Delaney Abajian
Eng102
Nabokov thinks that a good reader should not read with his heart and not with his brain but should read from his spine so that the reader can still be a little aloof and a little detached. The reader should have an imagination, memory, dictionary and some artistic sense. That a reader really doesn’t read a story, they reread it instead. I do agree with him because what his says makes perfect sense. When he said to pick four out of the ten for what would make a good reader, picked the four that he picked out, though I think that imagination and memory are the most important out of them all. I do understand that reading from the “spine” is where the real action takes place for a reader but I must impose that the heart and brain should also work together with the spine. That way there will be different angles to the story and in the end should come up pretty cohesive.
I believe that I reader must have a form of imagination and a good memory. The imagination because what is the purpose of reading a book if you are not willing to try to create the story in your mind while reading it? It just doesn’t make any sense. It would be the same as reading something and then blindly signing away and saying that you understood what you just read when in fact, you don’t. This must be the writer coming out of me in some form or another. I also think that memory is a great characteristic that a good reader should have because throughout a book and storyline, there will be certain points or information that a reader will need to remember so that when a part comes and the information is needed, the reader will know and not become confused. I think in general, it’s nice to have a good memory because it also works in the same effect for writers.
I think that I am a good reader, with some need of improvement in certain areas because I will pick up a book and look at it, then decide whether I want to read it at all. I can be very picky and that is a downfall for a reader because then you are blocking out other stories that could be good but I will never know since I have it in my mind what I like and don’t like. It makes me narrow minded in the sense of the word. So being more open would be a good thing but also keep in mind what I like and dislike for that too is important for a reader to have, in small doses that is.
Being aloof and a little detached are great points that Nabokov made that you mention first in your post. You mention the fact that he says a good reader will not read from his heart or his brain but from his spine. I think that this is important because a good balance between the two is absolutely necessary. If a reader approaches a book from the pure perspective of his heart then the experience of the book risks being colored and skewed from its original intent by the experience and emotions of the reader. On the other hand, to be too scientific and read from the brain the reader loses the ability to appreciate the emotion, imagery and art that the author was trying to impart to the reader. All in all, I think this was an important point that Nabokov made and you have acknowledged in your post.
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact that you mentioned the way Nabokov talked about reading from the spine and the tingling that is felt when you are reading with balance. I think that sometimes I have a hard time being detached from a piece of literature. Like you, I am very quick to judge at times and I walk away from a book that I might have actually liked but what is said on the back or even the title doesn't catch my attention. I have even gone as far as started reading a book and if it doesn't catch my attention in the first couple of chapters I put it down and never pick it up again. I would also like to be more open minded more about things to read but it hasn't worked for me yet.
ReplyDeleteRemembering the small details is important. If I go back to reread the same material after I first read something I commonly miss out the little details that the author included. At times these details are essential to understanding the author’s writing and I can’t believe I completely read over them. I am also very picky and quick to judge. People say they don’t judge a book by the cover but that is false. I can get a brief glimpse into what the book is about and make a snap decision not to read it. I guess I also am narrow minded in the sense that when I have an opinion on something I just block everything else out that challenges that opinion.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post on "Good Readers and Good Writers". I also found that after reading this article I have an area for improvement. I too find myself being narrow minded on choosing books. Usually, if the introduction didn't spark my interest or if I didn't like something the book contained I tend to place the book down. I think that will be my first goal of this semester; not being so picky on what I read but just be determined to read a book and enjoy it as a "good reader".
ReplyDeleteHi Delaneya
ReplyDeleteI have also at one point or another "judged a book by its cover". If I make the decision to read something for pleasure I will usually read the first few pages, or open to somewhere in the middle to read just a little. I guess I figure that if I am going to read something for fun, I should probably enjoy what I am reading.
I also agree that rereading is not always necessary. If it is "easy" to read and everything makes sense the first time, why would you go back and reread, unless of course you just wanted to enjoy a good part again.