Hi everbody
I 'm a fresh member here .I am not a native speaker of English.I am a girl ,who graduated recently from English language depatment.I mad about reading English litreature esp. novels and plays. I want to ask you a favor guys Could somebody tell me what is the best way to read litreature critically or at least in a very proper way,please ?
Thanks in Advance
[It is really a wondrful site,I hve been looking for such one for a long time
Yours ,
Rana
What is your native language? I would imaging that it will be most helpful to you to have editions with footnotes to explain things to you in your native language. If it is Farsi, for example, you will probably be more challenged than if it is German, French, Italian or Spanish, since native speakers of those languages probably have a wider choice of material on English available.
You know, Hemingway is a good choice because of the simple, straightforward language and vocabulare. e.e. cummings and Wallace Stevens are not such good choices for the beginner.
hi sitarma,
Thanks for your help .My native languge is Arabic.Actually I have just started reading "for whom The Bells Toll" by him.
Doyou think reading notes ,for example spark notes, of course beside reading the original is important or not ,and thanks again.
Yours,
Rana
I think Sparknotes and other supplements can be very helpful to understand literature on a deeper level. Of course, it certainly shouldn't be used as a replacement, but as a supplement to help understand themes, symbols, etc., I see nothing wrong with it, and quite often very helpful in understanding and enjoying great literature.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranoo
I also find reading essays and critcal anaylses very helpful too.
hi zooey,
Thank u a lot.You are right about critical essays .I know one of the useful web site regarding this ,which is www.123helpme.com
I'm afraid I'm not much help as far as literature resources on the internet goes- I'm very lucky to have at my disposal a large library that usually has enough books and articles to satisfy anything I'm curious about.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranoo
Taking a quick glance through 123helpme, it seems that the site is very hit-and-miss, as some of the essays appear quite good, others barely acceptable. But it certainly seems a decent resource. Perhaps others could help out with other sites that could be of use to you.
Well, I wouldn't say there's one 'correct' or 'proper' way of reading anything, really. Of course giving the book you're reading your full attention (as opposed to thinking about random stuff while occatonally turning a page) would be a good place to start, but I believe you already know that. ;) Besides online resources (of which I think SparkNotes and occationally MSN Encarta are the best ones I've come across) I could recommend the book How to Read and Why by Harold Bloom, a quite famous contemporary literary critic. I have it and liked it. Although, having said that, I must emphasize the fact that I don't think anyone can tell you how to read. Everyone has their own method that works best for them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranoo
If your reading is for pleasure you may want to read just for the pleasure of the story, digest it for yourself, and only later after having done this, re-approach the book with a more critical eye. In my humble opinion, this approach allows one to enjoy the literature for what it is, namely, a tale to be enjoyed. Later, there are almost unlimited resources in libraries, bookstores and on the internet for a more 'in-depth' critical explication of the work.How you approach your own investigation of the tale can/will be your own choice.
Welcome to the sight!!!
Hello friends,
I don't know how to thank you for those precious advices.
Zooey ,
I agree with you that you are lucky coz you have books as literary resources. Unfortunately ,it is difficult to find such books in my country ,if you were lucky only on the shelves of the University's library. For this, I prefer web sites.
Thanks dear
Ia Zabu ,
Thanks a million for recommending the book .I'll try to find it .
Badda,
Thanks a lot for your lovely welcome .In fact , when ,I used to read novels for pleasure, but after studying English literature I started to enjoy critical reading for literary works.
Take care
Yours,
Rana
The light, do you see the light?
Welcome.
Sometimes you can find books with the english original text on one side, and a translation on the other. Perhaps your local library might have some , if you ask there? Reading books like that greatly helped me to analyze texts. I think it improved my english, since it helped me to notice how I often perceived the english text in a different way than the translated text. Sometimes I completly missed nuances and undertones in the english material, that was evident for me in my own language. This way I learned to appreciate them.
hi again,
Simon ,
Thanks for your lighting welcome :D
Isagel,
you are a life saver,Thanks dear for giving me a hand.Sure ,I'll follow your advice..
You could go to the British Council and you'll find loads of books there, i'm sure you've got one in your country. It's worth trying!
Okay Hope , ;) Thanks a lot .for this.
Wow, if i didnt know who wrote "for whome the bells toll" I would have had a hard time, because you said it was written by "him." And God is a good author but he's no Hemingway.