http://diplomaguide.com/articles/English_Literature_Courses_Offered_Free_by_Top_Schools_and_Universities.html
I completely agree with Nabokov. Being the mother of three children (more importantly, the mother of three children who do not have a television) reading is deeply appreciated in this house. I've always been a book lover, but over the past few years, reading to the boys brings back a sense of imagination and fantasy that I had lost somewhere along the way of newspaper articles and psychology textbooks. Nabokov said it best when he writes, "Literature is invention." (Nabokov 616). Here are some great tips on creating a more powerful imagination.
All in all, I feel the same way about what makes a reader a good reader. You need to approach every new story or poem with an open mind, and let it move you. Let the paths taken and the characters you meet make you love them, or hate them, or root for them passionately. While rereading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or Mr. Popper's Penguins with my boys has sent my affection for imaginative fiction through the roof, I'm eager to push myself further to become an even better reader with more mature literature.
Nikki, I like that what you got out of the article was different than the way I perceived it. When Nabokov was talking about how being able to relate to a character when you’re reading as a bad thing I disagreed. The way you’ve described that same idea here makes sense to me. I can see how letting go of biases and opinions is a great way to read a book so that you can take in all of the information and create this world in your mind that the author is describing. If you are relating to characters or drawing from your own experiences it would be a much different picture. I don’t think I’ve ever tried to read like that, but now I think I might have to try it. When I read I picture things so clearly, like if I were watching a movie. I never stopped to think if I was picturing my own ideas and what I wanted to see, or if I was really picturing what the author had in mind. A while back I went with my family to see one of the Harry Potter movies, the whole time I was getting really confused about what was going on and where we were at in the movie (I’ve read all the books first) and finally I realized that I thought we were seeing the movie ahead of the one we were actually in. The reason is that when I had read that book I had pictured it so clearly in my mind I thought I had already seen the movie! It’s amazing what our imagination can do if we let it.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, I think it’s amazing that you have 3 boys and no T.V.! I don’t think I could do that, but I think it’s a great idea. Also, I like your son Jackson’s name, that’s my son’s name too.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your good readers/good writers post. I was impressed with your comments about not having any biases or opinions and focusing with an open mind. I really enjoyed your comments regarding motherhood and re-focusing reading into your life and that of your boys. I am impressed that you are redirecting their creativity and imagination back to books, especially since you don't have a television. You appeared to me as an artistic soul in your video with no boundaries and it was refreshing. I enjoyed reading about Nabokov and getting his perspective of a good reader. I equally enjoyed reading your perspective of Nabokov. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with you about not having any biases and really reading with an open mind. I think a lot of people have a hard time with this because they can not take themselves out of the real world and allow themselves to really understand the book. I love when I can read a book and get lost in it. Great job on raising three boys and going to school full time. They must be very proud! Can't wait to read more of your posts!
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