You know what? I didn’t major in English because I couldn’t bear to dissect books and stories that I loved (or being made to read ones I didn’t want to read). I did have one British lit class in college that I found really interesting. But i was glad it wasn’t my primary subject matter.

As an adult, I’ve come to really value the ability to see the layers in writing. I think primarily it matters to me as a writer (even more than a reader). The purpose in seeing symbolism etc. is that it gives you a deeper sense of the message and beauty of the stories themselves. And it’s a bit like a treasure hunt – you have the joy of discovery of those intentional bits embedded in the writing. That gives me such a high now!

Anyone can learn to see the layers. It just takes a guide. Once you “speak that language,” you find yourself seeing things intuitively. It’s a bit like learning to appreciate art or playing piano. As you uncover the techniques that writers use to convey imagery, symbols, codes and beauty of language, you find yourself noticing them in the writing yourself. I find it easiest to start with poetry, then short stories and finally plays and novels.

If you feel unconfident, you can read along in one of the lit discussion groups to learn how to do it.

However, one caveat. it is absolutely not necessary to life and vitality to read literature on this level. Most kids are required to do it in one class in college. That’s it. Beyond that, the skill isn’t essential to being a successful adult. Just an enriched one.

Hope that helps!

Julie

I realized upon further thought today that my question could be perceived as a condemnation of literary analysis or negative comment on those who love it and/or think it essential.

Not at all my intention.

The reason I’ve asked the question here is because I greatly respect Jon and Julie and the entire Bravewriter approach and have found the people who post here/participate with them to be of the kind who challenges and encourages me.

You are the very ones in whom I feel confident enough to ask my candid questions. When I’m not sure of the reasons for doing something, I generally try to test out the thought, shake it, turn it upside and sideways, whatever it takes for me to feel like I’ve got a personal handle on the principle so I can choose a reasoned direction.

So, when I question something, I’m not suggesting it should be something different. I’m really only trying to get my thinking firmed up.

Hope I didn’t hurt anyone in the process of asking.

Cheers!

Elaine

How necessary or important is literature deconstruction/analysis for a person? On one hand, I wonder if as a student one just needs to know it because one will encounter it in college, regardless of future use. On the other hand, I suppose I see it a little as Elizabeth Bennett might have and think it should only be done as it gives one pleasure. My personal orientation is so strongly toward truth that I think I have a hard time giving too much time and effort to analysis if it’s just for the sake of being able to do it, since we are applying it to fiction.

What may seem inconsistent is that I personally love literature. I find a lot of pleasure in it and enjoy discussing plots and characters and the turn of a phrase. I think I would have enjoyed this no matter whether I had ever encountered it in school.

So, I guess this particular question boils down to (for me at this point, before any breakfast) how important is literary analysis for a student and how important is it in the scheme of life as a whole?

Thanks so much for in engaging in this discussion! You all are helping me greatly as I seek to clarify my thinking and educational approach.

el

Turns out though that he really likes Dickens. I had started by listening to a great audio recording of A Tale of Two Cities, which my son really enjoyed! We’re slowly progressing thru his other works. One book that really helped me appreciate Dickens was G.K. Chesterton’s “apology”. I can’t remember the title of the book, but Chesterton thought Dickens was a great man, and he pretty much convinced me. And made me eager to read Dickens’ other works. So now that we’ve gone thru Bleak House (book then movie) and Nicholas Nickleby (just the movie, which both boys [12 & 16] loved), we have Great Expectations on our plate.

RE: Moby Dick. Your comments about this novel reminded me of a book I recently finished listening to, The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Haye. I loved that story! A girl from Tasmania moves to NYC and because of her work at a 2nd hand/rare bookstore, she is drawn into an intrigue about a lost Melville novel. It really gave me a whole new appreciation for Melville. (It couldn’t go anywhere but up, I’m afraid.) The girl reads Moby Dick during the story. That’s the closest I’ve ever come to picking up Moby Dick, and I just may do it, now that you’ve reminded me of it again. I guess this book functioned like a really good teacher, someone who really loved Moby Dick. It opened me up to the pleasure that I might find there.

I also have to say something about the production of Silas Marner that I just listened to (I’m in the car a lot — can you tell?). What a terrific audio! The actor/reader did such a marvelous job with the dialog in that story and the characters that I could literally see them as he read. I seriously doubt whether I could have gotten as much out of my own reading of it. But having had this intro, the book itself seems much more approachable and attractive.

Listening to books seems to open up a whole new path in my mind to literature appreciation and understanding. I can approach them from a whole different angle as compared to reading them. And it enhances my reading of the books too. Just a thought for approaching authors that put you off.

Betsy

As your kids get older, many novels lend themselves to that deeper investigation. Our online literature discussions are designed to help kids (and moms reading along) to learn how to see those other levels.

You’re on the right track!