir is the very reason it is such a wonderful read. The Diary of Ann Frank would be another example.
I just published an article today about the book series Twilight. I read a “Why to hate..” article last night. I found the reasons to hate the series so absurd that I couldn’t help but make a rebuttal. I listed the authors complaints and responded but, I would have liked to have delved deeper into the some of the issues that you addressed here. I might add the link to this article in my comment section if you don’t mind, or you can feel free to do so? Let me know?
George W Whitehead
On March 30, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Well written, Stephanie. I think possibly people of my generation can read in your sense of meaning. We were brought up listening to the radio which meant you had to ’see’ the programme being broadcasted in your minds eye. This technique was also applied to the written word, so if, for the sake of argument, you were reading ‘Ivanhoe’, you got to picture him exactly how Sir Walter Scott wanted you to.
Jo Oliver
On March 30, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I also buzzed this article up!
Paul Corvus
On March 30, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Congrats, you have done a good job of tackling what I think is one of the biggest problems with humanity – a lack of reading! Its true, I like your point about how ironic it is that technology and the media tell us how important reading is while simultaniously working to make it obsolete.
rutherfranc
On March 31, 2009 at 12:55 am
oh, thanks for sharing.. this gave me a sense of justification about all the reading that I am doing..
Emma J Kerry
On March 31, 2009 at 2:19 am
An amazing article! I love reading and agree with everything you say here.
papaleng
On March 31, 2009 at 9:44 pm
a well-written article full of great points.
CutestPrincess
On April 2, 2009 at 6:18 am
some good points…
Kimberly Moore
On April 2, 2009 at 7:58 am
I adore wisdom and ur article! Great Job!
Ana
On January 15, 2010 at 9:54 am
Wonderful!
This is what reading is about!
It’s amazing how much damage fear and prejudice can do to our ability to read to understand ideas and get them or forget them.
Sadly the reason young people are better at this is because they had yet to be corrupted by the norm or the need to fill an Status Quo, so growing up their little social circles where the can’t get info beyond what they know and what they like and that if you ever question it or try to get something different you can lose your social position. It’s like segregation all over again but instead of being about race, color and gender is about what is acceptable on certain social circles.