Prompt
2 Are
you normally a rereader? Is rereading only for those who don't understand the
text on the first reading? What is your experience with rereading and its
importance?
Rereading, in my experience, has been solely for the purpose of understanding the text. The only times I can recall of having any inclination of rereading is when I have no grasp of what is being said. Ideally I should reread the text two or three times no matter the level of understanding I have. However, being the apathetic person that I am, I feel it becomes rather boring. I struggle to maintain interest in words that I have already read. Once I feel that I have a basic understanding of the work I tend to move on without a glance back to reflect. To linger on insignificant details seems pointless and for lack of better words a waste of my time. This is largely attributed to the fact that once I have interpret a section of text, it is difficult to find a different meaning within, no matter the amount of rereads I do. Perhaps this is due to my stubbornness as a person, or lack of interest in reevaluating the data, but either way rereading is not a strategy I utilize often. Perhaps if I were to read a piece and discuss it then I would be more inclined to think differently during the next reading of the work. Maybe even annotating the text would help me reassess my thoughts, but I have established that, personally, annotating text pulls me out of the reading. It makes reading a book seem more like busy work. Which in turn makes me not want to read the body of work at all.
Andrew, Like you said, different genres of texts require varying degrees of mental dexterity. And yes, it is hard at times to be completely invested in something of which you have no interest. Yet, I believe the problem is not an apathetic attitude towards the punctilious melodies of literature. I believe to be that our generation is bereft of the wherewithal to completely disconnect from reality and simply let ourselves become immersed in another world for an extended period of time. Deep down, I know it's not the idea that your time is being wasted that disgruntles your feelings towards literature. Life and all the chaos that comes with it has clouded our capabilities to unwind and let go. It is a frustrating predicament. So, now we hide behind sorry excuses of being uninterested in works like the magnificent prose of Hemingway and the poetic savoir fare of Shakespeare to make up for our muddled potential. I suggest we all adopt and begin to practice meditation to help calm the mind so that we can return to our natural state, and once again escape through our books.
You mention in your response that you do not enjoy wasting time on 'insignificant details.' I am wondering what books you are reading that contain such things. In the books I have read, every word played an important role in the author's work of art. Every aspect of a book was placed there for a reason. What you see as an 'insignificant detail' could actually be a symbol of some deeper meaning, a reference to another piece of literature that adds to the meaning of the book being read, or even some aspect of the author's personal experiences. These aspects of a piece of literature greatly add to the overall experience of reading. They should be cherished, not cast aside as 'insignificant.'If, when reading literature, you come across something that appears 'insignificant', you most likely are missing something the author intended you to understand. You should definitely reread that book.
I feel like you trap inside of your own little box inside of another box. Meaning that you really don't see and don't want to see that more possibilities and other finds that is put in mind. Rereading isn't only just that for anyone you doesn't understand the text. It's also people that enjoy the book or text really much that they just like rereading it. Also everyone rereads in their life not only because they didn't understand the text or misread it but also just simple enjoyment. Take yourself for instance when you were younger there was probably a book that you enjoy hearing a or reading yourself, so you reread it and reread it until you wanted to do something else. Rereading is in everyone's life style. I'm not trying to crack open your mind to make you see this or make you change your opinion just saying just have a open mind towards things you find the sky much bluer and the grass greener that way.
I'm not saying rereading isn't valuable; I just tend not to take part in it. It's not because I'm close minded I actually like to think that I am very in depth with my analysis of meaning. However, I believe that rereading is the least effective way to uncover meaning. I'm speaking of real meaning. Not some convoluted, tainted meaning that has been twisted into something so far from the original context that it no longer holds importance. Instead of rereading and hoping some new information jumps out at me I believe its better just to think about the subject, it requires less work can yield the same results. Also, rereading for enjoyment is irrelevant. I simply said rereading to find new meaning is not worth while (in my opinion). If you want to reread for enjoyment be my guest. Furthermore, please do not insinuate that I am close minded because I don’t reread. Rereading is just one tool that can be used, I have just found another method that I believe is more enjoyable and effective.
Andrew, it's interesting that you have never considered approaching a piece of text (particularly a favorite novel or such) for the purpose of extracting meaning from your previous responses to a text or to experience (or re-experience) a new or old emotional response to the text. While many consider the former tedious and analytically unhelpful, many people I know have been encouraged to reread a text or story for an emotionally based response. When reading a more complicated book, I also feel it’s possible to miss some level of the text even if it initially appears that one fully understands it. In many cases, you can never uncover all the layers.
Andrew, I know what you mean; but I think you bring up the issue that different texts require different kinds of reading, and that we all approach a text (which can be infinitely defined), with various purposes. I would never re-read the directions for coloring my hair; but I do re-read Billy Collins and Robert Frost over and over again, because it's beautiful and reminds me about living a good life. It's sort of like seeing movies more than once. After the first viewing, we're not out to "understand" the text per se. But a movie we love somehow holds us; we return to things that remind us, define us, perplex us, make us feel, etc., etc. The "re-reading" fufills more than just basic plot needs. I think that maybe what happens with great art--movies, literature, paintings--we return to them because they hold some sort of mystique for us.
And yes, annotating helps me focus and go deeper with a text! Re-reading for beauty, appreciation, and personal meaning can never be busy work. Maybe you must haven't found a text that speak loudly enough to you to invite you back. I totally understand this. Plus, we often just don't have the time to keep re-reading. Sometimes, for me, just re-reading certain parts of a text is fulfilling and makes the text richer. Mac
Andrew, I am excited for you to discover the nuances literature can offer. You are so right that discussion and annotation enhance the work, but I think you'll find it's really not about the words as much as the ideas. Annotation won't seem so mechanical when it becomes a record of an insight or clarification that you don't want to let slip away.
I agree with Amy that often there are only passages that require a second look or appreciation just because they so wonderfully express.
Thinking about literacy is the first of many steps. I can hardly wait to begin! SBL
Whenever I reread a text, I always feel like I find new meaning or new pieces of whatever it is that I'm reading. I am the type of person that can read a book 20 times and find something new in it every time, so I feel like rereading not only makes meaning, but it also reveals new parts of the plot. However, I don't think that if you reread it means that you didn't understand the text the first time. It could mean that that individual reader saw something that others may not have seen or simply that they misread it the first time.
I, however, usually reread to make meaning and make sure that I read something right if a sentence or paragraph seems out of place or strange. Typically, though, I don’t like to do DE notes, annotating, and things like that. Generally, they distract me and make me lose focus in what I’m reading. For example, if I’m becoming really intrigued in the middle of a book, educational or otherwise, and I have to stop to write something down or record what I’m reading, I tend to have trouble getting back into the focus I had before. After that my reading just isn’t the same and I don’t feel the same way about what I’m trying to read.
In addition to trying to get as much as I can out of a book, I have a tendency to reread because I have a mild form of dyslexia. In an educational setting, this is typically to my advantage because I have usually read the text more than other students and it also helps give me a sense of confidence in talking about the text.
Vivian, A helpful technique for annotation and the resultant DE note is to bracket or underline a noteworthy passage or even word and then go back to that place in the text after you have finished a chapter. That way your train of thought would be only minimally interrupted and you can still revisit the passage. SBL
i agree with that rereading could also mean that an individual reader saw something that others may have not seen or simply that they misread it the first time. It's completely true rereading does open many doors of something new towards it. In the DE notes I'm the same way, but Mrs. L helpful technique for annotationing and resulting DE notes does work wonderfully , but you could change it up in a way that you think that your brain would remember it better with. Also that awesome that you use your mild dyslexia as a advantage to both give you a confidence booster and help expand you educational knowledge.
Mrs. L, I do try to do that as much as possible, but sometimes I still have trouble annotating. It's usually easier for me to read something completely through before trying to take it apart and analyze the big picture. But I'll try to remember that tip next time!
And Jasmine, I'm glad that someone else sees it like I do. Most people I know think that rereading is for people who don't understand what they're reading, but every time I reread anything I find new meaning. It's as if as we become more familiar with what we're reading, we see new meaning behind everything
I get the same thing when I write in books: I lose that focus and then I feel awkwardly confused and out-of-place. I read Mrs. McElroy's reply, though, where she suggests to make a bracket and then go back. I'm going to try that. I also see something new every time I reread. It's a really awesome feeling to see something you didn't notice before (especially for me because I stink at noticing anything). But I can't read anything all the way through without at least looking at what just happened at the end of a chapter or an event because I might not have grasped the important points and it hurts me later. So many reading styles - it's kind of crazy how many people do the same thing countless different ways.
Vivian, You bring up a very good point that I did not think of in my post. When I am reading a book I also have a hard time annotating and doing DE notes because I somehow always find myself side-tracked or day-dreaming. If I was interested in the book before I stopped to annotate or write something down, then there is no way that I am able to recover after that. I find it very hard to become interested in school assigned books. I wish I could find it easy to reread books like you. I feel as though it would have made my high school experience better because I would have understood more.
I think it depends on the text and its purpose to me personally as to whether I do any rereading or not. Probably many others will agree with me when I say that Harry Potter has been a series our generation has continually gone back to over the years just for entertainment alone, but many other books have almost become these vessels of memories and nostalgia for me as a reader; rereading them takes me back to the mindset I was in at the time, what was going on when I read it, and eventually leads me to understand why it particularly resonated, even if I had no idea why while reading. However, I think that poems and books from a different time period almost require rereading to fully understand and interpret the messages, and the purposes of those texts differ greatly from the kinds of books we can pick up in the Young Adult section today. In my experience, some strange evolution over the years has separated the idea of both a wholesome and entertaining book into either one or the other, and even though I do believe that the right book at the right time will say a lot of things to one person as opposed to another, rereading for understanding and rereading for a laugh or a cry are two different things. Not that you don't get the same results out of each, but I think the consciousness levels are different; you can pick up new information in a much-loved book and not even realize it during a reread, but the whole task is more likely to feel like work when you knowingly root through a text for symbols, allusions, etc. when you wouldn't have otherwise. (And as a nod to Andrew, curiosity may even be the biggest factor in really understanding any literature at all, who knows.)
Abby, Just as you said,"...it depends on the text and its purpose..." or more specifically your purpose for reading. There are certainly different purposes for reading as there are different texts to read. The memories and feeling books evoke are similar to songs or movies. Everyone has his/her favorites, and sometimes it's just a chorus or a scene that gives us the flood of feelings or thoughts we loved in the past. It's very important to establish the purpose for reading going in to the text so that the reading strategies needed will kick in. I agree, an innate curiosity to discover or learn is probably the best motivation of all. SBL
Abby, I agree that it feels like a daunting task when one has to reread through a book because they need to look for symbols, etc., but I sometimes reread to look for those if it is like Fight Club because a lot of the literary devices cannot be found until after the full book has been read. I also can relate with rereading books for our emotional attachment with the piece, I tend to do it too, but even some books I have read that have some literary merit I have reread like The Life of Pi. I also understand more details of a book if I reread it even if it is for enjoyment, however for a literary purpose I tend to understand more about what the author means by each element he employs since I know the ending. ADB
Abby, how did I know you would include a Harry Potter reference? I agree that it probably is the series of our generation, and a perfect example of rereading. I know personally that I have read each of the books at least twice. I also agree that rereading full books depends on the text. For purposes of enjoyment versus academics, no one would voluntarily read something that they hated more than once.
I found your point about past time periods totally valid. I’m in agreement: works produced in a certain time period almost require rereading. Writings from the past never cease to amaze me. While their language is often extremely different, and at many times hard to understand, (hence the rereading), their messages are usually timeless.
Abby, I wrote my post before I read yours and I realized we both used Harry Potter in our blogs. Also, we both share the same opinion about books that come from different time periods, majority of the time they need to be reread to completely grasp the concept. What I thought was very interesting about your post and something I had not thought about was that people might reread not for the story but the memories the story brings back. For instance, if a person had a close family member die while in the middle of a story they might continue to reread that book cause it brings back memories of the deceased family member. This is a concept I never even imagined but it makes complete sense now.
I am a rereader only in a certain sense. I do not reread anything due to lack of understanding. If I have trouble understanding a text, I will pace myself to facilitate better absorption of the materials, but I will not reread the materials. That is not to say that rereading is solely a task for those who do not understand. I often reread texts, sometimes more than once. As Abby mentioned, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has been a cornerstone of reading in our generation. These are texts that I have grown up with and that I go back to quite often (once a year if time allows). I do not reread these books because I do not understand them or because I cannot follow along. I do not reread them because I'm searching for deeper meaning or hidden messages. I reread Harry Potter because it's enjoyable. The story is well-written and elicits emotions that I can find in no other places. For texts like Harry Potter, I return because I have an emotional investment in the characters and the story. I have spent hours reading the books and anticipating Harry's next actions. By rereading these books I can experience the same emotions that I experienced long ago. Books are time capsules into which we deposit our thoughts and feelings and out of which we can withdraw them at a later date. Greater understanding is sure to come from this interaction, but that is not the point.
Abby mentioned that poetry is somewhat different than prose. I will agree that sometimes the ideas and emotions expressed in poetry are harder to discern than in other works, but I stick with my strategy of slowing down the reading experience rather than rereading. I leave my sponge on the countertop to soak a pool of water; I do not dab the sponge with the hopes that the pool will one day be gone, as if death by a thousand paper cuts.
Rereading has never been important for me to understand a text so much as for me to enjoy all the the text has to offer. It allows my mind to expand, taking in every detail of the piece that might have been missed the first time. Once the basics are down, rereading allows me to go under the surface and truly discover a work, not just understand the work.
David, I am interested in this idea of emotional investment. I love Harry Potter for this same reason. I'm wondering though, if it is possible for us to enjoy and connect with a text even if we are not emotionally invested. Could there be something like "intellecutally invested" maybe? Mac
Ben, I love how you so openly shared with us your deep admiration for Harry Potter. I could really sense the authentic endearment you have for the stories and characters. As always, your vocabulary and insight excel, and this response concerning revision is no exception. I do agree that some works elicit "emotions that I can find in no other places." Books like, "A Prayer for Owen Meany," and Mitch Album's, "For One More Day," are works that will always have a special place on my bookshelf because they evoke genuine nostalgia and appreciation for the human experience. Like you and Harry Potter, I will forever feel emotional investment to these works.
Intriguing, Ben. I wholeheartedly agree with your position on the matter (despite not having read Harry Potter), but your habit of pacing yourself “to facilitate better absorption of the materials” instead of just rereading seems unusual to me. Is this just your habit in general, or do you literally apply this to yourself in each and every instance? Personally, I find the idea of this to be exceptionally difficult for me to put into practice. If I read something too slowly (because my normal pace is quite rapid), then I have a tendency to become quite bored and start thinking about other things while my eyes still move over the paper, despite the lack of cognizant awareness. The same thing happens when I read something that is unusually cryptic or complex and requires more than just surface-level thinking to understand. Does this sort of thing happen when you read, or does an altered pace overcome this? For me, slow and steady runs off course during the race, but it seems to work for you.
Oh, and a side note: I love the paper cut metaphor!
Ben, I completely understand your example of the emotional attachment to the novels like Harry Potter. When the seventh Potter book was released, I made the decision to buy it tout de suite. But before I opened the front cover, I realized that it had been more than a year since I had read the sixth novel in the series. I decided then to reread the first six in order to prepare myself for the dramatic conclusion which the seventh held in the binding. I see that for you, rereading is not a tool, but rather a hobby meant for pleasure.
Your response is well written and your points well received; and for the most part, I agree with you. I have always reread simply for enjoyment, never for a lack of understanding, just as you have. Though when I reread my favorite books, mainly those of a certain depth, I always seem to pick up a new detail or a possible allusion that I had never noticed the last time I read that particular book. If I am constantly picking up new parcels of information and meaning, does that mean I am rereading for content as well as enjoyment? I am just wondering if you do the same, and if that point would change, or at least make you think about your views of rereading.
Ben, I do not know if I have heard (or read in this case) speak so passionately and eloquently about Harry Potter but I completely agree. If time permitted I would love to reread the entire series.
I found myself in the exact opposite position though. The only times I usually reread something is for understanding, and I would so rarely reread for pleasure besides the few books I mentioned in my response. Sometimes I find it difficult to reread certain things for enjoyment when I know there are so many more books, music, and movies that I have yet to discover for even the first time. Isn’t it weird though, how we can re-watch a favorite movie 50+ times, but even our favorite book we might only be able to reread two or three times.
Ben, as with nearly every other commenter, I loved that you talked about Harry Potter. I mentioned it in my own post on this topic, for much the same reason you did.
Nerdy though this is, I'll be going to a Harry Potter convention called LeakyCon in Chicago the weekend before school starts. And looking through the schedule for that, I found that there were such discussion panels as "the morality of Severus Snape", "Hogwarts professors and the Roman pantheon", and "the deathly hallows and Arthurian legend". It reinforced my belief that although it's obviously wonderful to reread Harry Potter for the emotional value, there are deeper meanings to be found if one has the background knowledge and the inclination.
David, while I find your position very interesting, I must say that I am fascinated with your theory concerning pacing. Like Brian, I often find myself less than focused on a particular text when I feel the pace is too slow (regardless of the amount of absorbed content) and wish to question the applicability of such a proposition. Is it possible to fully understand references that are consciously made to be undecodable before finishing the novel once? Similarly, while I thoroughly enjoyed following Potter's academics and adventures, I never felt as though it was the sole book I could invest myself within emotionally or analytically, novels like Pipi Longstocking, Heidi, or certain fantasy novels were much more engaging emotionally and analytically (personally). Is it not possible to enjoyably engage in such an analysis with any number of books (if not most)? What makes Harry Potter so special to this generation?
I reread only if I feel as if to reread the text would benefit me more than the first read, like in Honors Program when we read Fight Club, I felt like I needed to reread it to pick up on some of the clues the author leaves but you can't understand on the first read. On a regular basis, no I do not reread unless say the book is from a really long series I might skim through the books before it to remember what has happened or if I really enjoyed the book then I tend to reread them. The most rereading I do is maybe reread a section of the book I am currently reading especially if I get confused or find the point being presented interesting—also if I get distracted while I am reading and do not comprehend the words I just read.
No, rereading is not just for those who do not understand the text at first, it can also be if you really enjoy the book or don’t quite remember what it was about and reread the text. Most tend to reread because they do not understand even if it is just a sentence or a whole text. I tend to think most reread a section of a text not the entire piece.
There are only two books which would have any literary merit that I have read: Fight Club and The Things They Carried. I reread them mostly because you find a greater understanding of the text after you have completely read it. I picked up in Fight Club that the main character was going to have the multi-personality disorder mostly due to what I read between the lines. When I reread Fight Club I noticed more of the foreshadowing effects of the book after I finished it. I believe rereading to be important in order to understand and find literary elements easier, plus more understanding on what they mean to the story. It also allows you to feel confident in making your own opinion on what a text is about.
Amber, I really felt this way too about Fight Club. In fact, as soon as I finished it I turned to the first page and read again. It was the strangest reading experience for me. Sometimes things begin to fall in place on a re-read. Foreshadowing all of a sudden makes sense. Not only do you enter the "world" of that book, but that character's minds! Mac
Amber, Your first sentence was very long and could use revision. Throughout your response I found many mistakes. Your third paragraph begins with this sentence: “There are only two books which would have any literary merit that I have read.” This sentence makes it sound like you have only ever read two books with any literary merit. It was rather off putting. I suggest you take the time to "reread" what you write before you click the publish icon. I do like the fact that you enjoyed Fight Club. I can really tell you understood and appreciated the artistic aspects of one of the twentieth centuries most profound beloved novels.
When I study a text, whether for pleasure or for a more scholastic reason, I sometimes find myself having to go back and reread. I am not stating that my ability to understand a text is lacking. Personally, I feel like literature and long drawn out narratives are detrimental to the hectic day to day schedule of the today's average suburbanite. For instance, I am always in a rush. So, when I finally sit down to read a literary work I tend to swiftly rummage through the chapters with no real enthusiasm for the story that lay before my eyes. Before long, I realize the story has slipped away from my understanding, leaving me destitute and bewildered with no other choice but to go back and reread. This cycle consequently engulfs twice as much time as it should have leaving me behind and put off once again by literature.
I am a facts guy. I like to get straight to the point. Long descriptive passages detailing minute nuances are unwarranted in todays fast paced society. No one has time anymore for four hundred pages of dramatic subtleties. For example, in The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck dedicates an entire chapter to the description of a lone turtle's struggle to reach the other side of the road. Is this really necessary? I do not believe so. The whole chapter can be omitted and the story will stay unchanged. Sure, some can say that I don't appreciate the adroit art behind literature, but like so many others, I value my time. So, skip over all the clutter and GET TO THE POINT.
Evan, Ah, the turtle chapter. Perhaps in your hectic world you should stop and smell the roses or at least the significance. Take time to see the portraits painted by Steinbeck's prose. Give Grapes a chance. Believe me, we are busy, too, and we would never waste your time on "clutter." Just keep reading. There's much to be revealed. SBL
I would argue that the turtle chapter is very important to setting up the story. As expressed in How to Read Literature like a Professor, one of the key elements to understanding literature is picking out what could symbolize something or foreshadow an event later on in the text. Before we even meet the Joads, the story of the turtle slowly carrying his heavy burden of a shell across the land tells a lot about the type of families that live in this environment and what they must deal with to survive. I believe this chapter is probably even more important than the physical descriptions of the Joads because it portrays their struggles in a way that straight facts could not do justice. We can already form an opinion of the unforgiving landscape from this chapter alone before we even read about the particular problems that plague that family.
Even though you have to go through many hectic challenges during most of your days or all of them. I would have to say (in my opinion) that isn't really a quite excuse to go by on unless there are days that are serious that causes an dramatic toll in your life style. I'm happy to know that you do go back and reread the story to grab the understanding of the book or text, but in each chapter of any book you have to read or just read in enjoyment there is huge importance that puts up in the story. Abby Humphreys does have a point in "How to Read Literature like a Professor" it does make a clear point of the one of the key elements in understanding any literature is literally picking out what could symbolize or foreshadow in a later event of the story. You should twist and turn you schedule around to make time to read some of it at least to see the significance of the chapter to the entire story.
Evan, I love your enthusiasm and appreciate how you can easily relate to the struggles of the average student. Extra-curriculars consume so much time on a day-to-day basis and can ultimately lead to severe procrastination. As stated, this distracts from understanding the author's true purpose and message and eventually will lead to limited or no progress at all. I also love how you apply lengthy readings to our fast paced contemporary society. I understand long, drawn out passages and chapters such as the one mentioned in Grapes of Wrath can be extremely boring, but it all relates to the author's purpose in some way. In the words of Mrs. Leach, "Just keep reading. There is much to be revealed."
I agree with Evan. When growing up with the ability to access countless amounts of information in seconds through the internet, it becomes very difficult to sit down and take the time to read through a text without feeling like it is wasting time. This becomes just like walking and driving. While walking allows the person to enjoy the journey and better themselves through exercise, driving allows them to get the job done much faster with little effort. This allows them to get on with their next task much faster, and ironically, find more time to enjoy themselves. In most cases, sadly, efficiency trumps enjoyment.
Jameson, I would have to take a stance opposing yours in this matter. It is true that we live in a fast paced society, and without the extra "clutter" we would be able to sift through more information quicker. But we must slow down and ask ourselves why we read. If its a news story or educational text, we read it to be updated with information in a quest to attain as much knowledge as we can quickly. In this scenario we find that the clutter is unnecessary. But in a novel we read for the experience and enjoyment of it. In this situation it is not about the breadth of books we read, but the depth we read into them, so we can fully delight in the story the author is trying to convey to us. In most cases efficiency trumps enjoyment, but I would have to say this is not one of those cases.
Evan, There is a certain elegance in eloquent language. One of my favorite poems, while very short, exhibits this (it's written by the oh-so-popular Emily Dickinson): Forbidden fruit a flavor has That lawful orchards mock; How luscious lies the pea within The pod that Duty locks!
There's a lot of meaning in just these four lines, almost wholly analytically. The entire poem displays a sort of beauty, simply in the word choice. While part of the excellence in this poem is, in fact, that it's so short and resonate, chapters like The Turtle allow us to experience even more of this type of prose of language. Without the biblically resonate background of the poem, it's almost plain. Spending time inside a book, slowly analyzing it and reveling in the language and meaning can be deeply rewarding. Why read, if you're not looking for a story or searching for classical, timeless language?
When I read for enjoyment, I usually do not reread the text unless I feel like I missed an important fact or idea, didn't understand something, or if my mind just simply wandered. Reading for education is quite different for me, especially if I have to answer lots of questions based on the given text. I tend to reread facts so I can remember them better. I feel that rereading weighs down my reading experience; I cannot focus solely on the text when thinking other things I have to remember about it. Even though I feel weighed down, I must admit that I do retain the information better and absorb more of the words and grammar rather than if I just read through the text once.
Rereading is not bad for the reader. I can recall various teachers through out years telling my class that "rereading shows a stronger reader, they pay more attention to the text and want to soak in everything." When I was younger, I thought it was a waste of time. Now that I'm older, I understand and agree with my teachers. For example, I had some trouble with The Aeneid and The Odyssey. I would read it once and not fully understand what was happening. After class discussion with Mrs. Mac, I would reread and catch so many things I didn't see before. This would not only help me understand the story, but help me with class discussion topics and writings. Same goes with some texts for honors program and free reading.
Lauren, Reading is unique in that it is both a solitary and a communal activity. Mostly we are by ourselves on the porch or in our chair or wherever reading alone; but in the end, it's that time when we come together when the text begins to become something greater. I too feel the text expand and become clearer when I'm in a group discussing it. Mac
Lauren, I'm like that when it comes to a class reading. After reading and discussing, I usually see so many things I didn't before. Like when we read A Modest Proposal in English last year, I understood that satire and what he was saying, but after hearing what everyone had to say, I saw even more in the text. I think that rereading is great, but group discussion is even greater. It also gives a chance for ideas to come out. But I think that in terms of reading for school I feel like having to look for more details and remember more makes the reading harder. I prefer to read books for pleasure without all the stress
Vivian, I remember that! I remember thinking satire wouldn't be my thing (turns out I was basically wrong), but the more I read and discussed, the more I enjoyed it. I also sprouted my own ideas off class discussion and reading. Sometimes it sparks a personal memory or story or it'll create a new idea on its own. On another note, I know you've already read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. I watched both movies first and then read the book (silly of me). I'm around half way through and I appreciate the text more and catch more detail than the movie. It's like finding buried treasure that was in front of you the entire time, but was in all the wrong places you looked. I guess that could be a "form" (?) to rereading, just with different media.
I completely identify with you when you say rereading is somewhat of a bother, but it really does help sometimes! Even on tests, I thought rereading the question was incredibly silly, but recently I realized that we aren't all exactly geniuses and we do not pick up every single detail upon the first reading. My lesson was learned when I took the SAT for the first time and scored horribly because I rushed through every passage and didn't bother going back and reading over it a second time. I then retook the test and read each passage twice, and my score literally doubled. I suppose we all have different ways of retaining information and we just have to go through a series of trials and errors to figure out what's best for each of us.
This is a general comment to some of the posts. Students often feel like re-reading or DE notes, etc. are a distraction to the process. If the goal is to read and "get through it" then I suppose that would be ture. But it's the time in which we pause, reflect, re-read that we gain new insights and understanding. Most of the texts we read are not plot based--you don't just read through for understanding. There are layers. In order to recognize and appreciate those layers, one must learn to slow down and read in new ways. Mac
When i usually read books out of enjoyment for my myself, i don't reread the text or entire page until i didn't quite understand in what they are saying or don't understand certain words. When it comes towards just reading for a school assignment, for instance,i almost always reread just to make sure i know what the plot of the story or text is and understand the words that are provided that i haven't seen before. An experience of rereading that i have done in my past was when i was reading " The Crucible" in this play/story there was several words that i haven't seen before or heard before in my life and there were also quite a number of times i would had to reread just because i didn't understand what they were saying.
Rereading is very important to apply to your life style because you don't know that out of no-where you might seen something in one way but the next day see it in the other way. Take a movie at the movie theaters for a instance you have seen it at the movies and you know what's basically about a couple days later the movie comes out in DVD and you buy it and watch it again. You then notice there are things or parts in the movie you didn't see before. You watch again to make sure and then you make a definite decision that there were parts you really didn't notice or quite understand, until you re-seen it. This relates to rereading in books. Need it for the less rereading is NOT ONLY for those who don't understand the text on the first rereading, it basically for everyone. Rereading can go towards to a person that don't understand what they have read or a person rereading a favorite book. Just depends you situation and the person behind the pages. :D
Jasmine, I agree with you very much that every time through a text, whether print or visual, something is revealed. It may not always be something new but may be something more that you saw or realized the first time. As someone else referenced, exploring text is often like peeling off the layers of an onion. Rereading definitely doesn't mean a reader is deficient in any way. SBL
Hi Jasmine, Yes, I think there are many purposes for re-reading or "re-viewing," but I think sometimes enjoyment can even be one. There are books that I dearly love and returning to them brings much fulfillment! Mrs. Mac
Every piece of literature contains many layers of meaning. In addition to the actual plot, there are allegories, symbols, and other hidden messages placed in the pages of every book by its author. Regardless of the reader's dedication or investment in a piece of literature, these extra layers can easily be missed. Of course, some readers will only focus on the plot, and many others will be in too great of a rush to notice anything other than what a class assignment requires of them. However, the dedicated reader also misses much of a book's meaning if the book is read only once. In "How to Read Literature Like a Professor", Foster argues that all literature is connected to other pieces of literature. Characters resemble characters from different books; symbols often times express the same idea throughout literature. These connections give the work a stronger meaning to those who can perceive them. He gives an example of a piece with a character resembling a character from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Any student in this class will have read Hamlet and would be able to immediately make the connection, and their reading experience would be greatly enhanced. What about the readers who have not read Hamlet? They will not be able to understand the connection and will only be reading at the most basic level. What if the connection is to a work not as popular as Hamlet? Then even the well-read students in senior level literature classes could miss the connection THE FIRST TIME THE PIECE IS READ. If, for example, a student read Harry Potter without first reading Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities." The reader will entirely miss the obvious similarities between Sydney Carton and Severus Snape. But when he goes to read Harry Potter again, after "A Tale of Two Cities", he will realize the connection. Most readers will continue to read other books before rereading; therefore, their ability to make these connections is greatly enhanced. Rereading, therefore, gives a reader a greater understanding of the book being read. I reread a lot of my books because it helps me understand what the book really means. I am now looking forward to rereading “Grapes of Wrath.” Since I first read this book, I have read several other works by Steinbeck, a little bit more of Shakespeare, and some modern novels. I hope that the things I learned from these books will help me when better understand “Grapes of Wrath.” Since I already know what will happen to the characters, I will be able to focus more on these connections and deeper meaning within the text.
What you said about Harry Potter and A Tale of Two Cities really interested me, because I have never caught those similarities between Snape and Carton—even though I’ve read both a couple of times. Of course now what makes them so similar is quite plain to see. In fact I had always thought of Snape as a kind of Heathcliff, who was consumed with jealousy and hate because he couldn’t be with Catherine—there was little to redeem Heathcliff except tragedy. Now as I see it Snape’s character is completely transformed. For rather than being entirely consumed with his love for Lilly and hate for James he has enough compassion and love to be good (like Carton); it always seemed to me that he was driven for love of Lilly and indebtedness to Dumbledore; now it is only love of Lilly. This is a breakthrough...Thanks.
I like the connections you are drawing from Rereading text. Even still, I argue that the same connections can be drawn by other methods. If rereading is what you enjoy by all means do so, but please understand that a text can be further analyzed without it. I strongly believe that reading other peers reviews or discussing topics can be far more effective. Just like rereading discussion allows for multiple interpretations of the text, however unlike rereading it also enables the readers to refute or support any ideas that are presented. I would also like to touch upon your statement about multiple layers of meaning. While I agree that multiple layers exist, I would also like to present the option of a very literal meaning. Like I’ve stated many times before it’s just as important to be able to see a house for a house, as opposed to seeing it as some allusion or metaphor. The significance of seeing meaning as the author intends is where I deviate from Foster. Foster believes in creating meaning, and that this meaning is important. I believe only intended meaning is important.
Jack, I must say that I completely agree with you. Intertextuality is an essentially part of any book. While I've yet to read A Tale of Two Cities, I must say that I've always had a particular dislike of Snape's expectancy of empathy and self assigned tragedian status. Based only on Emily's response, I find it difficult to look at Snape as solely motivated by love. Regardless, he is one of many characters who simply attract analysis. I can understand Andrew's viewpoint, to an extent. When the hunt for symbolism becomes a hunt only for the sake of the hunt and stops adding to overall analysis and resonance of the piece, it becomes destructive to the text. In most cases, however, such is not an immediate concern.
Jack, Intertextuality is a valuable tool. When readers make connections-text to text, text to self, text to life- literature becomes much richer and more worthwhile. Literature enhances life by enabling us to learn from the themes and characters and applying lessons learned to our own lives. We gain discernment, personally and socially. Connecting what we already know to new information is the most basic way to learn. SBL
Personally, I’m a huge rereader. If I read a good book (as most of mine are), than I’m apt to treat it just like any good movie or song: I want to experience it again. For me, reading a book is much like blazing a path through a forest. I’m not looking around at every single bird or flower I see; I’m focused on getting through the bushes, around the trees, and over the rocks. However, the second time I walk the path again, I can take my time. After all, I’ve already made the trail and gotten through the hardest parts. On the second journey, I’m able to be more casual and perhaps stop and examine an interesting fungal growth on a tree, or stare at the clouds without worrying about a misstep or getting lost. I already know where I’m going. And each trip gets easier and easier to traverse, since I’m already familiar with the terrain. It allows me to spend more time on the surroundings and relish the joy in just walking or all the things around me.
And that’s how I read books, except with less dirt and mosquitoes. The first time I open the cover, I’m thrust into the beginning of a plot. At the time, I have no idea what’s going on so I must take it a page at a time. Slowly, as chapters pass and the plot thickens, I begin to understand what’s going on. When I finish with the last page, and it’s a pretty good book, I’m sad that it’s over. The sadness is often a result of being unable to continuously appreciate the novel and all the little things the author slipped into it. That’s why I like rereading books. The second time around, I can pick up on the subtle things that build upon the story and develop it into a masterpiece. I can laugh to myself about knowing the end result and watching a character struggle through his or her scripted life. I’m able to to remember all the little parts of the book that made me chuckle and enjoy them once again. Anticipation wells within me as I wait for a really good part to happen. As well, since I’ve already read the book and I generally know what’s going to happen, rereading allows me to think about the novel more while reading it. What if the character did this or that? What if this were somehow occurring in the real world (I’m weird, so sue me) and how would the people really react or respond? What if I was in the book? Etcetera.
Rereading allows me to squeeze every last drop of fun out of a book. It’s not just because I may not understand a passage, but it’s to get the most out of the print. After all, if I don’t like a book, I don’t really want to read it once. But if I enjoy it, I’d like to experience it again and again and again.
I like the idea that characters have a 'scripted life'. Everything that happens to a character is predetermined. Once the character's destination is understood during the first reading of a text, the reader can attempt to better understand why and how he got to that destination during a second or third reading. Perhaps a hidden truth about a character is revealed towards the end of a book. During a second reading, with that truth already revealed, certain decisions made by that character might make more sense. With the predetermined destination already known, during a second reading, the reader can focus on the twists and turns the character made to get there. Thus, the reader develops a better understanding of the character.
I envy your ability to reread whatever book you please with such ease and excitement. Sadly, I am not a rereader, I find the process extremely challenging. There are numerous books I would enjoy rereading but cannot bring myself to do so unless it is for the sake of school. It seems my problem lies in the area in which you thrive, knowing the characters thoughts and actions makes me lose interest in the book. I think my wanting to know the unknown is the motivation that drives me through a book and without that motivation i cannot bring myself to successfully complete a reread.
I must say that in many ways, I agree with your interpretation of rereading a text. I appreciate texts that can withstand such. However, like Ms. McElroy, I also enjoy the language present in the text during both my first and following reads. While both your post and many of those above and below it address analysis during a rereading, I see very few that contemplate the analysis of a text outside of the text. This infinitely interesting to me—that we, as a group, do not take a text outside of the covers it resides within.
Brian, I love the "blazing a path" simile and the journey metaphor. You are obviously a reader and a writer. For me, it's about experiencing the artistry of a text--not just story. This is why a book like Twilight or Hunger Games keeps me reading for plot and character, but there is no substance, no art. I would never re-read these texts. I think re-reading is often reserved for great art! Mrs. Mac
Rereading has never been something that I put much time into. If I am to reread a passage or book, it's most likely because an assignment asked a question about a detail to which I only gave a passing glance. I rarely reread books that I read for personal pleasure, only ones that classes force upon me. If I do take the time to reread without the cold hands of academics shoving me into the action, it will be either years later--making the details and intricacies of the plot seem new and exciting again--or it will be during my initial reading--going back after a major event to check on a hint or recall a detail. The latter of the two is much more common. This isn't to say that I don't see much importance in reliving and reveling in a story. I'm just an... "impatient" reader, for lack of a better word. I can't sit still long enough for most books, yet I can't stand stories which don't provide a deep backstory and an intricate plot. It serves as a bit of a paradox. I know many readers who love rereading and finding new aspects of the novels that they missed before, but I have trouble sitting down to read a book for the first time. Any of the small group of books which I have been able to get caught up in (which I know there are more of out there but have a hard time finding) even with my picky paradoxical prerequisites does the same to me as those who spend day in and day out reading and rereading. I always get more out of these books when I go back to reread them. I'm just a bit harder than most to draw into and hold within a story.
Chandler, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this because we are very similar in the sense that we both would rather not go back on any text. However, in reference to my post, "I understood that it was necessary to reexamine many texts. In order to do so, I needed to reread." Knowing that you are well gifted in many subjects, I think both you and I would agree that we gotta do what we gotta do. I also love how you distinguish the difference between the "importance in reliving and reveling in a story" and being impatient with a text. Well written.
I agree with you in the sense that rereading has not been something I've ever put much time into. Also when I do find myself rereading it's because I have an assignment that asked a question therefore I return to the book or passage so I can reread to find the answer. I would also consider myself and impatient reader, I can't sit still long enough to read a book the first time hardly. Let along to reread it when I already know the outcome. Although I'll admit the one time I did reread I beleive I got more out of it, but it goes back to not having the time concept.
Chandler, I also agree in the sense that rereading has not been something I put to much time into. Like you,I also tend to do the most rereading when I have an assignment that askes a question about a novel or passage. However, I also find myself rereading when I do not fully understand what the text is saying. I am also an impatient reader, I would much rather be doing something physically active then rereading a text. I do believe that rereading a text is most of the time beneficial, it helps the reader to fully understand what they have read and may help clear up anything that they were confused about.
I find myself rereading texts often, but for varying reasons. In my mind, for the most part, I divide my reading texts into two seperate categories: readings for pleasure and readings for school. Between those two categories is where I find the dividing line of my reason for rereading.
When it comes to acedemic readings, I often find my mind drifting while reading, mostly do to lack of interest in the selection. When this happens, I can have "read" through several pages of a book but not obtained any of the information because my mind was elsewhere. Once I realize how far I've gotten withouth actually paying attention to anything, I give myself a pep talk and go back to where my understanding left off. For this reason, sometimes it can take me long time to get through an assignment, which is especially a problem when the assignment is to be completeted in class. For instance, this past year in AP Language we did many in class rehtorical analysis essays, which usually involved reading a lengthy essay and then responding to it in our paper. Those were a weakness for me because I usually did have to reread the passage several times, some being because I missed things and others being to get down to the details for my essay. While it can be irritating to have to reread for a reason other than pleasure, I know that I always get everything I need to get from the reading in the end.
As for reading for pleasure, my repetativeness comes from personal desire to get everything the author had in store for the reader. The book that I find myself rereading the most is the Bible. I enjoy reading this because there is some much detail and motive packed into every passage, even every sentence that I don't want to miss a thing. I can read a passage and get the overall gist of what it's saying. But when I go through and read it again, more slowly and carefully, I can come to a whole new conclusion at the end. By rereading I can also pick up on specific words chosen to decribe something over another. Since the Bible was written in a different time period, looking up the trasnlation of the word and what it really meant during that time can really make the difference in the meaning and the whole idea.
Molly, I really understand your point about the difference between reading selections for school and those for pleasure. With school, a text is basically forced upon you (Sorry teachers.) and you must, in turn, force yourself to understand the piece or else you may fall behind in the curriculum. But when compared with a book for pleasure, such as the Bible in your case, you are emotionally invested, which makes the reading fun and that, in turn, helps you to catch the more minute details of the text. It is reasons like yours which makes me think that teachers should assign texts not based solely on curriculum alone, but with the students' interests in mind. The summer before sophomore year was a good example, as in "The Glass Castle", the main character spent the majority of her adolescence in a small town in West Virginia. That was an attempt at our interests, and to get our interests again, books should also be assigned on a common theme with a consensus of interest.
I can fully relate to your entire view on rereading. I agree that the book or passage determines the purpose for rereading. Like you, if I am not interested in what I am reading then I struggle with paying attention. Therefore, I must go back, reread, and make sure I focus the next time through. However, when I am reading a piece that interests me I often reread text that I enjoyed to gain better insight or evoke emotion and feeling I felt the first time reading it. Each purpose is beneficial for me even though like most people, I prefer rereading for pure pleasure.
I agree with you when you say "varying reasons". One either reads because it is required or because one recieves enjoyment from doing so. I seem to drift a little no matter what I am reading, but especially when it's something I'm not interested in which just so happens to consistantly, repetitively be academically chosen readings. I also find myself taking longer to read these academic readings because I'm constantly going back to reread because my mind was elsewhere! I can't help it if I'm not interested in what some classes or teachers assign, it just seems a bit repetitive. Especially when I know many other students feel the same.
Molly, I would also divide my reading into two seperate categories: readings for pleasure and readings for school. Like you, when reading a school related book that I am not very interested in I have trouble focusing on what the text is saying and find myself rereading it over and over again until I fully understand what it is saying so I will not fall behind on the curriculum. However, when I am reading a piece that I have picked myslef I find myself paying closer attention to what is being said therefore, I do not have to reread as much.
Am I a rereader? After sitting around thinking about this for approximately a week, I have decided that I am and I am not.
The term "rereading" could have several variations and I have come up with two to justify my answer above. When reading a novel, a passage, a short story--any form of literature, really--I reread separate pages as I go along. I have a terrible attention span and can only stay concentrated on something I'm not completely engaged in for a few minutes, sometimes even seconds, before something catches my eye or I remember something interesting. "Spacing out" is such a cliche, but I do it all the time. One minute I'll be reading, and before I know it I'll be watching my cat roll around on my floor or checking my phone. For example, I have a terribly boring job; I work in a candy store at an amusement park and I might get five customers in eight hours. So, to keep myself busy, I brought "Hamlet" along. I've never been very fond of Shakespeare (am I going to get lynched for saying that as an AP lit student?) but I knew I had to embrace it and just buckle down and read it. As I mentioned before, at work, I could sit for hours doing literally nothing. I opened up my copy of "Hamlet," and a mere few minutes later, I realized I was playing solitaire on my phone. This happened several times before I finally gave up and decided it would be better to read at home. It is in this sense that I am a rereader. I'll read a few paragraphs, get distracted, forget what's happening, and have to reread the last paragraph I just read. I also have to constantly flip back a few pages or chapters to reference an earlier event or character to make connections in order to make sense of anything confusing (i.e. "Hamlet").
However, I am not a rereader when it comes to picking up a material I've already read and reading the entire thing, start to finish, over again. I've had this problem since I was little; I couldn't even read picture books over again. I suppose that most of the time I read for the plot. If the literature doesn't have a plot, I'm not interested, and if I've read it, I already know what's going to happen and the surprise and suspense is gone. For me, it's like going to see a movie after your friend just told you the ending. The only book I've ever been able to reread was "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut because I've always thought that the plot of this particular novel wasn't the most important aspect. The book has so many elements that they're easily forgotten, so I still enjoy rereading it; this is why "Breakfast of Champions" is my favorite novel I've ever read. Books with simple language and a straightforward plot, to me, aren't worth my time rereading when I could be reading something completely new to me.
I “space out,” as well. One thing, I don’t think I mentioned in my blog is the point you made about rereading due to this “spacing out.” If I didn’t get so dis- Oh! Look a squirrel!, then I would be able to breeze through books, but since I my attention span doesn’t exist, I have to reread because when I read it goes in one ear and out the other. It’s like what happens when my mother talks to me. I also can’t “speed read,” for when I try this, I don’t retain anything I read. Don’t worry Ellie, you’re not alone. Hey, we should start a support group!
Ellie- I also forgot about "spacing out", but it is a very bad habit of mine. I tend to start reading one section or paragraph and then find myself thinking about something that is completely irrelevant! Dylan made a good point when he said that he wasn't a speed reader, because I am quite possibly the slowest reader in the world. This happened to me while reading 'Hamlet'. I opened up the first page of the book and caught myself rereading it one hundred times. Since we live in such a technologically advanced world, I devised a new plan! I downloaded the audiobook onto my IPad and read the book while listening to the different voices. By listening to the audiobook, one can establish emotions and understand how each character is played. When I finally understood what was going on, I was able to read the play by myself, but I had a huge understanding of what was going on. Seriously though, I will totally join this support group!!
Rereading, to me, is a tool to help understand a text to a more full degree. I typically will reread a passage in a novel or, more often, a Shakespearian play to better grasp the meaning of the language used as well as the context of the literary situation. I would not say, however, that one could label me as a rereader. I don’t practice the popular study skill of doing something over and over until it is ingrained in my mind, so I do not read something over and over again until a sudden epiphany surprises me with the answer to my queries.
Along with my beliefs of rereading, I do not believe rereading is only a tool meant for those lacking understanding of a text. Rereading is a tool made for all readers to take advantage of (Because really how long could it take to read that paragraph again?). Although rereading is primarily used for grasping the meaning of a text, it is also commonly used as a form of enjoyment among readers. For example, a passage in a novel could be amusing and make the reader laugh. That reader may subconsciously make a decision to read that humorous passage again and again until they curb their enthusiasm.
An experience that I’ve had with rereading happened during the summer before my freshman year of high school, in which I was battling “To Kill A Mockingbird” in an attempt to decipher Harper Lee’s 1930s law jargon as well as the sayings of the era and dialect of the Alabama town where the story takes place. I didn’t reread the novel, per say, and in fact I fell asleep in the first 50 pages. What I did to understand the plot was watch the movie. I regret to say that it helped, but it goes to show that there is more than one way to reread a text. So, to recap, I am not a rereader.
Sam, I can relate to most of what you've said here. I don't consider myself a rereader, however, for similar reasons to your own. I'll reread paragraphs or sentences in complicated texts such as Shakespearian plays or other writings where unusual phrases and dialects are used in order to solidify the meaning in my mind. However, more often I tend to zone out after an extended period of reading and find myself needing to go back to where my train of thought was derailed. My rereading is more to get my mind involved back in the text than to recap and gain understanding, so it definitely is not just a tool for those lacking understanding of a text.
Sam, You bring up a very interesting point. Are there multiple ways to reread something? I agree that there are. If we think of the idea and concept behind rereading we see its just attaining information we had already glimpsed over. Though the literal form of rereading would require us to read the text again, the same concept is in place if we acquire the information again through a different form of media. Of course the different forms of media would have to have the same plot and all the elements of a story in order for you to be gaining the same information again.
In terms of full bodies of text, such as complete books, plays, poems, etc… I am not normally a rereader. I usually don’t read something from cover to cover multiple times; it takes an exceptional piece of writing to invoke that caliber of interest in me. In the past, my experiences with rereading entire pieces of literature were solely for the purpose of enjoyment. It is rare, however, that I read something which I like that much.
Rereading small pieces or passages of an overall work of literature is common for me. Usually this happens more with the academic aspects of reading. Failure to understand or grasp what the author is trying to say the first time around results in rereading a paragraph or two. In my opinion, rereading isn’t just for those who don’t understand, however. Anything can cause someone to read a passage more than once. Sometimes, language is just so beautiful that a reader is taken aback and must reread (see the works of William Shakespeare). Sometimes, a piece of text can be so surreal that one will have to reread just to be sure they comprehended an insane message (“Alice in Wonderland“, “Through the Looking Glass“). Different people have different reasons for rereading; it is not simply for those who lack understanding.
Rereading has its benefits, of course. As with everything, though, it also has its drawbacks. Reading a piece of text too many times can lost all meaning for the reader. Analysis which delves too deep into what could perhaps be a face-value message could very well convolute the author’s intent for the ambitious reader.
I am a re-reader. I always try to find time to reread, or re-listen, or re-familiarize myself with a text; I have found that returning to a story really helps me absorb all aspects of what I read. Not everyone should have to reread if they dislike it or find no value in it; however, it seems that many people would struggle to understand something fully the first time they pass through a book. Understanding often comes from repetition, familiarization, appreciation, and a broader field to refer to. Rereading offers a perfect opportunity for me, and I think many others, to tap into deeper understanding using improved mental resources. I have found that rereading gives me more out of the reading experience; for one thing I often miss details that going back through I can catch. I truly believe that with rereading there comes a deeper, richer level of understanding and even appreciation for a work especially because there already exists a familiarity with the basic structure or story. If I wait and return to a story after some time I have noticed that often times I can better understand the various nuances or tricks that enrich the story. I will have more experiences and knowledge to use and relate back to when I reread. After reading a book like Foster’s, it proves that there will always be something to find inside of the text. So rereading presents the opportunity to try out his tricks on old favorites. Truly understanding and knowing anything that one reads or studies helps further personal knowledge and appreciation. The first time I read a book I often seem to become overwhelmed by the basic storyline and struggle to appreciate those deeper meanings often so important to the full enjoyment of readings. So by going back I can take the time to analyze the basic story further
Emily, Although we had slightly different views on rereading full texts, I liked your point about how important it is to re-familiarize oneself with a piece of literature. I’m assuming that this can be particularly helpful in a classroom setting, so I’m sure we will all get some real-life experience with this soon enough. Your assertion that “there will always be something to find inside of the text” interests me. I never thought of that, but I suppose that if one looks deep enough and analyzes enough, that could be very true. In this way, I can totally see how rereading can be beneficial.
Emily, You make very insightful points about the rereading experience. I definitely agree that reading through a text multiple times enriches one’s understanding of the work and helps one develop a deeper appreciation for its message. In order to grasp a book’s full significance, one must receive more than a basic introduction; going back through a work a second time allows one to analyze and pick up on key details that may have not been apparent upon first glance. It is true that more complex works can seem “overwhelming” at first, but after studying a text further, it becomes much easier to piece together its meaning and appreciate its message on a more profound scale.
Emily, While reading your post it made me think of how it relates to other real world examples. Anytime one is writing something and they can't find anything wrong with it, it is best for them to step away from the piece and come back to it later with fresh eyes so that they aren't still on the same train of thought. This technique is not only useful in literature. Any time one is in a creative rut or have been working on the same puzzle/problem for hours, this is also a useful tactic for them to use to get them where they need to be to solve whatever they are having trouble with.
Throughout several years of evaluating texts, especially in recent years, I have discovered that rereading is vitally important to fully understand the author's message. Growing up, I thought rereading was unnecessary. However, as I gradually matured and I came across more complex reading material, I understood that it was necessary to reexamine many texts. In order to do so, I needed to reread. Although rereading can be time consuming, I realize that elements of the author's rhetoric become more and more apparent as I reread.
I have also discovered through my own experience that rereading can also be beneficial to one's own writing. As I dwell upon the previous year in AP Language, I recall numerous assignments requiring the student to assess the author's style then write about how the author conveyed their message. Naturally, as a person reads a text for the first time he/she will not do a thorough examination and look for how the author may employ various rhetorical devices. Rather, a person most likely desires a basic understanding then inquires about the devices utilized in the text. For example, if one may take interest in evaluating this post, he/she would most likely have to reread it because they would have limited understanding of the post. Therefore, to claim rereading is only for those who don't understand a text the first time around would be illogical. Through experience, I guarantee anyone that if they reread a text, they will have a much greater understanding of the text than they did before.
I agree that reading a passage one time will not allow the reader to thoroughly examine and discover the many rhetorical devices used by the author. Like you, I learned this in AP Language. I would acquire a general understanding of the text before rereading to depict the various elements used to create it. Taking the time to reread passages helps one to gain insight that may have been missed the first time through. By analyzing pieces of literature and looking for small details the reader gains a deeper, more in-depth understanding of it. This process not only makes improved, more precise readers, but also writers.
Luke I wholeheartedly agree with your post. As a reader I normally fail to pick up on most rhetorical devices used by an author after just one time through. This is most likely due to the fact that the first time I read a text it is for the sole purpose of understanding the story and concept of the book. However, the second or perhaps even the third time I read a book I am able to dissect the author's writing style and also pick up little nuances that enrich the text. Like both you and Kelsie, I found being able to pick up on the authors use of rhetorical devices to be extremely helpful in the rhetorical analysis essay on the AP exam.
I am going to be blunt. I am not, generally, a rereader. I don’t often see a point in it. The only times I reread is when I need to extract specific information from a text for school assignments. I go by this guideline when I read: If I don’t remember it the first time I read, then it must not be too important and not worth going back over. Rereading is not just for people who don’t understand text the first time through, though.
Rereading has many uses. For those who are philosophers, rereading might aid them in unearthing a deeper meaning from a text. Rereading might be useful if one wishes to get better acquainted with characters in a text. By connecting with the characters, reading can become more engaging, thus by knowing the characters, readers can get more out of a text.
My experiences with rereading haven’t been very pleasant. This has been mostly due me not liking a book to begin with, and then having to do an assignment on it. I have Attention Deficit Disorder and staying focused isn’t my forte, so if I don’t absolutely love a book, I only retain the basic plot. This is why I am often in the dark about things like “What does this say about that?” or “What does the author mean by…?.”
I suppose I should reread text more. It would simplify things for me a lot. Getting the most I can of a text will probably be essential for surviving this class.
I absolutely, positively, and completely agree with you!!!! I believe the only time I have ever reread anything was for something important such as testing; SAT, ACT, AP testing, etc. I have a hard time staying interested and focused also! If a book does not intrigue me in the first couple chapters then it is nearly impossible for me to finish the whole book. I love those questions on tests that say, "what does the author mean in lines 65-78" because I can go straight to that specific place and read a few places ahead and a few places after and understand what they are talking about. i should also learn to reread more in order to be successful in this class!
I completely relate with what you're saying here, Dylan. School assignments and standardized tests are about the only reasons I reread texts. It's necessary to a point when a question asks about what is meant in line 27, so what's the point in rereading before you look at the questions? Why would I waste time rereading the first paragraph and gaining a deep understanding there if the questions only ask about the second? School and testing ruin reading in my opinion. On another note, I feel I should make a slightly unorthodox point about rereading. You mentioned your ADD and how it affects your reading and understanding, so I wanted to make a point about a different way of reliving a plot. I know that you're a fairly avid gamer, so I wanted to pose the question of whether or not you enjoy replaying games. I understand this isn't quite "rereading", and I'm sure some of the literature "nuts" (for lack of a better word) will want to slap me after reading this. However, it is a way of reliving a story and reexamining the details contained within, especially in storyline-heavy games. I suspect that you can relate to this, so I wanted to ask the question (in the form of a statement, of course).
"The only times I reread is when I need to extract specific information from a text for school assignments." YES. Primarily, I only reread to find something in order to prepare myself for discussion or in search of support for an argument on that text. Then have been a few times I reread for enjoyment or curiousity, but that is extremely rare. Dylan, I'm glad you came to the conclusion that rereading is important and beneficial. I am not ADD but I do find it very difficult to focus on reading something I do not particularly enjoy, however, unless we do not completely dive into the work, we may never experience what the author is truly telling us, or may never come to ideas that were provoked by deep reading and rereading.
For me, rereading is a tool that I utilize often when attempting to discern a text. Contrary to some of my classmates I do not reread for enjoyment, but instead I reread with a rather stoic mindset. I do this because rereading in this way allows for a reader to ascertain the author's true meaning without muddling the text with his/her own beliefs. This sort of impassive view toward reading scholarly and highly philosophical works such as, The Grapes of Wrath, has led me to grow as a reader. To me, progression is key in becoming a more literate person. As such, rereading is not only for people who do not comprehend the text the first time, but for any person who wants to try and perfect their skills as a reader. Reading is a skill like any other. In order to perfect a skill one might find themselves doing the same thing over and over again. For example, as a baseball player I hit off of a stationary tee for hours at a time in order to perfect my craft. An outsider looking in may question this seemingly ineffective method of becoming a better hitter, yet it is one of the most crucial workouts for a baseball player. The same concept applies to rereading. It is not until one tries and experiences the benefits for themselves that that person truly understands the usefulness of rereading. Therefore, one must have the presence of mind to be open to previously discounted methods. That is even if it is something as simple as rereading an old book.
Well, I have to reread. If I don't, it fells like I may be missing something the author is trying to tell me, and if I miss that something, then the authors purpose is distorted in my eyes. Imagine, if you will, a giant jigsaw puzzle each piece serves a purpose for the greater meaning of any text whether it be from the Bible, from the mythologies of the Greeks and Romans, or from the local newspaper. If I miss something the author said, then there is a hole in my puzzle.I'm missing a piece. I have to the find the missing piece, and in order to find that piece witch could very well unlock the greater meaning of the text I have to reread. If not for a second time, but for a third or forth or fifth, even. So, unlike a gifted few or many, they can piece together what the author is saying ,and why, and what action the author is trying to bring their readers too, and how the author is persuading their readers to action. I have to reread in order to piece together the puzzle the author has given me. If I don't paranoia sets ,and, I have to.
So, rereading isn't always for the ones who miss the meaning at first glance. It could be very well an odd, if not, good habit to have. It takes me longer to finish a text, but I can walk away knowing I have collected all the knowledge I need to decide whether or not I need to take action on an inward scale or an outward scale. Reading is all about the meaning, and the meaning is the purpose of the author.
Blake, You present quite a compelling analogy when you compare rereading to searching for pieces in a puzzle. I have never considered reading in that way before, as a hunt for missing clues. I agree that rereading is key to understanding a text and one must dig beneath the surface of a work in order to uncover its full significance. As you have said, “reading is all about the meaning,” and it takes more than a brief skim through a text to grasp the entirety of the author’s message. Writing is overflowing with hidden meaning and symbolism, which are only revealed after a thorough examination of a piece. Even though it may take longer to reread sections in a work, the extra thought one devotes to a text will help uncover crucial pieces to the literary puzzle.
Blake, while I agree that it's incredibly important to analyze a text and understand it as fully as possible (especially as it was intended), many of these texts are deeply influenced or reference works or events that have been lost in time or memories. To extend on your metaphor this would mean that perhaps some child had eaten, buried, or in some way destroyed the puzzle piece such that it was taken away. To you this would mean the puzzle could never be completed, even with a full understanding of every other piece. Such an image is haunting and irksome, yet as often as this happens with Shakespeare's or other author's works, we still enjoy what has remained. We can, in fact, feel resolved or pleased after a reading which, personally, would not parallel my feelings of completing a puzzle (except for the one piece). Or, alternatively, many of the books we see today are relatively ditzy and mortal. A puzzle representative might be that of a child's, of which I have very little satisfaction completing.
I’ve had many enjoyable experiences rereading books. When I read, I am first and foremost experiencing the book emotionally, and any detail-oriented analytical information I pick up is a side effect of being immersed in the narrative. As much as I value critical reading, I just can’t focus on the literary quality of a work the first time through, unless the book fails to do its job of having an engaging story and characters. Rereading works I enjoyed is a chance for me to pick them over and look for elements I may have missed the first time, details of character or place or symbolism that improve the book on a conscious rather than visceral level. It is by no means necessary for me to enjoy a work, but rather a way to continue enjoying something I particularly love.
I reread things for other reasons as well, however. With enough time in between each reread, whole dimensions of favorite stories may appear under the new lense of gained experience, offering a reading experience that is at once comfortingly familiar and entirely new. I reread the Harry Potter books, for example, when I feel like it’s been a little too long since I’ve visited Hogwarts. I may not be gleaning new literary details by reading Order of the Phoenix for the fifth time, but I am experiencing a well-loved story differently than I did when I was fourteen, or twelve, or nine, or seven.
The above may not be true for others who see rereading as tedious or as a sign of inattention and poor comprehension rather than as an appreciation of depth in works of fiction, but I suspect that I will always have a weakness for revisiting those worlds that I love most.
Katie, I feel like we have identical feelings toward rereading. I myself, while never having read the works of Rowling, have my own book series that I enjoy trawling through every so often. It’s like going to an amusement park you’ve gone to throughout your entire childhood: it’s the same as it’s always been, but you get such a rush every time you return. You ride the same rides each time, but you occasionally try out the recently installed one, or the one you didn’t have time for on the last journey. And you can never get to be too old for amusement parks.
However, I do notice that your attitude towards rereading seems to be primarily focused on reading for pleasure. Do you apply this same mindset toward works of a more scholarly level and complexity? Or do you shift aside the emotional reaction and just sift through the jargon to locate the information? Myself, it depends on how the writing is laid out. If the author is quite personal and is dealing in the realm of non-fiction, I tend to read his or her work partially for enjoyment as well as for what they are trying to tell me. Yet when I read some official document or fairly ancient material, I normally trudge through it whilst picking out what I’m supposed to be looking for. Is that similar to what you do as well?
Brian, it's true that I failed to include a discussion of rereading non-fiction. My behavior is like yours in that I usually read informal non-fiction books for the enjoyment of learning, and as such it's much the same as when reading for pleasure, with the exception that I rarely reread the entire book. It's hard to analyze for theme and symbolism while reading only passages of a book, because it's often a complex web threading through the whole novel. In non-fiction, though, there's little in the way of deeper meaning to find, and I can just reread the passages directly relating to a concept or fact I've forgotten, rather than rereading the entire book.
With denser materials, non-fiction or not, I often find it beneficial to work through the text once at the level of paragraph, scene, or chapter, in order to understand the basics, before reading through a second time to appreciate the finer meanings or the language as well as to fight through snarls of snytax that may have been a stumbling block the first time through. (As a side note, many editions of Shakespeare have an extremely useful summary of each scene or act that mostly eliminates the need for two readings, allowing me to read for enjoyment of the language the first time through.)
I generally do not reread as much as I should, but occasionally I will return to a text if it has made a significant impression on me. Oftentimes I will not grasp the full meaning of a more complex work until I have read it multiple times. Rereading is crucial when analyzing and understanding literature because it allows one to delve deeper into a text to discover new meaning. While a cursory skim might suffice at first, until one probes further into a work, the full extent of its message will never be realized. This is true with every type of writing; the full depth of a piece is not always apparent upon first glance. When I reread a passage, a page or even an entire book, I pick up on many significant details that I missed at first. Literature is designed to inspire readers to think and consider concepts in new ways—providing a window of new insight. Writing is saturated with meaning beyond its ostensible plot, and one must dig deeper in order to uncover its hidden substance.
It is not even always necessary for me to have to reread an entire book in order to gain a deeper understanding. Often, rereading can be as simple as looking over a paragraph twice. After I read a passage once, a phrase or an idea may catch my eye and cause me to pause and consider it further. I might jump back a few lines and read over the words more carefully. Studying the section more closely this time, I can begin to dissect the author’s thoughts and discover a new significance that was not originally so clear. This process is a key step in becoming a more conscientious reader and allows one to extract the most from every piece of writing.
I seem to be on the same boat as many of the other bloggers in that I’m not much of a rereader but I understand its great importance. There is one example that always comes to mind when I hear the word “reread.” When I first learned how to read, the only stories I would read were by Dr. Seuss, in particular, “Yertle the Turtle.” I loved that story and probably reread it a thousand times when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I reread it a few years later that I looked past the plot at face value, and saw the direct allusion to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Europe and persecution of the Jews. It became a completely different story in a matter of minutes. The story went from innocent children’s story about stacking turtles to the story of the darkest time in human history. I couldn’t believe I had read this story so many times oblivious to something so huge. Immediately, the journey to reread every Dr. Seuss story out there began. The Cold War, racism, materialism, and many other individual and world issues started popping up with every story I read. It was amazing to see how much I had learned and how much my perspective has changed in those few years. This rereading not only allowed me to pick up on things I didn’t catch the first time (and to experience a little childhood nostalgia), it served as a checkpoint of my education. It is very rare that anyone gets to utilize so many things they had learned and experienced over the years in one instance. “Yertle the Turtle” remains my favorite story.
It's fascinating to realize how well (and how intelligent) Theodor Geisel's books are written. By sewing together politics, for example, and a children's story allows to children to understand more clearly how the world works (in this case, politically). A child, when first being taught about Hitler, may not stand up in history class and exclaim: "Like Yurtle the Turtle, right?" But having such an unconscious awareness that something like that may happen is infinitely helpful in that lesson. Plus, of course, it’s Easter Eggs for everyone once you’re old enough to look for them. (Although it’s interesting that I cannot personally deem any worth from the Cat and the Hat, no matter how hard I attempt.)
I enjoy and benefit from rereading text and passages. Whether it is for a better understanding, an effort to gain more insight, or to relive the pure delight I received the first time I read it, rereading is never a nuisance in my eyes. Even though I do reread when I do not understand the text on the first reading that is not the sole purpose for it. By taking the time to reflect and reread, one gains new insights to why the author wrote what he did and understands the deeper meaning of the story. Rereading multiple times is an important element when attempting to break down text and analyze literature. One may miss significant details during the first reading that would not be discovered upon first glance.
My favorite reason for rereading; however, is to recreate the feelings and emotions experienced during particular pieces. Even though I have done this more so in rewatching movies such as “Remember the Titans” and “Secretariat”, it is the same concept as returning to books that made you think and feel something. I often return to books that remind me of others, an event/memory, or myself. For example, I reread passages from “The Diary of a West Point Cadet” because as the author describes his character, interests, and hobbies, it reminds me of myself, which gives me a feeling of relief that I too will be ok at West Point. Returning to this book when I am stressed or worried helps me to relive those feelings of relief and assurance. I use rereading for three main reasons, which are all beneficial to my growth as a reader.
I feel there are certain books where the reader should not completely understand the text. If it is a book that I am reading for pleasure then I have no problem in skimming the text because I still understand everything that is going on and I grasp the important details. I am not normally a rereader when it comes to books that I really like. However, most classics and literature pieces require me to have to reread. I was very surprised when I read 'Hamlet' because I understood almost everything the first time through. I was amazed at how easily I could understand the emotion and the language. However, I had to reread 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern' because it was somehow harder to understand. I believe rereading is not only for those who don't understand the text. I believe people reread because so much meaning can be found the second time around. For example, I feel as though 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a book that most people should reread several times because of how much detail Steinbeck puts into every chapter. I have quite a bit of experience with rereading. I feel the most I have ever had to reread was on a test such as the SAT or the ACT. I would spend time going back and rereading every detail trying to understand each individual word. Sometimes it really helped me and sometimes it just wasted too much of my valuable time. Rereading is important for people,like myself, who find it hard to understand a text the first time reading it.
I find your opening sentence to be very curious. I too agree that sometimes an author does leave certain aspects of a text open to individual interpretation. This, in my opinion, is done for those of us who wish to reread a text at a later time and have different emotions every time through. When this is possible with a book then the author has done his job, which is to evoke deep, conflicting emotions within the reader. An example of such a book would be the Aeneid. Throughout my experience reading this book I questioned Virgil's methods, seeing as how I would find myself cheering for the supposed antagonist, Turnus. It is literary marvels such as these that make rereading an experience worthwhile.
Rarely do I reread in a scholastic sense; though I often reread for enjoyment. However, when I pick up one of my favorite books and read it over again, I always seem to discover new details that have more to do with the artistry of writing than any detail that is plot-driven. When reading a book for the first time around, I focus more on what is coming next, what twist the author has written in the pages to come. The reason for not rereading in a scholastic setting is simply because I am already taking in the piece in a stoic mindset; looking for allusions and metaphors, and focusing on the plot less often. A simple story is not what I am looking at, I am looking into the mind that is telling the story, and for what purpose it is being told. However, now that the literature that I have to examine has grown in complexity and philosophical weight, I find myself rereading much more often, almost against my will. Taking on a daunting book is one of the most humbling experiences I have ever faced. Even though I read as often as I can, I find that I am not at the level of understanding that I wish to be. There always seems to be a small nuance carrying an important message that eludes me. The ability to take in all that there is at a first glance is beyond me, and maybe it always will. Though, having to continuously go over the same words to find a hidden thought is rather frustrating and tiresome. This has forced me to the realization that I must get over my streak of perfectionism and reread much more often.
I will admit I am not normally a rereader. Most of the time I reread certain passages because it didn't make sense, or I needed to clarify something, or I had so much on my mind I wasn't actually paying attention to what I was reading because I was thinking about something else entirely. I've had books and novels that I've really enjoyed, but instead of choosing to reread that certain book or nevel to recreate the emotions I once experienced, I remember the author. The next point in time I decide I would like to read a book, I try to find one by the same author that interests me. Therefore almost promising the same writing style that intrigued me so much in the last one. Which leaves me with no reason to reread a book when there's another one I might love just as much or more!
There was one time when I did reread a book. I reread The Hunger Games right before the movie came out in March. The Hunger Games is a book we read the first semester of my sophomore year for English Honors with Mr. Roush. The first and only reading I've ever read for school an actually enjoyed. Once I realized it was part of a series I had all three read within a week. My junior year after realizing there was a movie coming out on the book, I decided to reread it only because I wanted to be able to compare the differences between the book and the movie. Having read it so fast and so long ago I didn't want to miss anything or forget anything that had happened. There's always a chance you could've missed something the first time around, and after you reread you could even discover a dipthong or a deeper meaning.
In my entire career as a reader, I have only reread one book and that was Harry Potter. I despise rereading. For me, the entire reason I read is to be completely absorbed into a novel and be excited to continue on with the story. I just cannot seem to become absorbed if I have already read the book.
Rereading does have some positive outcomes. For instance, if a person does not understand a book the first time they reread it, it might be beneficial for them to reread it so they can fully grasp the concept. Reading older novels, like Shakespeare for instance, can be very confusing and sometimes impossible to understand the first time they are read. In these situations rereading is almost inevitable.
I do not think rereading is just for those who do not understand the text the first time. Some people really enjoy reading one novel and cannot seem to get enough of it. For those people, the novel reaches out to them in some shape or form that impacts their lives. In this case, rereading is fun and exciting. I am not that type of person. One time through a book and I am done.
For me, instead of rereading an entire novel because I do not understand it I reread lines. If some part of a book seems confusing to me I reread it until it makes sense so that when I finish I will not have to reread the entire book. This process works really well for me. After each chapter I make sure I remember and understand the entire chapter before continuing.
Sydney, Like you, I have only reread one book, The Hunger Games because this was the only novel I seemed to be completley absorbed in. I agree when you say "if a person does not understand a book the first time they reread it, it might be beneficial for them to reread it so they can fully grasp the concept." I find myself doing this when I read. I also agree when you say "I do not think rereading is just for those who do not understand the text the first time. Some people really enjoy reading one novel and cannot seem to get enough of it." I know many people who read novels over and over again just because they love that one in particular novel. Like you, I also reread lines that I do not understand.
I would consider myself an occasional rereader. I honestly usually only reread when it is for a school assignment. In a school assignment I might reread for understanding and/or for a double entry note, but other than that I don’t usually reread if I am simply reading a book for pleasure. I know it sounds absolutely terrible but if I am reading a book for pleasure and I don’t fully understand a passage I don’t care enough to look more into the idea. I will dog ear pages that interest me and I do mean to go back and reread them, but I usually forget. There have only been four books that I have completely read twice and those are Last Days of Summer, Life of Pi, Holes, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. When I first reread these books, I set out to read them for enjoyment, but after finishing them the second time I realized I had also picked up on many more miniscule details that made me appreciate the books in a different way as well.
I do not think rereading is only for those who do not understand the text on the first reading. I think rereading is a great practice that all can benefit from whether they understand a passage or not, however it is also a practice I struggle with. Rereading is not only for understanding, but can also be for expansion. Perhaps rereading can bring about a brand new idea that enhances the whole reading that someone might not have gotten reading the first time alone.
I am most definitely not a rereader, except for further understanding. Honestly the only time I have successfully reread a book has been for understanding and or expansion on a school related idea. I don’t believe that is the only purpose for rereading though. On multiple occasions I have tried to rereading for pleasure. I honestly think I’ve tried rereading To Kill a Mockingbird at least four times, but I find myself not focusing as much as I would for understanding and then I usually find something that catches my attention with a new plot. I find rereading a very useful tool and I think it has the potential to positively affect my pleasure reading but for a reason I cannot understand I get bored when I reread. (It really makes no sense seeing as I can watch the same movie over and over for a month straight and not think to pick another, one would think that in that case I could reread a book a hundred times.) Something that I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time is to go back and reread books I have annotated in past years. Not only to see if I can actually finish it but also to see my thought processes in past years and how I have changed. I know the Overachievers was pretty much hated by the majority of those who read it (and I can’t believe I am about to say this) but I would actually consider reading it again. I put forth every ounce of effort I had into annotating it and despite the fact that the book wasn’t the most reliable for fact I think I would be able to learn from the experience.
Normally, no, I am not a rereader. The only time I normally reread things is when I’m not able to process what the words actually mean. Usually this happens because of a bit of queer wording, or perhaps even wrong word usage. Other times I will be reading a passage and stop focusing on the reading. When this happens I keep reading everything, but nothing is being retained in my mind. In order to get the words to stick I have to focus myself and read what I had just read in the newly attentive mindset. But these scenarios are what normally happen. Every so often I reread things for other reasons. If I find something that I enjoy immensely I will reread it. Just because of the amount of time required it is usually not books, but every now and then a great novel will come along and I don’t mind rereading it, though the following times reading it aren’t ever as good as the first. They lack the surprise of finding out what happens, and my interest in the second read through decreases because I already know the plot. What a book really needs for me to reread it is the right type of wording. Since I already know what happens in the story I reread for the enjoyment of appreciating the words. This could be because they have vibrant descriptions or the way the author chooses his or her words intrigues me. Books like these rarely show up, so the ones that do are very special.
I agree completely with your post. I feel as if your experience with rereading is very similar to mine. Often when I attempt to reread, I find myself thinking about other things and barely reading the text so I feel rereading is useless. As you said, being focused is a very important component of reading; however, it just seems a bit difficult to maintain that level of focus when rereading the same material. It has lost the element of surprise, which is extremely important to me in reading. Even when I have to reread texts for understanding, I still find myself slightly distracted because the form and language is already familiar to me. Rereading in basically any form is not for me.
The phrases "They lack the surprise of finding out what happens" and "I reread for the enjoyment of appreciating the words" reminded me of why we find ourselves rewatching highlights, rather than entire matches.
That sense of "not-knowing" solely comes during the first watch/read. This is where the true enjoyment lies, and the highlights of the match/story are the one thing that help us relive that excitement. Even though Alfred Hitchcock was talking about horror movies when he said, "there is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it," this could easily go for every entertainment medium. There is no excitement in the bang, only in the anticipation of it. Meaning that the wonder of what will happen is much more exciting than the actual event.
Rereading is an extremely tedious, dreary task for me. When I attempt to reread, I find myself merely glancing over the material rather than absorbing the meaning. It’s as if I am simply skimming the text. It’s hard for me to derive any positive results from rereading. Even if I enjoy the material, I hate the repetitive nature of rereading. If I already read it once, I’ve generally understood the text and get bored reading the same story or same message. I feel pressured to discover some new motif or symbolism when I am rereading which generally will translate into frustration, leading to me being completely unproductive.
That being said, rereading is not completely meritless. I do reread occasionally texts of higher difficulty or more archaic language. For example, I reread many passages of Hamlet to ensure I understood the events taking place. I also tend to reread more on school assignments than joy reading. It still remains an un-enjoyable endeavor though. However, I do see the value in rereading. After rereading a text (especially one I must respond to in some way), I find myself with a better understanding and with more thoughts for a response.
While rereading is not my choice of activity under any circumstance, it holds more worth for others. I think rereading is most commonly done to gain further understanding of a text; however, some people reread simply for entertainment purposes. Abby and Ben brought up the Harry Potter Series in earlier posts and essentially how they are classics of our generation. I agree - those are the only books I have ever delighted in rereading.
I suppose the effectiveness of rereading is really just based on the reader itself.
I write this with (figurative) tears running down my cheeks. It shames me that one as brilliant and talented as you has only found enjoyment in re-reading Harry Potter. The world of literature is vast and exciting, and many areas merit a slow, joyful gaze. That you are too busy to read books again is pitiful. What good are the flowers if they die at first glance? Do the bees leave a garden because every bloom has been touched? No, they return until the flowers have been picked of their pollen and wait for them to replenish their stores the next year. So many books have pollen left for you to take if you only would reread. A common criticism of the current educational system is that we are being taught a breadth of subjects but not a depth of subjects. We've seen everything but can do nothing. You have seen so much Elizabeth, but have you stopped to learn the trade?
I completely agree. Rereading can get too repetitive and ends up driving me crazy. I also find myself more willing to reread texts if there is an assignment over it. I am certain that the only book that I enjoyed rereading was "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. On another note, I also agree with Ben's comment. There is plenty of information that can be gained from rereading. I agree full-heartedly that "...we are being taught a breadth of subjects but not a depth of subjects." Unfortunately, I have not mastered "the trade."
Rereading is not something I find myself doing often. When I reread I find myself skimming the material rather than rereading it. I do not find much pleasure reading something that I have already read. I tend to only find myself rereading when I do not understand a passage, when I completely zone out and do not even remember what I have read, or when an assignment has asked a question about a novel or passage and I do not remember the answer therefore, I have to reread to find the answer.
However, I do understand the importance of rereading. I believe it is important to reread a passage or novel when the message it is sending is not clear, this can help you better understand the novel or passage. By rereading one might also pick up on a part of the passage or novel that they did not the first time they read. Although, I also believe that while some people reread for understanding, others reread for the simple fact that they just enjoy the novel and want to read it a second or third time.
I have only reread one novel The Hunger Games. I reread this novel because I found it very interesting and it caught my attention. I enjoyed all of The Hunger Games books but only found myself rereading the first one. I also found myself rereading Hamlet a lot this summer to ensure I understood the language of the Shakespearian play and to ensure I understood what was going on throughout each act.
Rereading can be used for various purposes. For me, the majority that I reread is to gather a better understanding of the text usually because of a misreading the first time through. Rarely do I go back into a book, article, or essay to reread large chunks of the text and the times that I do retrieve a text to reread, is to out of curiosity or to search under the depths so I may have a discussion on that topic or work. Likewise, when going back to push myself deeper into a book with a different perspective as from the previous, it is more than likely a mandatory for school. However, there have been moments when I wished I had, at that moment, a text which I had already previously read. One specific example is the essay What Christians Believe by C.S. Lewis. Ever since I read it the first time through, I have been intrigued Lewis’ argument and justifications and have wanted to reread her ideas. Of course, the one of the few texts I wished to keep I had lost until just recently this summer when I stumbled upon in while cleaning my room. I haven’t reread it yet primarily because I keep forgetting I found it but also because I haven’t been in the right frame of mind and mood to sit down, read a thoughtful discussion on beliefs, then to question my own and explore philosophies, creating my own positions on such serious topics and thinking how others come to their beliefs. Now that I’m starting to think about it, it’s difficult to halt my brain and focus back on my work before me.
Before reading How To Read Literature Like A Professor, I would say that re-reading was not only for those who did not understand the text; after reading I would say the same, but on a different level. Prior to reading Foster, my response would have indicated that re-reading is for those who either missed a story element somewhere or simply enjoyed the work. After Foster I have to say that re-reading is a good idea for nearly everyone, because in a first reading we often miss details that could lead us to another work and that could give us a deeper understanding of the author's intentions.
I am sad to say that I am not by habit a re-reader, the reason being that until very recently I have only read for my own entertainment or for school. As a result, until this summer I had only read things for a shallow understanding of the text (in truth, for the story itself), and I could gain this shallow understanding on one reading. I have very seldom re-read anything, and the handful of texts I have re-read were solely because I had enjoyed the story and simply wished to re-visit them.
However, I now come to understand that there is a reason to read aside from the story itself. In How To Read Literature Like A Professor, Foster was able to convince me that English teachers aren't simply making things up as they go. Because of my new understanding, I plan to re-visit the stories I have previously read and start searching for parallels and allusions. In short, I plan to become a re-reader (to some degree).
I loved your post. I thought it covered everything in depth and was enjoyable to read. I share many of the same views as you pertaining to this topic. Re-reading to me just meant going back and reading something you missed or for enjoyment, until I read How To Read Literature Like A Professor. While I cannot say I have adapted to re-reading, I do have a better understanding of it.
Whether or not I will take the time to re-read something depends entirely on the situation. There are many common reasons one may re-read a piece of literature. For instance, some find themselves re-reading due to the fact that they did not understand the passage. Others re-read because they feel as if they did not find the deeper meaning of the text during the first time they read it. People also re-read just for the fun of it.
If I ever find myself re-reading a passage, it is due to one of three reasons. One, I have put the book down and am trying to remember what had previously happened in the story. Two, I have either been looking at the text without actually reading it or I have jumbled the text in my mind while reading it in such a manner that it is necessary to re-read it. Three, I simply enjoyed the story so much that I feel like reading it again for entertainment purposes.
In all honesty, I should take to the habit of re-reading more often. I tend to have the problem of not being able to notice double meanings in text while reading it the first time, even when the second meaning is an obvious one. I usually am able to catch this sort of thing the second time around, which is why re-reading proves to be a useful tool for me. I will begin to utilize it more often through this year as well as my college ones.
I agree completely with what you said about rereading being situational and also your reasons for rereading. Unfortunately, I find that I rarely reread a story for entertainment purposes or just for fun. I find that the story becomes too repetitive which drives me up the wall. On another note, you are not alone in needing to take up the habit of rereading more often. Hopefully, we both will be able to "utilize it more often through this year as well as my college ones." I wish you the best of luck with this and hope you succeed as well.
For me, rereading depends on the book and/or situation. Typically, when I reread it is because of a lack of fulfillment from reading the novel or lack of understanding part of the text. Unfortunately, if I do not see a reason to reread then I will usually skim the book and sometimes not reread the novel at all.Sadly, I do not reread very often. I know I should reread more and plan to do so starting this school year.
Rereading is a useful tool and allows the reader to slow down so they can better comprehend/understand a passage. Rereading is not only for those who did not understand a text on the first read, but also for those who crave a deeper understanding of what was written in between the lines. For example, I was rereading part of "War and Peace" when I fully comprehended what was meant by "slaying the hydra of revolution." Rereading will allow for better debates/discussions about literary works because of a deeper comprehension of the text. In a way, rereading brings more to the table, so to speak.
Typically, I only re-read in order to comprehend a certain text in the passage. Of course there have been instances where I re-read for enjoyment because I just was not satisfied with my first read through. My main thought is, thought, still remains "If I just read the text, comprehend it, and remember it, why would I need to re-read it?" I'm probably going to get shot with a bullet of love and literacy for saying this, but I feel like it is a waste of time. To the people that do re-read, take no offense and continue re-reading if it greatness your experience.
Another point to mention for me, is re-reading is purely situational. Like I stated earlier, there are times when I re-read for enjoyment, but I use re-reading most often as a tool for comprehension of text. In all honesty, I hope this class will show me the beauty in text so I can feel the desire to re-read something that is truly beautiful that I missed. It is a habit I hope to acquire through this course.
Rereading, in my experience, has been solely for the purpose of understanding the text. The only times I can recall of having any inclination of rereading is when I have no grasp of what is being said. Ideally I should reread the text two or three times no matter the level of understanding I have. However, being the apathetic person that I am, I feel it becomes rather boring. I struggle to maintain interest in words that I have already read. Once I feel that I have a basic understanding of the work I tend to move on without a glance back to reflect. To linger on insignificant details seems pointless and for lack of better words a waste of my time. This is largely attributed to the fact that once I have interpret a section of text, it is difficult to find a different meaning within, no matter the amount of rereads I do. Perhaps this is due to my stubbornness as a person, or lack of interest in reevaluating the data, but either way rereading is not a strategy I utilize often. Perhaps if I were to read a piece and discuss it then I would be more inclined to think differently during the next reading of the work. Maybe even annotating the text would help me reassess my thoughts, but I have established that, personally, annotating text pulls me out of the reading. It makes reading a book seem more like busy work. Which in turn makes me not want to read the body of work at all.
ReplyDeleteAndrew,
DeleteLike you said, different genres of texts require varying degrees of mental dexterity. And yes, it is hard at times to be completely invested in something of which you have no interest. Yet, I believe the problem is not an apathetic attitude towards the punctilious melodies of literature. I believe to be that our generation is bereft of the wherewithal to completely disconnect from reality and simply let ourselves become immersed in another world for an extended period of time. Deep down, I know it's not the idea that your time is being wasted that disgruntles your feelings towards literature. Life and all the chaos that comes with it has clouded our capabilities to unwind and let go. It is a frustrating predicament. So, now we hide behind sorry excuses of being uninterested in works like the magnificent prose of Hemingway and the poetic savoir fare of Shakespeare to make up for our muddled potential. I suggest we all adopt and begin to practice meditation to help calm the mind so that we can return to our natural state, and once again escape through our books.
You mention in your response that you do not enjoy wasting time on 'insignificant details.' I am wondering what books you are reading that contain such things. In the books I have read, every word played an important role in the author's work of art. Every aspect of a book was placed there for a reason. What you see as an 'insignificant detail' could actually be a symbol of some deeper meaning, a reference to another piece of literature that adds to the meaning of the book being read, or even some aspect of the author's personal experiences. These aspects of a piece of literature greatly add to the overall experience of reading. They should be cherished, not cast aside as 'insignificant.'If, when reading literature, you come across something that appears 'insignificant', you most likely are missing something the author intended you to understand. You should definitely reread that book.
DeleteI feel like you trap inside of your own little box inside of another box. Meaning that you really don't see and don't want to see that more possibilities and other finds that is put in mind. Rereading isn't only just that for anyone you doesn't understand the text. It's also people that enjoy the book or text really much that they just like rereading it. Also everyone rereads in their life not only because they didn't understand the text or misread it but also just simple enjoyment. Take yourself for instance when you were younger there was probably a book that you enjoy hearing a or reading yourself, so you reread it and reread it until you wanted to do something else. Rereading is in everyone's life style. I'm not trying to crack open your mind to make you see this or make you change your opinion just saying just have a open mind towards things you find the sky much bluer and the grass greener that way.
DeleteI'm not saying rereading isn't valuable; I just tend not to take part in it. It's not because I'm close minded I actually like to think that I am very in depth with my analysis of meaning. However, I believe that rereading is the least effective way to uncover meaning. I'm speaking of real meaning. Not some convoluted, tainted meaning that has been twisted into something so far from the original context that it no longer holds importance. Instead of rereading and hoping some new information jumps out at me I believe its better just to think about the subject, it requires less work can yield the same results. Also, rereading for enjoyment is irrelevant. I simply said rereading to find new meaning is not worth while (in my opinion). If you want to reread for enjoyment be my guest. Furthermore, please do not insinuate that I am close minded because I don’t reread. Rereading is just one tool that can be used, I have just found another method that I believe is more enjoyable and effective.
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DeleteAndrew, it's interesting that you have never considered approaching a piece of text (particularly a favorite novel or such) for the purpose of extracting meaning from your previous responses to a text or to experience (or re-experience) a new or old emotional response to the text. While many consider the former tedious and analytically unhelpful, many people I know have been encouraged to reread a text or story for an emotionally based response. When reading a more complicated book, I also feel it’s possible to miss some level of the text even if it initially appears that one fully understands it. In many cases, you can never uncover all the layers.
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ReplyDeleteAndrew,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean; but I think you bring up the issue that different texts require different kinds of reading, and that we all approach a text (which can be infinitely defined), with various purposes. I would never re-read the directions for coloring my hair; but I do re-read Billy Collins and Robert Frost over and over again, because it's beautiful and reminds me about living a good life. It's sort of like seeing movies more than once. After the first viewing, we're not out to "understand" the text per se. But a movie we love somehow holds us; we return to things that remind us, define us, perplex us, make us feel, etc., etc. The "re-reading" fufills more than just basic plot needs. I think that maybe what happens with great art--movies, literature, paintings--we return to them because they hold some sort of mystique for us.
And yes, annotating helps me focus and go deeper with a text! Re-reading for beauty, appreciation, and personal meaning can never be busy work. Maybe you must haven't found a text that speak loudly enough to you to invite you back. I totally understand this. Plus, we often just don't have the time to keep re-reading. Sometimes, for me, just re-reading certain parts of a text is fulfilling and makes the text richer.
Mac
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI am excited for you to discover the nuances literature can offer. You are so right that discussion and annotation enhance the work, but I think you'll find it's really not about the words as much as the ideas. Annotation won't seem so mechanical when it becomes a record of an insight or clarification that you don't want to let slip away.
I agree with Amy that often there are only passages that require a second look or appreciation just because they so wonderfully express.
Thinking about literacy is the first of many steps. I can hardly wait to begin!
SBL
Whenever I reread a text, I always feel like I find new meaning or new pieces of whatever it is that I'm reading. I am the type of person that can read a book 20 times and find something new in it every time, so I feel like rereading not only makes meaning, but it also reveals new parts of the plot. However, I don't think that if you reread it means that you didn't understand the text the first time. It could mean that that individual reader saw something that others may not have seen or simply that they misread it the first time.
ReplyDeleteI, however, usually reread to make meaning and make sure that I read something right if a sentence or paragraph seems out of place or strange. Typically, though, I don’t like to do DE notes, annotating, and things like that. Generally, they distract me and make me lose focus in what I’m reading. For example, if I’m becoming really intrigued in the middle of a book, educational or otherwise, and I have to stop to write something down or record what I’m reading, I tend to have trouble getting back into the focus I had before. After that my reading just isn’t the same and I don’t feel the same way about what I’m trying to read.
In addition to trying to get as much as I can out of a book, I have a tendency to reread because I have a mild form of dyslexia. In an educational setting, this is typically to my advantage because I have usually read the text more than other students and it also helps give me a sense of confidence in talking about the text.
Vivian,
DeleteA helpful technique for annotation and the resultant DE note is to bracket or underline a noteworthy passage or even word and then go back to that place in the text after you have finished a chapter. That way your train of thought would be only minimally interrupted and you can still revisit the passage.
SBL
i agree with that rereading could also mean that an individual reader saw something that others may have not seen or simply that they misread it the first time. It's completely true rereading does open many doors of something new towards it. In the DE notes I'm the same way, but Mrs. L helpful technique for annotationing and resulting DE notes does work wonderfully , but you could change it up in a way that you think that your brain would remember it better with. Also that awesome that you use your mild dyslexia as a advantage to both give you a confidence booster and help expand you educational knowledge.
DeleteMrs. L,
DeleteI do try to do that as much as possible, but sometimes I still have trouble annotating. It's usually easier for me to read something completely through before trying to take it apart and analyze the big picture. But I'll try to remember that tip next time!
And Jasmine, I'm glad that someone else sees it like I do. Most people I know think that rereading is for people who don't understand what they're reading, but every time I reread anything I find new meaning. It's as if as we become more familiar with what we're reading, we see new meaning behind everything
I get the same thing when I write in books: I lose that focus and then I feel awkwardly confused and out-of-place. I read Mrs. McElroy's reply, though, where she suggests to make a bracket and then go back. I'm going to try that. I also see something new every time I reread. It's a really awesome feeling to see something you didn't notice before (especially for me because I stink at noticing anything). But I can't read anything all the way through without at least looking at what just happened at the end of a chapter or an event because I might not have grasped the important points and it hurts me later. So many reading styles - it's kind of crazy how many people do the same thing countless different ways.
DeleteVivian,
DeleteYou bring up a very good point that I did not think of in my post. When I am reading a book I also have a hard time annotating and doing DE notes because I somehow always find myself side-tracked or day-dreaming. If I was interested in the book before I stopped to annotate or write something down, then there is no way that I am able to recover after that. I find it very hard to become interested in school assigned books. I wish I could find it easy to reread books like you. I feel as though it would have made my high school experience better because I would have understood more.
I think it depends on the text and its purpose to me personally as to whether I do any rereading or not. Probably many others will agree with me when I say that Harry Potter has been a series our generation has continually gone back to over the years just for entertainment alone, but many other books have almost become these vessels of memories and nostalgia for me as a reader; rereading them takes me back to the mindset I was in at the time, what was going on when I read it, and eventually leads me to understand why it particularly resonated, even if I had no idea why while reading. However, I think that poems and books from a different time period almost require rereading to fully understand and interpret the messages, and the purposes of those texts differ greatly from the kinds of books we can pick up in the Young Adult section today. In my experience, some strange evolution over the years has separated the idea of both a wholesome and entertaining book into either one or the other, and even though I do believe that the right book at the right time will say a lot of things to one person as opposed to another, rereading for understanding and rereading for a laugh or a cry are two different things. Not that you don't get the same results out of each, but I think the consciousness levels are different; you can pick up new information in a much-loved book and not even realize it during a reread, but the whole task is more likely to feel like work when you knowingly root through a text for symbols, allusions, etc. when you wouldn't have otherwise. (And as a nod to Andrew, curiosity may even be the biggest factor in really understanding any literature at all, who knows.)
ReplyDeleteAbby,
DeleteJust as you said,"...it depends on the text and its purpose..." or more specifically your purpose for reading. There are certainly different purposes for reading as there are different texts to read. The memories and feeling books evoke are similar to songs or movies. Everyone has his/her favorites, and sometimes it's just a chorus or a scene that gives us the flood of feelings or thoughts we loved in the past. It's very important to establish the purpose for reading going in to the text so that the reading strategies needed will kick in. I agree, an innate curiosity to discover or learn is probably the best motivation of all.
SBL
Abby,
DeleteI agree that it feels like a daunting task when one has to reread through a book because they need to look for symbols, etc., but I sometimes reread to look for those if it is like Fight Club because a lot of the literary devices cannot be found until after the full book has been read. I also can relate with rereading books for our emotional attachment with the piece, I tend to do it too, but even some books I have read that have some literary merit I have reread like The Life of Pi. I also understand more details of a book if I reread it even if it is for enjoyment, however for a literary purpose I tend to understand more about what the author means by each element he employs since I know the ending.
ADB
Abby, how did I know you would include a Harry Potter reference? I agree that it probably is the series of our generation, and a perfect example of rereading. I know personally that I have read each of the books at least twice. I also agree that rereading full books depends on the text. For purposes of enjoyment versus academics, no one would voluntarily read something that they hated more than once.
DeleteI found your point about past time periods totally valid. I’m in agreement: works produced in a certain time period almost require rereading. Writings from the past never cease to amaze me. While their language is often extremely different, and at many times hard to understand, (hence the rereading), their messages are usually timeless.
Abby,
DeleteI wrote my post before I read yours and I realized we both used Harry Potter in our blogs. Also, we both share the same opinion about books that come from different time periods, majority of the time they need to be reread to completely grasp the concept. What I thought was very interesting about your post and something I had not thought about was that people might reread not for the story but the memories the story brings back. For instance, if a person had a close family member die while in the middle of a story they might continue to reread that book cause it brings back memories of the deceased family member. This is a concept I never even imagined but it makes complete sense now.
I am a rereader only in a certain sense. I do not reread anything due to lack of understanding. If I have trouble understanding a text, I will pace myself to facilitate better absorption of the materials, but I will not reread the materials. That is not to say that rereading is solely a task for those who do not understand. I often reread texts, sometimes more than once. As Abby mentioned, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has been a cornerstone of reading in our generation. These are texts that I have grown up with and that I go back to quite often (once a year if time allows). I do not reread these books because I do not understand them or because I cannot follow along. I do not reread them because I'm searching for deeper meaning or hidden messages. I reread Harry Potter because it's enjoyable. The story is well-written and elicits emotions that I can find in no other places. For texts like Harry Potter, I return because I have an emotional investment in the characters and the story. I have spent hours reading the books and anticipating Harry's next actions. By rereading these books I can experience the same emotions that I experienced long ago. Books are time capsules into which we deposit our thoughts and feelings and out of which we can withdraw them at a later date. Greater understanding is sure to come from this interaction, but that is not the point.
ReplyDeleteAbby mentioned that poetry is somewhat different than prose. I will agree that sometimes the ideas and emotions expressed in poetry are harder to discern than in other works, but I stick with my strategy of slowing down the reading experience rather than rereading. I leave my sponge on the countertop to soak a pool of water; I do not dab the sponge with the hopes that the pool will one day be gone, as if death by a thousand paper cuts.
Rereading has never been important for me to understand a text so much as for me to enjoy all the the text has to offer. It allows my mind to expand, taking in every detail of the piece that might have been missed the first time. Once the basics are down, rereading allows me to go under the surface and truly discover a work, not just understand the work.
David,
DeleteI am interested in this idea of emotional investment. I love Harry Potter for this same reason. I'm wondering though, if it is possible for us to enjoy and connect with a text even if we are not emotionally invested. Could there be something like "intellecutally invested" maybe?
Mac
Ben,
DeleteI love how you so openly shared with us your deep admiration for Harry Potter. I could really sense the authentic endearment you have for the stories and characters. As always, your vocabulary and insight excel, and this response concerning revision is no exception. I do agree that some works elicit "emotions that I can find in no other places." Books like, "A Prayer for Owen Meany," and Mitch Album's, "For One More Day," are works that will always have a special place on my bookshelf because they evoke genuine nostalgia and appreciation for the human experience. Like you and Harry Potter, I will forever feel emotional investment to these works.
Intriguing, Ben. I wholeheartedly agree with your position on the matter (despite not having read Harry Potter), but your habit of pacing yourself “to facilitate better absorption of the materials” instead of just rereading seems unusual to me. Is this just your habit in general, or do you literally apply this to yourself in each and every instance? Personally, I find the idea of this to be exceptionally difficult for me to put into practice. If I read something too slowly (because my normal pace is quite rapid), then I have a tendency to become quite bored and start thinking about other things while my eyes still move over the paper, despite the lack of cognizant awareness. The same thing happens when I read something that is unusually cryptic or complex and requires more than just surface-level thinking to understand. Does this sort of thing happen when you read, or does an altered pace overcome this? For me, slow and steady runs off course during the race, but it seems to work for you.
DeleteOh, and a side note: I love the paper cut metaphor!
Ben, I completely understand your example of the emotional attachment to the novels like Harry Potter. When the seventh Potter book was released, I made the decision to buy it tout de suite. But before I opened the front cover, I realized that it had been more than a year since I had read the sixth novel in the series. I decided then to reread the first six in order to prepare myself for the dramatic conclusion which the seventh held in the binding. I see that for you, rereading is not a tool, but rather a hobby meant for pleasure.
DeleteBen,
DeleteYour response is well written and your points well received; and for the most part, I agree with you. I have always reread simply for enjoyment, never for a lack of understanding, just as you have. Though when I reread my favorite books, mainly those of a certain depth, I always seem to pick up a new detail or a possible allusion that I had never noticed the last time I read that particular book. If I am constantly picking up new parcels of information and meaning, does that mean I am rereading for content as well as enjoyment? I am just wondering if you do the same, and if that point would change, or at least make you think about your views of rereading.
Ben,
DeleteI do not know if I have heard (or read in this case) speak so passionately and eloquently about Harry Potter but I completely agree. If time permitted I would love to reread the entire series.
I found myself in the exact opposite position though. The only times I usually reread something is for understanding, and I would so rarely reread for pleasure besides the few books I mentioned in my response. Sometimes I find it difficult to reread certain things for enjoyment when I know there are so many more books, music, and movies that I have yet to discover for even the first time. Isn’t it weird though, how we can re-watch a favorite movie 50+ times, but even our favorite book we might only be able to reread two or three times.
Ben, as with nearly every other commenter, I loved that you talked about Harry Potter. I mentioned it in my own post on this topic, for much the same reason you did.
DeleteNerdy though this is, I'll be going to a Harry Potter convention called LeakyCon in Chicago the weekend before school starts. And looking through the schedule for that, I found that there were such discussion panels as "the morality of Severus Snape", "Hogwarts professors and the Roman pantheon", and "the deathly hallows and Arthurian legend". It reinforced my belief that although it's obviously wonderful to reread Harry Potter for the emotional value, there are deeper meanings to be found if one has the background knowledge and the inclination.
David, while I find your position very interesting, I must say that I am fascinated with your theory concerning pacing. Like Brian, I often find myself less than focused on a particular text when I feel the pace is too slow (regardless of the amount of absorbed content) and wish to question the applicability of such a proposition. Is it possible to fully understand references that are consciously made to be undecodable before finishing the novel once?
DeleteSimilarly, while I thoroughly enjoyed following Potter's academics and adventures, I never felt as though it was the sole book I could invest myself within emotionally or analytically, novels like Pipi Longstocking, Heidi, or certain fantasy novels were much more engaging emotionally and analytically (personally). Is it not possible to enjoyably engage in such an analysis with any number of books (if not most)? What makes Harry Potter so special to this generation?
I reread only if I feel as if to reread the text would benefit me more than the first read, like in Honors Program when we read Fight Club, I felt like I needed to reread it to pick up on some of the clues the author leaves but you can't understand on the first read. On a regular basis, no I do not reread unless say the book is from a really long series I might skim through the books before it to remember what has happened or if I really enjoyed the book then I tend to reread them. The most rereading I do is maybe reread a section of the book I am currently reading especially if I get confused or find the point being presented interesting—also if I get distracted while I am reading and do not comprehend the words I just read.
ReplyDeleteNo, rereading is not just for those who do not understand the text at first, it can also be if you really enjoy the book or don’t quite remember what it was about and reread the text. Most tend to reread because they do not understand even if it is just a sentence or a whole text. I tend to think most reread a section of a text not the entire piece.
There are only two books which would have any literary merit that I have read: Fight Club and The Things They Carried. I reread them mostly because you find a greater understanding of the text after you have completely read it. I picked up in Fight Club that the main character was going to have the multi-personality disorder mostly due to what I read between the lines. When I reread Fight Club I noticed more of the foreshadowing effects of the book after I finished it. I believe rereading to be important in order to understand and find literary elements easier, plus more understanding on what they mean to the story. It also allows you to feel confident in making your own opinion on what a text is about.
Amber,
DeleteI really felt this way too about Fight Club. In fact, as soon as I finished it I turned to the first page and read again. It was the strangest reading experience for me. Sometimes things begin to fall in place on a re-read. Foreshadowing all of a sudden makes sense. Not only do you enter the "world" of that book, but that character's minds!
Mac
Amber,
DeleteYour first sentence was very long and could use revision. Throughout your response I found many mistakes. Your third paragraph begins with this sentence: “There are only two books which would have any literary merit that I have read.” This sentence makes it sound like you have only ever read two books with any literary merit. It was rather off putting. I suggest you take the time to "reread" what you write before you click the publish icon. I do like the fact that you enjoyed Fight Club. I can really tell you understood and appreciated the artistic aspects of one of the twentieth centuries most profound beloved novels.
When I study a text, whether for pleasure or for a more scholastic reason, I sometimes find myself having to go back and reread. I am not stating that my ability to understand a text is lacking. Personally, I feel like literature and long drawn out narratives are detrimental to the hectic day to day schedule of the today's average suburbanite. For instance, I am always in a rush. So, when I finally sit down to read a literary work I tend to swiftly rummage through the chapters with no real enthusiasm for the story that lay before my eyes. Before long, I realize the story has slipped away from my understanding, leaving me destitute and bewildered with no other choice but to go back and reread. This cycle consequently engulfs twice as much time as it should have leaving me behind and put off once again by literature.
ReplyDeleteI am a facts guy. I like to get straight to the point. Long descriptive passages detailing minute nuances are unwarranted in todays fast paced society. No one has time anymore for four hundred pages of dramatic subtleties. For example, in The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck dedicates an entire chapter to the description of a lone turtle's struggle to reach the other side of the road. Is this really necessary? I do not believe so. The whole chapter can be omitted and the story will stay unchanged. Sure, some can say that I don't appreciate the adroit art behind literature, but like so many others, I value my time. So, skip over all the clutter and GET TO THE POINT.
Evan,
DeleteAh, the turtle chapter. Perhaps in your hectic world you should stop and smell the roses or at least the significance. Take time to see the portraits painted by Steinbeck's prose. Give Grapes a chance. Believe me, we are busy, too, and we would never waste your time on "clutter." Just keep reading. There's much to be revealed.
SBL
I would argue that the turtle chapter is very important to setting up the story. As expressed in How to Read Literature like a Professor, one of the key elements to understanding literature is picking out what could symbolize something or foreshadow an event later on in the text. Before we even meet the Joads, the story of the turtle slowly carrying his heavy burden of a shell across the land tells a lot about the type of families that live in this environment and what they must deal with to survive. I believe this chapter is probably even more important than the physical descriptions of the Joads because it portrays their struggles in a way that straight facts could not do justice. We can already form an opinion of the unforgiving landscape from this chapter alone before we even read about the particular problems that plague that family.
DeleteEven though you have to go through many hectic challenges during most of your days or all of them. I would have to say (in my opinion) that isn't really a quite excuse to go by on unless there are days that are serious that causes an dramatic toll in your life style. I'm happy to know that you do go back and reread the story to grab the understanding of the book or text, but in each chapter of any book you have to read or just read in enjoyment there is huge importance that puts up in the story. Abby Humphreys does have a point in "How to Read Literature like a Professor" it does make a clear point of the one of the key elements in understanding any literature is literally picking out what could symbolize or foreshadow in a later event of the story. You should twist and turn you schedule around to make time to read some of it at least to see the significance of the chapter to the entire story.
DeleteEvan,
DeleteI love your enthusiasm and appreciate how you can easily relate to the struggles of the average student. Extra-curriculars consume so much time on a day-to-day basis and can ultimately lead to severe procrastination. As stated, this distracts from understanding the author's true purpose and message and eventually will lead to limited or no progress at all. I also love how you apply lengthy readings to our fast paced contemporary society. I understand long, drawn out passages and chapters such as the one mentioned in Grapes of Wrath can be extremely boring, but it all relates to the author's purpose in some way. In the words of Mrs. Leach, "Just keep reading. There is much to be revealed."
I agree with Evan. When growing up with the ability to access countless amounts of information in seconds through the internet, it becomes very difficult to sit down and take the time to read through a text without feeling like it is wasting time. This becomes just like walking and driving. While walking allows the person to enjoy the journey and better themselves through exercise, driving allows them to get the job done much faster with little effort. This allows them to get on with their next task much faster, and ironically, find more time to enjoy themselves. In most cases, sadly, efficiency trumps enjoyment.
DeleteJameson,
DeleteI would have to take a stance opposing yours in this matter. It is true that we live in a fast paced society, and without the extra "clutter" we would be able to sift through more information quicker. But we must slow down and ask ourselves why we read. If its a news story or educational text, we read it to be updated with information in a quest to attain as much knowledge as we can quickly. In this scenario we find that the clutter is unnecessary. But in a novel we read for the experience and enjoyment of it. In this situation it is not about the breadth of books we read, but the depth we read into them, so we can fully delight in the story the author is trying to convey to us. In most cases efficiency trumps enjoyment, but I would have to say this is not one of those cases.
Evan,
DeleteThere is a certain elegance in eloquent language. One of my favorite poems, while very short, exhibits this (it's written by the oh-so-popular Emily Dickinson):
Forbidden fruit a flavor has
That lawful orchards mock;
How luscious lies the pea within
The pod that Duty locks!
There's a lot of meaning in just these four lines, almost wholly analytically. The entire poem displays a sort of beauty, simply in the word choice. While part of the excellence in this poem is, in fact, that it's so short and resonate, chapters like The Turtle allow us to experience even more of this type of prose of language. Without the biblically resonate background of the poem, it's almost plain. Spending time inside a book, slowly analyzing it and reveling in the language and meaning can be deeply rewarding. Why read, if you're not looking for a story or searching for classical, timeless language?
When I read for enjoyment, I usually do not reread the text unless I feel like I missed an important fact or idea, didn't understand something, or if my mind just simply wandered. Reading for education is quite different for me, especially if I have to answer lots of questions based on the given text. I tend to reread facts so I can remember them better. I feel that rereading weighs down my reading experience; I cannot focus solely on the text when thinking other things I have to remember about it. Even though I feel weighed down, I must admit that I do retain the information better and absorb more of the words and grammar rather than if I just read through the text once.
ReplyDeleteRereading is not bad for the reader. I can recall various teachers through out years telling my class that "rereading shows a stronger reader, they pay more attention to the text and want to soak in everything." When I was younger, I thought it was a waste of time. Now that I'm older, I understand and agree with my teachers. For example, I had some trouble with The Aeneid and The Odyssey. I would read it once and not fully understand what was happening. After class discussion with Mrs. Mac, I would reread and catch so many things I didn't see before. This would not only help me understand the story, but help me with class discussion topics and writings. Same goes with some texts for honors program and free reading.
Rereading only helps the reader, never harms.
Lauren,
DeleteReading is unique in that it is both a solitary and a communal activity. Mostly we are by ourselves on the porch or in our chair or wherever reading alone; but in the end, it's that time when we come together when the text begins to become something greater. I too feel the text expand and become clearer when I'm in a group discussing it.
Mac
Lauren,
DeleteI'm like that when it comes to a class reading. After reading and discussing, I usually see so many things I didn't before. Like when we read A Modest Proposal in English last year, I understood that satire and what he was saying, but after hearing what everyone had to say, I saw even more in the text. I think that rereading is great, but group discussion is even greater. It also gives a chance for ideas to come out. But I think that in terms of reading for school I feel like having to look for more details and remember more makes the reading harder. I prefer to read books for pleasure without all the stress
Vivian,
DeleteI remember that! I remember thinking satire wouldn't be my thing (turns out I was basically wrong), but the more I read and discussed, the more I enjoyed it. I also sprouted my own ideas off class discussion and reading. Sometimes it sparks a personal memory or story or it'll create a new idea on its own. On another note, I know you've already read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. I watched both movies first and then read the book (silly of me). I'm around half way through and I appreciate the text more and catch more detail than the movie. It's like finding buried treasure that was in front of you the entire time, but was in all the wrong places you looked. I guess that could be a "form" (?) to rereading, just with different media.
Lauren,
DeleteI completely identify with you when you say rereading is somewhat of a bother, but it really does help sometimes! Even on tests, I thought rereading the question was incredibly silly, but recently I realized that we aren't all exactly geniuses and we do not pick up every single detail upon the first reading. My lesson was learned when I took the SAT for the first time and scored horribly because I rushed through every passage and didn't bother going back and reading over it a second time. I then retook the test and read each passage twice, and my score literally doubled. I suppose we all have different ways of retaining information and we just have to go through a series of trials and errors to figure out what's best for each of us.
This is a general comment to some of the posts. Students often feel like re-reading or DE notes, etc. are a distraction to the process. If the goal is to read and "get through it" then I suppose that would be ture. But it's the time in which we pause, reflect, re-read that we gain new insights and understanding. Most of the texts we read are not plot based--you don't just read through for understanding. There are layers. In order to recognize and appreciate those layers, one must learn to slow down and read in new ways.
ReplyDeleteMac
When i usually read books out of enjoyment for my myself, i don't reread the text or entire page until i didn't quite understand in what they are saying or don't understand certain words. When it comes towards just reading for a school assignment, for instance,i almost always reread just to make sure i know what the plot of the story or text is and understand the words that are provided that i haven't seen before. An experience of rereading that i have done in my past was when i was reading " The Crucible" in this play/story there was several words that i haven't seen before or heard before in my life and there were also quite a number of times i would had to reread just because i didn't understand what they were saying.
ReplyDeleteRereading is very important to apply to your life style because you don't know that out of no-where you might seen something in one way but the next day see it in the other way. Take a movie at the movie theaters for a instance you have seen it at the movies and you know what's basically about a couple days later the movie comes out in DVD and you buy it and watch it again. You then notice there are things or parts in the movie you didn't see before. You watch again to make sure and then you make a definite decision that there were parts you really didn't notice or quite understand, until you re-seen it. This relates to rereading in books. Need it for the less rereading is NOT ONLY for those who don't understand the text on the first rereading, it basically for everyone. Rereading can go towards to a person that don't understand what they have read or a person rereading a favorite book. Just depends you situation and the person behind the pages. :D
Jasmine,
DeleteI agree with you very much that every time through a text, whether print or visual, something is revealed. It may not always be something new but may be something more that you saw or realized the first time. As someone else referenced, exploring text is often like peeling off the layers of an onion. Rereading definitely doesn't mean a reader is deficient in any way.
SBL
Hi Jasmine,
DeleteYes, I think there are many purposes for re-reading or "re-viewing," but I think sometimes enjoyment can even be one. There are books that I dearly love and returning to them brings much fulfillment!
Mrs. Mac
Every piece of literature contains many layers of meaning. In addition to the actual plot, there are allegories, symbols, and other hidden messages placed in the pages of every book by its author. Regardless of the reader's dedication or investment in a piece of literature, these extra layers can easily be missed. Of course, some readers will only focus on the plot, and many others will be in too great of a rush to notice anything other than what a class assignment requires of them. However, the dedicated reader also misses much of a book's meaning if the book is read only once. In "How to Read Literature Like a Professor", Foster argues that all literature is connected to other pieces of literature. Characters resemble characters from different books; symbols often times express the same idea throughout literature. These connections give the work a stronger meaning to those who can perceive them. He gives an example of a piece with a character resembling a character from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Any student in this class will have read Hamlet and would be able to immediately make the connection, and their reading experience would be greatly enhanced. What about the readers who have not read Hamlet? They will not be able to understand the connection and will only be reading at the most basic level. What if the connection is to a work not as popular as Hamlet? Then even the well-read students in senior level literature classes could miss the connection THE FIRST TIME THE PIECE IS READ. If, for example, a student read Harry Potter without first reading Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities." The reader will entirely miss the obvious similarities between Sydney Carton and Severus Snape. But when he goes to read Harry Potter again, after "A Tale of Two Cities", he will realize the connection. Most readers will continue to read other books before rereading; therefore, their ability to make these connections is greatly enhanced. Rereading, therefore, gives a reader a greater understanding of the book being read. I reread a lot of my books because it helps me understand what the book really means. I am now looking forward to rereading “Grapes of Wrath.” Since I first read this book, I have read several other works by Steinbeck, a little bit more of Shakespeare, and some modern novels. I hope that the things I learned from these books will help me when better understand “Grapes of Wrath.” Since I already know what will happen to the characters, I will be able to focus more on these connections and deeper meaning within the text.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about Harry Potter and A Tale of Two Cities really interested me, because I have never caught those similarities between Snape and Carton—even though I’ve read both a couple of times. Of course now what makes them so similar is quite plain to see. In fact I had always thought of Snape as a kind of Heathcliff, who was consumed with jealousy and hate because he couldn’t be with Catherine—there was little to redeem Heathcliff except tragedy. Now as I see it Snape’s character is completely transformed. For rather than being entirely consumed with his love for Lilly and hate for James he has enough compassion and love to be good (like Carton); it always seemed to me that he was driven for love of Lilly and indebtedness to Dumbledore; now it is only love of Lilly. This is a breakthrough...Thanks.
DeleteI like the connections you are drawing from Rereading text. Even still, I argue that the same connections can be drawn by other methods. If rereading is what you enjoy by all means do so, but please understand that a text can be further analyzed without it. I strongly believe that reading other peers reviews or discussing topics can be far more effective. Just like rereading discussion allows for multiple interpretations of the text, however unlike rereading it also enables the readers to refute or support any ideas that are presented. I would also like to touch upon your statement about multiple layers of meaning. While I agree that multiple layers exist, I would also like to present the option of a very literal meaning. Like I’ve stated many times before it’s just as important to be able to see a house for a house, as opposed to seeing it as some allusion or metaphor. The significance of seeing meaning as the author intends is where I deviate from Foster. Foster believes in creating meaning, and that this meaning is important. I believe only intended meaning is important.
DeleteJack, I must say that I completely agree with you. Intertextuality is an essentially part of any book. While I've yet to read A Tale of Two Cities, I must say that I've always had a particular dislike of Snape's expectancy of empathy and self assigned tragedian status. Based only on Emily's response, I find it difficult to look at Snape as solely motivated by love. Regardless, he is one of many characters who simply attract analysis.
DeleteI can understand Andrew's viewpoint, to an extent. When the hunt for symbolism becomes a hunt only for the sake of the hunt and stops adding to overall analysis and resonance of the piece, it becomes destructive to the text. In most cases, however, such is not an immediate concern.
Jack,
ReplyDeleteIntertextuality is a valuable tool. When readers make connections-text to text, text to self, text to life- literature becomes much richer and more worthwhile. Literature enhances life by enabling us to learn from the themes and characters and applying lessons learned to our own lives. We gain discernment, personally and socially. Connecting what we already know to new information is the most basic way to learn.
SBL
Personally, I’m a huge rereader. If I read a good book (as most of mine are), than I’m apt to treat it just like any good movie or song: I want to experience it again. For me, reading a book is much like blazing a path through a forest. I’m not looking around at every single bird or flower I see; I’m focused on getting through the bushes, around the trees, and over the rocks. However, the second time I walk the path again, I can take my time. After all, I’ve already made the trail and gotten through the hardest parts. On the second journey, I’m able to be more casual and perhaps stop and examine an interesting fungal growth on a tree, or stare at the clouds without worrying about a misstep or getting lost. I already know where I’m going. And each trip gets easier and easier to traverse, since I’m already familiar with the terrain. It allows me to spend more time on the surroundings and relish the joy in just walking or all the things around me.
ReplyDeleteAnd that’s how I read books, except with less dirt and mosquitoes. The first time I open the cover, I’m thrust into the beginning of a plot. At the time, I have no idea what’s going on so I must take it a page at a time. Slowly, as chapters pass and the plot thickens, I begin to understand what’s going on. When I finish with the last page, and it’s a pretty good book, I’m sad that it’s over. The sadness is often a result of being unable to continuously appreciate the novel and all the little things the author slipped into it. That’s why I like rereading books. The second time around, I can pick up on the subtle things that build upon the story and develop it into a masterpiece. I can laugh to myself about knowing the end result and watching a character struggle through his or her scripted life. I’m able to to remember all the little parts of the book that made me chuckle and enjoy them once again. Anticipation wells within me as I wait for a really good part to happen. As well, since I’ve already read the book and I generally know what’s going to happen, rereading allows me to think about the novel more while reading it. What if the character did this or that? What if this were somehow occurring in the real world (I’m weird, so sue me) and how would the people really react or respond? What if I was in the book? Etcetera.
Rereading allows me to squeeze every last drop of fun out of a book. It’s not just because I may not understand a passage, but it’s to get the most out of the print. After all, if I don’t like a book, I don’t really want to read it once. But if I enjoy it, I’d like to experience it again and again and again.
I like the idea that characters have a 'scripted life'. Everything that happens to a character is predetermined. Once the character's destination is understood during the first reading of a text, the reader can attempt to better understand why and how he got to that destination during a second or third reading. Perhaps a hidden truth about a character is revealed towards the end of a book. During a second reading, with that truth already revealed, certain decisions made by that character might make more sense. With the predetermined destination already known, during a second reading, the reader can focus on the twists and turns the character made to get there. Thus, the reader develops a better understanding of the character.
DeleteI envy your ability to reread whatever book you please with such ease and excitement. Sadly, I am not a rereader, I find the process extremely challenging. There are numerous books I would enjoy rereading but cannot bring myself to do so unless it is for the sake of school. It seems my problem lies in the area in which you thrive, knowing the characters thoughts and actions makes me lose interest in the book. I think my wanting to know the unknown is the motivation that drives me through a book and without that motivation i cannot bring myself to successfully complete a reread.
DeleteI must say that in many ways, I agree with your interpretation of rereading a text. I appreciate texts that can withstand such. However, like Ms. McElroy, I also enjoy the language present in the text during both my first and following reads. While both your post and many of those above and below it address analysis during a rereading, I see very few that contemplate the analysis of a text outside of the text. This infinitely interesting to me—that we, as a group, do not take a text outside of the covers it resides within.
DeleteBrian,
ReplyDeleteI love the "blazing a path" simile and the journey metaphor. You are obviously a reader and a writer. For me, it's about experiencing the artistry of a text--not just story. This is why a book like Twilight or Hunger Games keeps me reading for plot and character, but there is no substance, no art. I would never re-read these texts. I think re-reading is often reserved for great art!
Mrs. Mac
Rereading has never been something that I put much time into. If I am to reread a passage or book, it's most likely because an assignment asked a question about a detail to which I only gave a passing glance. I rarely reread books that I read for personal pleasure, only ones that classes force upon me. If I do take the time to reread without the cold hands of academics shoving me into the action, it will be either years later--making the details and intricacies of the plot seem new and exciting again--or it will be during my initial reading--going back after a major event to check on a hint or recall a detail. The latter of the two is much more common.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't to say that I don't see much importance in reliving and reveling in a story. I'm just an... "impatient" reader, for lack of a better word. I can't sit still long enough for most books, yet I can't stand stories which don't provide a deep backstory and an intricate plot. It serves as a bit of a paradox. I know many readers who love rereading and finding new aspects of the novels that they missed before, but I have trouble sitting down to read a book for the first time. Any of the small group of books which I have been able to get caught up in (which I know there are more of out there but have a hard time finding) even with my picky paradoxical prerequisites does the same to me as those who spend day in and day out reading and rereading. I always get more out of these books when I go back to reread them. I'm just a bit harder than most to draw into and hold within a story.
Chandler,
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading this because we are very similar in the sense that we both would rather not go back on any text. However, in reference to my post, "I understood that it was necessary to reexamine many texts. In order to do so, I needed to reread." Knowing that you are well gifted in many subjects, I think both you and I would agree that we gotta do what we gotta do. I also love how you distinguish the difference between the "importance in reliving and reveling in a story" and being impatient with a text. Well written.
Chandler,
DeleteI agree with you in the sense that rereading has not been something I've ever put much time into. Also when I do find myself rereading it's because I have an assignment that asked a question therefore I return to the book or passage so I can reread to find the answer. I would also consider myself and impatient reader, I can't sit still long enough to read a book the first time hardly. Let along to reread it when I already know the outcome. Although I'll admit the one time I did reread I beleive I got more out of it, but it goes back to not having the time concept.
Chandler,
DeleteI also agree in the sense that rereading has not been something I put to much time into. Like you,I also tend to do the most rereading when I have an assignment that askes a question about a novel or passage. However, I also find myself rereading when I do not fully understand what the text is saying. I am also an impatient reader, I would much rather be doing something physically active then rereading a text. I do believe that rereading a text is most of the time beneficial, it helps the reader to fully understand what they have read and may help clear up anything that they were confused about.
I find myself rereading texts often, but for varying reasons. In my mind, for the most part, I divide my reading texts into two seperate categories: readings for pleasure and readings for school. Between those two categories is where I find the dividing line of my reason for rereading.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to acedemic readings, I often find my mind drifting while reading, mostly do to lack of interest in the selection. When this happens, I can have "read" through several pages of a book but not obtained any of the information because my mind was elsewhere. Once I realize how far I've gotten withouth actually paying attention to anything, I give myself a pep talk and go back to where my understanding left off. For this reason, sometimes it can take me long time to get through an assignment, which is especially a problem when the assignment is to be completeted in class. For instance, this past year in AP Language we did many in class rehtorical analysis essays, which usually involved reading a lengthy essay and then responding to it in our paper. Those were a weakness for me because I usually did have to reread the passage several times, some being because I missed things and others being to get down to the details for my essay. While it can be irritating to have to reread for a reason other than pleasure, I know that I always get everything I need to get from the reading in the end.
As for reading for pleasure, my repetativeness comes from personal desire to get everything the author had in store for the reader. The book that I find myself rereading the most is the Bible. I enjoy reading this because there is some much detail and motive packed into every passage, even every sentence that I don't want to miss a thing. I can read a passage and get the overall gist of what it's saying. But when I go through and read it again, more slowly and carefully, I can come to a whole new conclusion at the end. By rereading I can also pick up on specific words chosen to decribe something over another. Since the Bible was written in a different time period, looking up the trasnlation of the word and what it really meant during that time can really make the difference in the meaning and the whole idea.
Molly, I really understand your point about the difference between reading selections for school and those for pleasure. With school, a text is basically forced upon you (Sorry teachers.) and you must, in turn, force yourself to understand the piece or else you may fall behind in the curriculum. But when compared with a book for pleasure, such as the Bible in your case, you are emotionally invested, which makes the reading fun and that, in turn, helps you to catch the more minute details of the text. It is reasons like yours which makes me think that teachers should assign texts not based solely on curriculum alone, but with the students' interests in mind. The summer before sophomore year was a good example, as in "The Glass Castle", the main character spent the majority of her adolescence in a small town in West Virginia. That was an attempt at our interests, and to get our interests again, books should also be assigned on a common theme with a consensus of interest.
DeleteMolly,
DeleteI can fully relate to your entire view on rereading. I agree that the book or passage determines the purpose for rereading. Like you, if I am not interested in what I am reading then I struggle with paying attention. Therefore, I must go back, reread, and make sure I focus the next time through. However, when I am reading a piece that interests me I often reread text that I enjoyed to gain better insight or evoke emotion and feeling I felt the first time reading it. Each purpose is beneficial for me even though like most people, I prefer rereading for pure pleasure.
Molly,
DeleteI agree with you when you say "varying reasons". One either reads because it is required or because one recieves enjoyment from doing so. I seem to drift a little no matter what I am reading, but especially when it's something I'm not interested in which just so happens to consistantly, repetitively be academically chosen readings. I also find myself taking longer to read these academic readings because I'm constantly going back to reread because my mind was elsewhere! I can't help it if I'm not interested in what some classes or teachers assign, it just seems a bit repetitive. Especially when I know many other students feel the same.
Molly,
DeleteI would also divide my reading into two seperate categories: readings for pleasure and readings for school. Like you, when reading a school related book that I am not very interested in I have trouble focusing on what the text is saying and find myself rereading it over and over again until I fully understand what it is saying so I will not fall behind on the curriculum. However, when I am reading a piece that I have picked myslef I find myself paying closer attention to what is being said therefore, I do not have to reread as much.
Am I a rereader? After sitting around thinking about this for approximately a week, I have decided that I am and I am not.
ReplyDeleteThe term "rereading" could have several variations and I have come up with two to justify my answer above. When reading a novel, a passage, a short story--any form of literature, really--I reread separate pages as I go along. I have a terrible attention span and can only stay concentrated on something I'm not completely engaged in for a few minutes, sometimes even seconds, before something catches my eye or I remember something interesting. "Spacing out" is such a cliche, but I do it all the time. One minute I'll be reading, and before I know it I'll be watching my cat roll around on my floor or checking my phone. For example, I have a terribly boring job; I work in a candy store at an amusement park and I might get five customers in eight hours. So, to keep myself busy, I brought "Hamlet" along. I've never been very fond of Shakespeare (am I going to get lynched for saying that as an AP lit student?) but I knew I had to embrace it and just buckle down and read it. As I mentioned before, at work, I could sit for hours doing literally nothing. I opened up my copy of "Hamlet," and a mere few minutes later, I realized I was playing solitaire on my phone. This happened several times before I finally gave up and decided it would be better to read at home. It is in this sense that I am a rereader. I'll read a few paragraphs, get distracted, forget what's happening, and have to reread the last paragraph I just read. I also have to constantly flip back a few pages or chapters to reference an earlier event or character to make connections in order to make sense of anything confusing (i.e. "Hamlet").
However, I am not a rereader when it comes to picking up a material I've already read and reading the entire thing, start to finish, over again. I've had this problem since I was little; I couldn't even read picture books over again. I suppose that most of the time I read for the plot. If the literature doesn't have a plot, I'm not interested, and if I've read it, I already know what's going to happen and the surprise and suspense is gone. For me, it's like going to see a movie after your friend just told you the ending. The only book I've ever been able to reread was "Breakfast of Champions" by Kurt Vonnegut because I've always thought that the plot of this particular novel wasn't the most important aspect. The book has so many elements that they're easily forgotten, so I still enjoy rereading it; this is why "Breakfast of Champions" is my favorite novel I've ever read. Books with simple language and a straightforward plot, to me, aren't worth my time rereading when I could be reading something completely new to me.
Ellie-
DeleteI “space out,” as well. One thing, I don’t think I mentioned in my blog is the point you made about rereading due to this “spacing out.” If I didn’t get so dis- Oh! Look a squirrel!, then I would be able to breeze through books, but since I my attention span doesn’t exist, I have to reread because when I read it goes in one ear and out the other. It’s like what happens when my mother talks to me. I also can’t “speed read,” for when I try this, I don’t retain anything I read. Don’t worry Ellie, you’re not alone. Hey, we should start a support group!
Dylan
Ellie-
DeleteI also forgot about "spacing out", but it is a very bad habit of mine. I tend to start reading one section or paragraph and then find myself thinking about something that is completely irrelevant! Dylan made a good point when he said that he wasn't a speed reader, because I am quite possibly the slowest reader in the world. This happened to me while reading 'Hamlet'. I opened up the first page of the book and caught myself rereading it one hundred times. Since we live in such a technologically advanced world, I devised a new plan! I downloaded the audiobook onto my IPad and read the book while listening to the different voices. By listening to the audiobook, one can establish emotions and understand how each character is played. When I finally understood what was going on, I was able to read the play by myself, but I had a huge understanding of what was going on. Seriously though, I will totally join this support group!!
Rereading, to me, is a tool to help understand a text to a more full degree. I typically will reread a passage in a novel or, more often, a Shakespearian play to better grasp the meaning of the language used as well as the context of the literary situation. I would not say, however, that one could label me as a rereader. I don’t practice the popular study skill of doing something over and over until it is ingrained in my mind, so I do not read something over and over again until a sudden epiphany surprises me with the answer to my queries.
ReplyDeleteAlong with my beliefs of rereading, I do not believe rereading is only a tool meant for those lacking understanding of a text. Rereading is a tool made for all readers to take advantage of (Because really how long could it take to read that paragraph again?). Although rereading is primarily used for grasping the meaning of a text, it is also commonly used as a form of enjoyment among readers. For example, a passage in a novel could be amusing and make the reader laugh. That reader may subconsciously make a decision to read that humorous passage again and again until they curb their enthusiasm.
An experience that I’ve had with rereading happened during the summer before my freshman year of high school, in which I was battling “To Kill A Mockingbird” in an attempt to decipher Harper Lee’s 1930s law jargon as well as the sayings of the era and dialect of the Alabama town where the story takes place. I didn’t reread the novel, per say, and in fact I fell asleep in the first 50 pages. What I did to understand the plot was watch the movie. I regret to say that it helped, but it goes to show that there is more than one way to reread a text. So, to recap, I am not a rereader.
Sam, I can relate to most of what you've said here. I don't consider myself a rereader, however, for similar reasons to your own. I'll reread paragraphs or sentences in complicated texts such as Shakespearian plays or other writings where unusual phrases and dialects are used in order to solidify the meaning in my mind. However, more often I tend to zone out after an extended period of reading and find myself needing to go back to where my train of thought was derailed. My rereading is more to get my mind involved back in the text than to recap and gain understanding, so it definitely is not just a tool for those lacking understanding of a text.
DeleteSam,
DeleteYou bring up a very interesting point. Are there multiple ways to reread something? I agree that there are. If we think of the idea and concept behind rereading we see its just attaining information we had already glimpsed over. Though the literal form of rereading would require us to read the text again, the same concept is in place if we acquire the information again through a different form of media. Of course the different forms of media would have to have the same plot and all the elements of a story in order for you to be gaining the same information again.
In terms of full bodies of text, such as complete books, plays, poems, etc… I am not normally a rereader. I usually don’t read something from cover to cover multiple times; it takes an exceptional piece of writing to invoke that caliber of interest in me. In the past, my experiences with rereading entire pieces of literature were solely for the purpose of enjoyment. It is rare, however, that I read something which I like that much.
ReplyDeleteRereading small pieces or passages of an overall work of literature is common for me. Usually this happens more with the academic aspects of reading. Failure to understand or grasp what the author is trying to say the first time around results in rereading a paragraph or two. In my opinion, rereading isn’t just for those who don’t understand, however. Anything can cause someone to read a passage more than once. Sometimes, language is just so beautiful that a reader is taken aback and must reread (see the works of William Shakespeare). Sometimes, a piece of text can be so surreal that one will have to reread just to be sure they comprehended an insane message (“Alice in Wonderland“, “Through the Looking Glass“). Different people have different reasons for rereading; it is not simply for those who lack understanding.
Rereading has its benefits, of course. As with everything, though, it also has its drawbacks. Reading a piece of text too many times can lost all meaning for the reader. Analysis which delves too deep into what could perhaps be a face-value message could very well convolute the author’s intent for the ambitious reader.
I am a re-reader. I always try to find time to reread, or re-listen, or re-familiarize myself with a text; I have found that returning to a story really helps me absorb all aspects of what I read. Not everyone should have to reread if they dislike it or find no value in it; however, it seems that many people would struggle to understand something fully the first time they pass through a book. Understanding often comes from repetition, familiarization, appreciation, and a broader field to refer to. Rereading offers a perfect opportunity for me, and I think many others, to tap into deeper understanding using improved mental resources.
ReplyDeleteI have found that rereading gives me more out of the reading experience; for one thing I often miss details that going back through I can catch. I truly believe that with rereading there comes a deeper, richer level of understanding and even appreciation for a work especially because there already exists a familiarity with the basic structure or story. If I wait and return to a story after some time I have noticed that often times I can better understand the various nuances or tricks that enrich the story. I will have more experiences and knowledge to use and relate back to when I reread. After reading a book like Foster’s, it proves that there will always be something to find inside of the text. So rereading presents the opportunity to try out his tricks on old favorites.
Truly understanding and knowing anything that one reads or studies helps further personal knowledge and appreciation. The first time I read a book I often seem to become overwhelmed by the basic storyline and struggle to appreciate those deeper meanings often so important to the full enjoyment of readings. So by going back I can take the time to analyze the basic story further
Emily, Although we had slightly different views on rereading full texts, I liked your point about how important it is to re-familiarize oneself with a piece of literature. I’m assuming that this can be particularly helpful in a classroom setting, so I’m sure we will all get some real-life experience with this soon enough. Your assertion that “there will always be something to find inside of the text” interests me. I never thought of that, but I suppose that if one looks deep enough and analyzes enough, that could be very true. In this way, I can totally see how rereading can be beneficial.
DeleteEmily,
DeleteYou make very insightful points about the rereading experience. I definitely agree that reading through a text multiple times enriches one’s understanding of the work and helps one develop a deeper appreciation for its message. In order to grasp a book’s full significance, one must receive more than a basic introduction; going back through a work a second time allows one to analyze and pick up on key details that may have not been apparent upon first glance. It is true that more complex works can seem “overwhelming” at first, but after studying a text further, it becomes much easier to piece together its meaning and appreciate its message on a more profound scale.
Emily, While reading your post it made me think of how it relates to other real world examples. Anytime one is writing something and they can't find anything wrong with it, it is best for them to step away from the piece and come back to it later with fresh eyes so that they aren't still on the same train of thought. This technique is not only useful in literature. Any time one is in a creative rut or have been working on the same puzzle/problem for hours, this is also a useful tactic for them to use to get them where they need to be to solve whatever they are having trouble with.
DeleteThroughout several years of evaluating texts, especially in recent years, I have discovered that rereading is vitally important to fully understand the author's message. Growing up, I thought rereading was unnecessary. However, as I gradually matured and I came across more complex reading material, I understood that it was necessary to reexamine many texts. In order to do so, I needed to reread. Although rereading can be time consuming, I realize that elements of the author's rhetoric become more and more apparent as I reread.
ReplyDeleteI have also discovered through my own experience that rereading can also be beneficial to one's own writing. As I dwell upon the previous year in AP Language, I recall numerous assignments requiring the student to assess the author's style then write about how the author conveyed their message. Naturally, as a person reads a text for the first time he/she will not do a thorough examination and look for how the author may employ various rhetorical devices. Rather, a person most likely desires a basic understanding then inquires about the devices utilized in the text. For example, if one may take interest in evaluating this post, he/she would most likely have to reread it because they would have limited understanding of the post. Therefore, to claim rereading is only for those who don't understand a text the first time around would be illogical. Through experience, I guarantee anyone that if they reread a text, they will have a much greater understanding of the text than they did before.
Luke,
DeleteI agree that reading a passage one time will not allow the reader to thoroughly examine and discover the many rhetorical devices used by the author. Like you, I learned this in AP Language. I would acquire a general understanding of the text before rereading to depict the various elements used to create it. Taking the time to reread passages helps one to gain insight that may have been missed the first time through. By analyzing pieces of literature and looking for small details the reader gains a deeper, more in-depth understanding of it. This process not only makes improved, more precise readers, but also writers.
Luke I wholeheartedly agree with your post. As a reader I normally fail to pick up on most rhetorical devices used by an author after just one time through. This is most likely due to the fact that the first time I read a text it is for the sole purpose of understanding the story and concept of the book. However, the second or perhaps even the third time I read a book I am able to dissect the author's writing style and also pick up little nuances that enrich the text. Like both you and Kelsie, I found being able to pick up on the authors use of rhetorical devices to be extremely helpful in the rhetorical analysis essay on the AP exam.
DeleteI am going to be blunt. I am not, generally, a rereader. I don’t often see a point in it. The only times I reread is when I need to extract specific information from a text for school assignments. I go by this guideline when I read: If I don’t remember it the first time I read, then it must not be too important and not worth going back over. Rereading is not just for people who don’t understand text the first time through, though.
ReplyDeleteRereading has many uses. For those who are philosophers, rereading might aid them in unearthing a deeper meaning from a text. Rereading might be useful if one wishes to get better acquainted with characters in a text. By connecting with the characters, reading can become more engaging, thus by knowing the characters, readers can get more out of a text.
My experiences with rereading haven’t been very pleasant. This has been mostly due me not liking a book to begin with, and then having to do an assignment on it. I have Attention Deficit Disorder and staying focused isn’t my forte, so if I don’t absolutely love a book, I only retain the basic plot. This is why I am often in the dark about things like “What does this say about that?” or “What does the author mean by…?.”
I suppose I should reread text more. It would simplify things for me a lot. Getting the most I can of a text will probably be essential for surviving this class.
I absolutely, positively, and completely agree with you!!!! I believe the only time I have ever reread anything was for something important such as testing; SAT, ACT, AP testing, etc. I have a hard time staying interested and focused also! If a book does not intrigue me in the first couple chapters then it is nearly impossible for me to finish the whole book. I love those questions on tests that say, "what does the author mean in lines 65-78" because I can go straight to that specific place and read a few places ahead and a few places after and understand what they are talking about. i should also learn to reread more in order to be successful in this class!
DeleteI completely relate with what you're saying here, Dylan. School assignments and standardized tests are about the only reasons I reread texts. It's necessary to a point when a question asks about what is meant in line 27, so what's the point in rereading before you look at the questions? Why would I waste time rereading the first paragraph and gaining a deep understanding there if the questions only ask about the second? School and testing ruin reading in my opinion.
DeleteOn another note, I feel I should make a slightly unorthodox point about rereading. You mentioned your ADD and how it affects your reading and understanding, so I wanted to make a point about a different way of reliving a plot. I know that you're a fairly avid gamer, so I wanted to pose the question of whether or not you enjoy replaying games. I understand this isn't quite "rereading", and I'm sure some of the literature "nuts" (for lack of a better word) will want to slap me after reading this. However, it is a way of reliving a story and reexamining the details contained within, especially in storyline-heavy games. I suspect that you can relate to this, so I wanted to ask the question (in the form of a statement, of course).
"The only times I reread is when I need to extract specific information from a text for school assignments." YES. Primarily, I only reread to find something in order to prepare myself for discussion or in search of support for an argument on that text. Then have been a few times I reread for enjoyment or curiousity, but that is extremely rare. Dylan, I'm glad you came to the conclusion that rereading is important and beneficial. I am not ADD but I do find it very difficult to focus on reading something I do not particularly enjoy, however, unless we do not completely dive into the work, we may never experience what the author is truly telling us, or may never come to ideas that were provoked by deep reading and rereading.
DeleteFor me, rereading is a tool that I utilize often when attempting to discern a text. Contrary to some of my classmates I do not reread for enjoyment, but instead I reread with a rather stoic mindset. I do this because rereading in this way allows for a reader to ascertain the author's true meaning without muddling the text with his/her own beliefs. This sort of impassive view toward reading scholarly and highly philosophical works such as, The Grapes of Wrath, has led me to grow as a reader. To me, progression is key in becoming a more literate person.
ReplyDeleteAs such, rereading is not only for people who do not comprehend the text the first time, but for any person who wants to try and perfect their skills as a reader. Reading is a skill like any other. In order to perfect a skill one might find themselves doing the same thing over and over again. For example, as a baseball player I hit off of a stationary tee for hours at a time in order to perfect my craft. An outsider looking in may question this seemingly ineffective method of becoming a better hitter, yet it is one of the most crucial workouts for a baseball player. The same concept applies to rereading. It is not until one tries and experiences the benefits for themselves that that person truly understands the usefulness of rereading.
Therefore, one must have the presence of mind to be open to previously discounted methods. That is even if it is something as simple as rereading an old book.
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ReplyDeleteWell, I have to reread. If I don't, it fells like I may be missing something the author is trying to tell me, and if I miss that something, then the authors purpose is distorted in my eyes. Imagine, if you will, a giant jigsaw puzzle each piece serves a purpose for the greater meaning of any text whether it be from the Bible, from the mythologies of the Greeks and Romans, or from the local newspaper. If I miss something the author said, then there is a hole in my puzzle.I'm missing a piece. I have to the find the missing piece, and in order to find that piece witch could very well unlock the greater meaning of the text I have to reread. If not for a second time, but for a third or forth or fifth, even. So, unlike a gifted few or many, they can piece together what the author is saying ,and why, and what action the author is trying to bring their readers too, and how the author is persuading their readers to action. I have to reread in order to piece together the puzzle the author has given me. If I don't paranoia sets ,and, I have to.
ReplyDeleteSo, rereading isn't always for the ones who miss the meaning at first glance. It could be very well an odd, if not, good habit to have. It takes me longer to finish a text, but I can walk away knowing I have collected all the knowledge I need to decide whether or not I need to take action on an inward scale or an outward scale. Reading is all about the meaning, and the meaning is the purpose of the author.
Blake,
DeleteYou present quite a compelling analogy when you compare rereading to searching for pieces in a puzzle. I have never considered reading in that way before, as a hunt for missing clues. I agree that rereading is key to understanding a text and one must dig beneath the surface of a work in order to uncover its full significance. As you have said, “reading is all about the meaning,” and it takes more than a brief skim through a text to grasp the entirety of the author’s message. Writing is overflowing with hidden meaning and symbolism, which are only revealed after a thorough examination of a piece. Even though it may take longer to reread sections in a work, the extra thought one devotes to a text will help uncover crucial pieces to the literary puzzle.
Blake, while I agree that it's incredibly important to analyze a text and understand it as fully as possible (especially as it was intended), many of these texts are deeply influenced or reference works or events that have been lost in time or memories. To extend on your metaphor this would mean that perhaps some child had eaten, buried, or in some way destroyed the puzzle piece such that it was taken away. To you this would mean the puzzle could never be completed, even with a full understanding of every other piece. Such an image is haunting and irksome, yet as often as this happens with Shakespeare's or other author's works, we still enjoy what has remained. We can, in fact, feel resolved or pleased after a reading which, personally, would not parallel my feelings of completing a puzzle (except for the one piece). Or, alternatively, many of the books we see today are relatively ditzy and mortal. A puzzle representative might be that of a child's, of which I have very little satisfaction completing.
DeleteI’ve had many enjoyable experiences rereading books. When I read, I am first and foremost experiencing the book emotionally, and any detail-oriented analytical information I pick up is a side effect of being immersed in the narrative. As much as I value critical reading, I just can’t focus on the literary quality of a work the first time through, unless the book fails to do its job of having an engaging story and characters. Rereading works I enjoyed is a chance for me to pick them over and look for elements I may have missed the first time, details of character or place or symbolism that improve the book on a conscious rather than visceral level. It is by no means necessary for me to enjoy a work, but rather a way to continue enjoying something I particularly love.
ReplyDeleteI reread things for other reasons as well, however. With enough time in between each reread, whole dimensions of favorite stories may appear under the new lense of gained experience, offering a reading experience that is at once comfortingly familiar and entirely new. I reread the Harry Potter books, for example, when I feel like it’s been a little too long since I’ve visited Hogwarts. I may not be gleaning new literary details by reading Order of the Phoenix for the fifth time, but I am experiencing a well-loved story differently than I did when I was fourteen, or twelve, or nine, or seven.
The above may not be true for others who see rereading as tedious or as a sign of inattention and poor comprehension rather than as an appreciation of depth in works of fiction, but I suspect that I will always have a weakness for revisiting those worlds that I love most.
Katie, I feel like we have identical feelings toward rereading. I myself, while never having read the works of Rowling, have my own book series that I enjoy trawling through every so often. It’s like going to an amusement park you’ve gone to throughout your entire childhood: it’s the same as it’s always been, but you get such a rush every time you return. You ride the same rides each time, but you occasionally try out the recently installed one, or the one you didn’t have time for on the last journey. And you can never get to be too old for amusement parks.
DeleteHowever, I do notice that your attitude towards rereading seems to be primarily focused on reading for pleasure. Do you apply this same mindset toward works of a more scholarly level and complexity? Or do you shift aside the emotional reaction and just sift through the jargon to locate the information? Myself, it depends on how the writing is laid out. If the author is quite personal and is dealing in the realm of non-fiction, I tend to read his or her work partially for enjoyment as well as for what they are trying to tell me. Yet when I read some official document or fairly ancient material, I normally trudge through it whilst picking out what I’m supposed to be looking for. Is that similar to what you do as well?
Brian, it's true that I failed to include a discussion of rereading non-fiction. My behavior is like yours in that I usually read informal non-fiction books for the enjoyment of learning, and as such it's much the same as when reading for pleasure, with the exception that I rarely reread the entire book. It's hard to analyze for theme and symbolism while reading only passages of a book, because it's often a complex web threading through the whole novel. In non-fiction, though, there's little in the way of deeper meaning to find, and I can just reread the passages directly relating to a concept or fact I've forgotten, rather than rereading the entire book.
DeleteWith denser materials, non-fiction or not, I often find it beneficial to work through the text once at the level of paragraph, scene, or chapter, in order to understand the basics, before reading through a second time to appreciate the finer meanings or the language as well as to fight through snarls of snytax that may have been a stumbling block the first time through. (As a side note, many editions of Shakespeare have an extremely useful summary of each scene or act that mostly eliminates the need for two readings, allowing me to read for enjoyment of the language the first time through.)
I generally do not reread as much as I should, but occasionally I will return to a text if it has made a significant impression on me. Oftentimes I will not grasp the full meaning of a more complex work until I have read it multiple times. Rereading is crucial when analyzing and understanding literature because it allows one to delve deeper into a text to discover new meaning. While a cursory skim might suffice at first, until one probes further into a work, the full extent of its message will never be realized. This is true with every type of writing; the full depth of a piece is not always apparent upon first glance. When I reread a passage, a page or even an entire book, I pick up on many significant details that I missed at first. Literature is designed to inspire readers to think and consider concepts in new ways—providing a window of new insight. Writing is saturated with meaning beyond its ostensible plot, and one must dig deeper in order to uncover its hidden substance.
ReplyDeleteIt is not even always necessary for me to have to reread an entire book in order to gain a deeper understanding. Often, rereading can be as simple as looking over a paragraph twice. After I read a passage once, a phrase or an idea may catch my eye and cause me to pause and consider it further. I might jump back a few lines and read over the words more carefully. Studying the section more closely this time, I can begin to dissect the author’s thoughts and discover a new significance that was not originally so clear. This process is a key step in becoming a more conscientious reader and allows one to extract the most from every piece of writing.
I seem to be on the same boat as many of the other bloggers in that I’m not much of a rereader but I understand its great importance. There is one example that always comes to mind when I hear the word “reread.”
ReplyDeleteWhen I first learned how to read, the only stories I would read were by Dr. Seuss, in particular, “Yertle the Turtle.” I loved that story and probably reread it a thousand times when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I reread it a few years later that I looked past the plot at face value, and saw the direct allusion to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Europe and persecution of the Jews. It became a completely different story in a matter of minutes. The story went from innocent children’s story about stacking turtles to the story of the darkest time in human history. I couldn’t believe I had read this story so many times oblivious to something so huge. Immediately, the journey to reread every Dr. Seuss story out there began. The Cold War, racism, materialism, and many other individual and world issues started popping up with every story I read. It was amazing to see how much I had learned and how much my perspective has changed in those few years. This rereading not only allowed me to pick up on things I didn’t catch the first time (and to experience a little childhood nostalgia), it served as a checkpoint of my education. It is very rare that anyone gets to utilize so many things they had learned and experienced over the years in one instance. “Yertle the Turtle” remains my favorite story.
It's fascinating to realize how well (and how intelligent) Theodor Geisel's books are written. By sewing together politics, for example, and a children's story allows to children to understand more clearly how the world works (in this case, politically). A child, when first being taught about Hitler, may not stand up in history class and exclaim: "Like Yurtle the Turtle, right?" But having such an unconscious awareness that something like that may happen is infinitely helpful in that lesson. Plus, of course, it’s Easter Eggs for everyone once you’re old enough to look for them.
Delete(Although it’s interesting that I cannot personally deem any worth from the Cat and the Hat, no matter how hard I attempt.)
I enjoy and benefit from rereading text and passages. Whether it is for a better understanding, an effort to gain more insight, or to relive the pure delight I received the first time I read it, rereading is never a nuisance in my eyes. Even though I do reread when I do not understand the text on the first reading that is not the sole purpose for it. By taking the time to reflect and reread, one gains new insights to why the author wrote what he did and understands the deeper meaning of the story. Rereading multiple times is an important element when attempting to break down text and analyze literature. One may miss significant details during the first reading that would not be discovered upon first glance.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite reason for rereading; however, is to recreate the feelings and emotions experienced during particular pieces. Even though I have done this more so in rewatching movies such as “Remember the Titans” and “Secretariat”, it is the same concept as returning to books that made you think and feel something. I often return to books that remind me of others, an event/memory, or myself. For example, I reread passages from “The Diary of a West Point Cadet” because as the author describes his character, interests, and hobbies, it reminds me of myself, which gives me a feeling of relief that I too will be ok at West Point. Returning to this book when I am stressed or worried helps me to relive those feelings of relief and assurance. I use rereading for three main reasons, which are all beneficial to my growth as a reader.
I feel there are certain books where the reader should not completely understand the text. If it is a book that I am reading for pleasure then I have no problem in skimming the text because I still understand everything that is going on and I grasp the important details. I am not normally a rereader when it comes to books that I really like. However, most classics and literature pieces require me to have to reread. I was very surprised when I read 'Hamlet' because I understood almost everything the first time through. I was amazed at how easily I could understand the emotion and the language. However, I had to reread 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern' because it was somehow harder to understand.
ReplyDeleteI believe rereading is not only for those who don't understand the text. I believe people reread because so much meaning can be found the second time around. For example, I feel as though 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a book that most people should reread several times because of how much detail Steinbeck puts into every chapter. I have quite a bit of experience with rereading. I feel the most I have ever had to reread was on a test such as the SAT or the ACT. I would spend time going back and rereading every detail trying to understand each individual word. Sometimes it really helped me and sometimes it just wasted too much of my valuable time. Rereading is important for people,like myself, who find it hard to understand a text the first time reading it.
Lauren,
DeleteI find your opening sentence to be very curious. I too agree that sometimes an author does leave certain aspects of a text open to individual interpretation. This, in my opinion, is done for those of us who wish to reread a text at a later time and have different emotions every time through. When this is possible with a book then the author has done his job, which is to evoke deep, conflicting emotions within the reader. An example of such a book would be the Aeneid. Throughout my experience reading this book I questioned Virgil's methods, seeing as how I would find myself cheering for the supposed antagonist, Turnus. It is literary marvels such as these that make rereading an experience worthwhile.
Rarely do I reread in a scholastic sense; though I often reread for enjoyment. However, when I pick up one of my favorite books and read it over again, I always seem to discover new details that have more to do with the artistry of writing than any detail that is plot-driven. When reading a book for the first time around, I focus more on what is coming next, what twist the author has written in the pages to come. The reason for not rereading in a scholastic setting is simply because I am already taking in the piece in a stoic mindset; looking for allusions and metaphors, and focusing on the plot less often. A simple story is not what I am looking at, I am looking into the mind that is telling the story, and for what purpose it is being told.
ReplyDeleteHowever, now that the literature that I have to examine has grown in complexity and philosophical weight, I find myself rereading much more often, almost against my will. Taking on a daunting book is one of the most humbling experiences I have ever faced. Even though I read as often as I can, I find that I am not at the level of understanding that I wish to be. There always seems to be a small nuance carrying an important message that eludes me. The ability to take in all that there is at a first glance is beyond me, and maybe it always will. Though, having to continuously go over the same words to find a hidden thought is rather frustrating and tiresome. This has forced me to the realization that I must get over my streak of perfectionism and reread much more often.
I will admit I am not normally a rereader. Most of the time I reread certain passages because it didn't make sense, or I needed to clarify something, or I had so much on my mind I wasn't actually paying attention to what I was reading because I was thinking about something else entirely. I've had books and novels that I've really enjoyed, but instead of choosing to reread that certain book or nevel to recreate the emotions I once experienced, I remember the author. The next point in time I decide I would like to read a book, I try to find one by the same author that interests me. Therefore almost promising the same writing style that intrigued me so much in the last one. Which leaves me with no reason to reread a book when there's another one I might love just as much or more!
ReplyDeleteThere was one time when I did reread a book. I reread The Hunger Games right before the movie came out in March. The Hunger Games is a book we read the first semester of my sophomore year for English Honors with Mr. Roush. The first and only reading I've ever read for school an actually enjoyed. Once I realized it was part of a series I had all three read within a week. My junior year after realizing there was a movie coming out on the book, I decided to reread it only because I wanted to be able to compare the differences between the book and the movie. Having read it so fast and so long ago I didn't want to miss anything or forget anything that had happened. There's always a chance you could've missed something the first time around, and after you reread you could even discover a dipthong or a deeper meaning.
In my entire career as a reader, I have only reread one book and that was Harry Potter. I despise rereading. For me, the entire reason I read is to be completely absorbed into a novel and be excited to continue on with the story. I just cannot seem to become absorbed if I have already read the book.
ReplyDeleteRereading does have some positive outcomes. For instance, if a person does not understand a book the first time they reread it, it might be beneficial for them to reread it so they can fully grasp the concept. Reading older novels, like Shakespeare for instance, can be very confusing and sometimes impossible to understand the first time they are read. In these situations rereading is almost inevitable.
I do not think rereading is just for those who do not understand the text the first time. Some people really enjoy reading one novel and cannot seem to get enough of it. For those people, the novel reaches out to them in some shape or form that impacts their lives. In this case, rereading is fun and exciting. I am not that type of person. One time through a book and I am done.
For me, instead of rereading an entire novel because I do not understand it I reread lines. If some part of a book seems confusing to me I reread it until it makes sense so that when I finish I will not have to reread the entire book. This process works really well for me. After each chapter I make sure I remember and understand the entire chapter before continuing.
Sydney,
DeleteLike you, I have only reread one book, The Hunger Games because this was the only novel I seemed to be completley absorbed in. I agree when you say "if a person does not understand a book the first time they reread it, it might be beneficial for them to reread it so they can fully grasp the concept." I find myself doing this when I read. I also agree when you say "I do not think rereading is just for those who do not understand the text the first time. Some people really enjoy reading one novel and cannot seem to get enough of it." I know many people who read novels over and over again just because they love that one in particular novel. Like you, I also reread lines that I do not understand.
I would consider myself an occasional rereader. I honestly usually only reread when it is for a school assignment. In a school assignment I might reread for understanding and/or for a double entry note, but other than that I don’t usually reread if I am simply reading a book for pleasure. I know it sounds absolutely terrible but if I am reading a book for pleasure and I don’t fully understand a passage I don’t care enough to look more into the idea. I will dog ear pages that interest me and I do mean to go back and reread them, but I usually forget. There have only been four books that I have completely read twice and those are Last Days of Summer, Life of Pi, Holes, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. When I first reread these books, I set out to read them for enjoyment, but after finishing them the second time I realized I had also picked up on many more miniscule details that made me appreciate the books in a different way as well.
ReplyDeleteI do not think rereading is only for those who do not understand the text on the first reading. I think rereading is a great practice that all can benefit from whether they understand a passage or not, however it is also a practice I struggle with. Rereading is not only for understanding, but can also be for expansion. Perhaps rereading can bring about a brand new idea that enhances the whole reading that someone might not have gotten reading the first time alone.
I am most definitely not a rereader, except for further understanding. Honestly the only time I have successfully reread a book has been for understanding and or expansion on a school related idea. I don’t believe that is the only purpose for rereading though. On multiple occasions I have tried to rereading for pleasure. I honestly think I’ve tried rereading To Kill a Mockingbird at least four times, but I find myself not focusing as much as I would for understanding and then I usually find something that catches my attention with a new plot. I find rereading a very useful tool and I think it has the potential to positively affect my pleasure reading but for a reason I cannot understand I get bored when I reread. (It really makes no sense seeing as I can watch the same movie over and over for a month straight and not think to pick another, one would think that in that case I could reread a book a hundred times.)
ReplyDeleteSomething that I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time is to go back and reread books I have annotated in past years. Not only to see if I can actually finish it but also to see my thought processes in past years and how I have changed. I know the Overachievers was pretty much hated by the majority of those who read it (and I can’t believe I am about to say this) but I would actually consider reading it again. I put forth every ounce of effort I had into annotating it and despite the fact that the book wasn’t the most reliable for fact I think I would be able to learn from the experience.
Normally, no, I am not a rereader. The only time I normally reread things is when I’m not able to process what the words actually mean. Usually this happens because of a bit of queer wording, or perhaps even wrong word usage. Other times I will be reading a passage and stop focusing on the reading. When this happens I keep reading everything, but nothing is being retained in my mind. In order to get the words to stick I have to focus myself and read what I had just read in the newly attentive mindset. But these scenarios are what normally happen. Every so often I reread things for other reasons. If I find something that I enjoy immensely I will reread it. Just because of the amount of time required it is usually not books, but every now and then a great novel will come along and I don’t mind rereading it, though the following times reading it aren’t ever as good as the first. They lack the surprise of finding out what happens, and my interest in the second read through decreases because I already know the plot. What a book really needs for me to reread it is the right type of wording. Since I already know what happens in the story I reread for the enjoyment of appreciating the words. This could be because they have vibrant descriptions or the way the author chooses his or her words intrigues me. Books like these rarely show up, so the ones that do are very special.
ReplyDeleteLoy,
DeleteI agree completely with your post. I feel as if your experience with rereading is very similar to mine. Often when I attempt to reread, I find myself thinking about other things and barely reading the text so I feel rereading is useless. As you said, being focused is a very important component of reading; however, it just seems a bit difficult to maintain that level of focus when rereading the same material. It has lost the element of surprise, which is extremely important to me in reading. Even when I have to reread texts for understanding, I still find myself slightly distracted because the form and language is already familiar to me. Rereading in basically any form is not for me.
The phrases "They lack the surprise of finding out what happens" and "I reread for the enjoyment of appreciating the words" reminded me of why we find ourselves rewatching highlights, rather than entire matches.
DeleteThat sense of "not-knowing" solely comes during the first watch/read. This is where the true enjoyment lies, and the highlights of the match/story are the one thing that help us relive that excitement. Even though Alfred Hitchcock was talking about horror movies when he said, "there is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it," this could easily go for every entertainment medium. There is no excitement in the bang, only in the anticipation of it. Meaning that the wonder of what will happen is much more exciting than the actual event.
Rereading is an extremely tedious, dreary task for me. When I attempt to reread, I find myself merely glancing over the material rather than absorbing the meaning. It’s as if I am simply skimming the text. It’s hard for me to derive any positive results from rereading. Even if I enjoy the material, I hate the repetitive nature of rereading. If I already read it once, I’ve generally understood the text and get bored reading the same story or same message. I feel pressured to discover some new motif or symbolism when I am rereading which generally will translate into frustration, leading to me being completely unproductive.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, rereading is not completely meritless. I do reread occasionally texts of higher difficulty or more archaic language. For example, I reread many passages of Hamlet to ensure I understood the events taking place. I also tend to reread more on school assignments than joy reading. It still remains an un-enjoyable endeavor though. However, I do see the value in rereading. After rereading a text (especially one I must respond to in some way), I find myself with a better understanding and with more thoughts for a response.
While rereading is not my choice of activity under any circumstance, it holds more worth for others. I think rereading is most commonly done to gain further understanding of a text; however, some people reread simply for entertainment purposes. Abby and Ben brought up the Harry Potter Series in earlier posts and essentially how they are classics of our generation. I agree - those are the only books I have ever delighted in rereading.
I suppose the effectiveness of rereading is really just based on the reader itself.
I write this with (figurative) tears running down my cheeks. It shames me that one as brilliant and talented as you has only found enjoyment in re-reading Harry Potter. The world of literature is vast and exciting, and many areas merit a slow, joyful gaze. That you are too busy to read books again is pitiful. What good are the flowers if they die at first glance? Do the bees leave a garden because every bloom has been touched? No, they return until the flowers have been picked of their pollen and wait for them to replenish their stores the next year. So many books have pollen left for you to take if you only would reread. A common criticism of the current educational system is that we are being taught a breadth of subjects but not a depth of subjects. We've seen everything but can do nothing. You have seen so much Elizabeth, but have you stopped to learn the trade?
DeleteElizabeth,
DeleteI completely agree. Rereading can get too repetitive and ends up driving me crazy. I also find myself more willing to reread texts if there is an assignment over it. I am certain that the only book that I enjoyed rereading was "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. On another note, I also agree with Ben's comment. There is plenty of information that can be gained from rereading. I agree full-heartedly that "...we are being taught a breadth of subjects but not a depth of subjects." Unfortunately, I have not mastered "the trade."
Rereading is not something I find myself doing often. When I reread I find myself skimming the material rather than rereading it. I do not find much pleasure reading something that I have already read. I tend to only find myself rereading when I do not understand a passage, when I completely zone out and do not even remember what I have read, or when an assignment has asked a question about a novel or passage and I do not remember the answer therefore, I have to reread to find the answer.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do understand the importance of rereading. I believe it is important to reread a passage or novel when the message it is sending is not clear, this can help you better understand the novel or passage. By rereading one might also pick up on a part of the passage or novel that they did not the first time they read. Although, I also believe that while some people reread for understanding, others reread for the simple fact that they just enjoy the novel and want to read it a second or third time.
I have only reread one novel The Hunger Games. I reread this novel because I found it very interesting and it caught my attention. I enjoyed all of The Hunger Games books but only found myself rereading the first one. I also found myself rereading Hamlet a lot this summer to ensure I understood the language of the Shakespearian play and to ensure I understood what was going on throughout each act.
Rereading can be used for various purposes. For me, the majority that I reread is to gather a better understanding of the text usually because of a misreading the first time through. Rarely do I go back into a book, article, or essay to reread large chunks of the text and the times that I do retrieve a text to reread, is to out of curiosity or to search under the depths so I may have a discussion on that topic or work. Likewise, when going back to push myself deeper into a book with a different perspective as from the previous, it is more than likely a mandatory for school. However, there have been moments when I wished I had, at that moment, a text which I had already previously read. One specific example is the essay What Christians Believe by C.S. Lewis. Ever since I read it the first time through, I have been intrigued Lewis’ argument and justifications and have wanted to reread her ideas. Of course, the one of the few texts I wished to keep I had lost until just recently this summer when I stumbled upon in while cleaning my room. I haven’t reread it yet primarily because I keep forgetting I found it but also because I haven’t been in the right frame of mind and mood to sit down, read a thoughtful discussion on beliefs, then to question my own and explore philosophies, creating my own positions on such serious topics and thinking how others come to their beliefs. Now that I’m starting to think about it, it’s difficult to halt my brain and focus back on my work before me.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading How To Read Literature Like A Professor, I would say that re-reading was not only for those who did not understand the text; after reading I would say the same, but on a different level. Prior to reading Foster, my response would have indicated that re-reading is for those who either missed a story element somewhere or simply enjoyed the work. After Foster I have to say that re-reading is a good idea for nearly everyone, because in a first reading we often miss details that could lead us to another work and that could give us a deeper understanding of the author's intentions.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to say that I am not by habit a re-reader, the reason being that until very recently I have only read for my own entertainment or for school. As a result, until this summer I had only read things for a shallow understanding of the text (in truth, for the story itself), and I could gain this shallow understanding on one reading. I have very seldom re-read anything, and the handful of texts I have re-read were solely because I had enjoyed the story and simply wished to re-visit them.
However, I now come to understand that there is a reason to read aside from the story itself. In How To Read Literature Like A Professor, Foster was able to convince me that English teachers aren't simply making things up as they go. Because of my new understanding, I plan to re-visit the stories I have previously read and start searching for parallels and allusions. In short, I plan to become a re-reader (to some degree).
Mr. Michael Bird
DeleteI loved your post. I thought it covered everything in depth and was enjoyable to read. I share many of the same views as you pertaining to this topic. Re-reading to me just meant going back and reading something you missed or for enjoyment, until I read How To Read Literature Like A Professor. While I cannot say I have adapted to re-reading, I do have a better understanding of it.
Whether or not I will take the time to re-read something depends entirely on the situation. There are many common reasons one may re-read a piece of literature. For instance, some find themselves re-reading due to the fact that they did not understand the passage. Others re-read because they feel as if they did not find the deeper meaning of the text during the first time they read it. People also re-read just for the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever find myself re-reading a passage, it is due to one of three reasons. One, I have put the book down and am trying to remember what had previously happened in the story. Two, I have either been looking at the text without actually reading it or I have jumbled the text in my mind while reading it in such a manner that it is necessary to re-read it. Three, I simply enjoyed the story so much that I feel like reading it again for entertainment purposes.
In all honesty, I should take to the habit of re-reading more often. I tend to have the problem of not being able to notice double meanings in text while reading it the first time, even when the second meaning is an obvious one. I usually am able to catch this sort of thing the second time around, which is why re-reading proves to be a useful tool for me. I will begin to utilize it more often through this year as well as my college ones.
Emily,
DeleteI agree completely with what you said about rereading being situational and also your reasons for rereading. Unfortunately, I find that I rarely reread a story for entertainment purposes or just for fun. I find that the story becomes too repetitive which drives me up the wall. On another note, you are not alone in needing to take up the habit of rereading more often. Hopefully, we both will be able to "utilize it more often through this year as well as my college ones." I wish you the best of luck with this and hope you succeed as well.
For me, rereading depends on the book and/or situation. Typically, when I reread it is because of a lack of fulfillment from reading the novel or lack of understanding part of the text. Unfortunately, if I do not see a reason to reread then I will usually skim the book and sometimes not reread the novel at all.Sadly, I do not reread very often. I know I should reread more and plan to do so starting this school year.
ReplyDeleteRereading is a useful tool and allows the reader to slow down so they can better comprehend/understand a passage. Rereading is not only for those who did not understand a text on the first read, but also for those who crave a deeper understanding of what was written in between the lines. For example, I was rereading part of "War and Peace" when I fully comprehended what was meant by "slaying the hydra of revolution." Rereading will allow for better debates/discussions about literary works because of a deeper comprehension of the text. In a way, rereading brings more to the table, so to speak.
Typically, I only re-read in order to comprehend a certain text in the passage. Of course there have been instances where I re-read for enjoyment because I just was not satisfied with my first read through. My main thought is, thought, still remains "If I just read the text, comprehend it, and remember it, why would I need to re-read it?" I'm probably going to get shot with a bullet of love and literacy for saying this, but I feel like it is a waste of time. To the people that do re-read, take no offense and continue re-reading if it greatness your experience.
ReplyDeleteAnother point to mention for me, is re-reading is purely situational. Like I stated earlier, there are times when I re-read for enjoyment, but I use re-reading most often as a tool for comprehension of text. In all honesty, I hope this class will show me the beauty in text so I can feel the desire to re-read something that is truly beautiful that I missed. It is a habit I hope to acquire through this course.