Good Readers and Good Writers is an article about the proper way to appreciate literature, written by a Russian Novelist named Vladimir Nabokov. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/nabokov/biography.html
What does Nabokov think makes a good reader?
Nabokov believes that in order to be a good reader, one must be imaginative, have a good memory, have access to a dictionary, and have some sort of an artistic sense. He thinks that it is important to be at a mental balance between the artistic and the scientific while you are reading.
Do you agree? What do you believe are the characteristics of a good reader?
I do agree, for the most part anyway. I think that imagination is a very important quality, because without it, reading would be one of the most boring activities imaginable. Also, memory is important because it ties together all of the images and emotions that are created from our imaginations as we read. I would argue however, that those two qualities are the only things that a person really needs to be able to enjoy a piece of literature. Of course having an artistic sense and a scientific mind can be very useful, especially when reading certain kinds of literature. I don't think that it's hard to agree though, that whether you are a highly successful physicist, or a penniless musician busking on the streets, there is probably a book out there that you can thoroughly enjoy.
Do you consider yourself a good reader?
I do. I certainly get enjoyment out of a good book, although I probably don't read as much as I would like to. I mostly enjoy reading fiction although some non-fiction can be interesting at times. I would consider myself to be somewhat of an artist as well as somewhat of a scientist, so by Vladimir Nabokov's definition, yes, I am a good reader.
Hey Harry,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your first journal. I do agree that having a imagination can be important to be a good reader. But I would like to say that I think good readers don't have to have a good imagination. I think this because, it is the authors job to paint a vivid picture in your head of what is going on in the story, you as the reader are just along for the ride. One thing I do think is important is to have a open mind about what the author is talking about because then you can really understand how he feels in the story.
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ReplyDeleteHarry,
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with your thought that all you need is a memory and imagination, but then I think about to be able to critically analysis a book you need to be able to get into the story but remain partly in this world so as to not get carried away and forget about analyzing it. So if you are reading a book for just reading then yes all you need is the memory and imagination, but if you are analyzing it you need the scientific approach and artistic sense. I too wish I could read more but with school it makes it hard. Keep up the good work.
Denise