The Good Reader
A moth devoured words. When I heard of that wonder
It struck me as a strange event
That a worm should swallow the song of some man,
A thief gorge in the darkness on a great man’s
Speech of distinction. The thievish stranger
Was not a whit the wiser for swallowing words.
This satirical bit from an Anglo-Saxon poet describes the bookworm, a creature that literally devours the pages of books without intelligence. It serves as a droll hint to human “bookworms” to gain wisdom from their reading. Are you a bookworm or a good reader?
“‘Tis the good reader that makes the good book; in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for his ear; the profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought or passions sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered by an equal mind and heart.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Society and Solitude, 1870
Hidden confidences and jewels in a mine—The good reader is alert and active, not a passive absorber of what is read. Tyron Edwards gave us excellent counsel when he wrote, “Think as well as read.... Yield not your minds to the passive impressions which others may make upon them. Hear what they have to say; but examine it, weigh it, and judge it for yourselves. This will enable you to make a right use of books—to use them as helpers, not as guides to your understanding; as counselors, not as dictators of what you are to think and believe.” Even “pleasure reading” can become a highly profitable pastime once the mind is trained to think—through characters, plots, morals, and world-views. This may require conscious labor at first, but with time it will become a habit that will help you make the most of all your reading.
Below are examples of activities that will aid you in developing this reading and learning attitude—for it is an attitude, an approach to reading with a desire to increase wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Vocabulary Study—When you encounter a word (or concept, or reference) you do not know, jot it down. (I find blank bookmarks immensely helpful for this.) When you come to a stopping point in your reading, return to your list, and look up the words in your dictionary and thesaurus. The dictionary will give you a basic, concise definition; a good thesaurus will explain the individual nuances of the word compared with similar words. Writing down the definitions may help you better assimilate what you learn.
Scripture Reference—When you come to an idea in your reading that is confirmed or refuted by the Scriptures, take the time to find the reference and write it in the margin (if it is your own book). Not only will you train your mind to notice and weigh the author’s message, but you will guard yourself from the false teachings you may encounter in books.
Commentary—An involved reader will often want to express his response to the words he is reading. Jot your thoughts in the margin (if it is your own book) or begin a reading journal. In this journal, write your thoughts in complete, clear sentences and include references for the passage that inspired you. If a passage is especially meaningful to you, either for deep thought or loveliness of expression, underline it (again, if it is your own book) or copy it down in your reading journal. Keep this journal with you as you read, to encourage frequent note-taking.
Background Check—Studying the author’s life and other writings will help you better appreciate what he has to share. “Every artist,” wrote Henry Ward Beecher, “dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.” All writing is charged with purpose: that book, that story, that poem was written because the author had a message. In your research and continued reading ask yourself these questions: Why did the author write this book? What message is he sharing? What agenda is he seeking to accomplish? Is it consistent with Scripture? What can I learn by reading this?
Group Reading—One of the most dynamic ways to reap insight from your reading is to read with others. Whether you form a literary society, talk to a friend, read aloud to your family, or blog your reading notes, discuss what you have read. Everyone will benefit from the interaction of different perspectives.
Admittedly, not every book will provide rich gleanings. ‘Tis the good reader that makes the good book, and this is due partly to his judicious selection. When you pursue a habit of thoughtful reading you may discover your literary taste expanded and refined. As the faculties of the mind are stretched by wholesome and bracing reading in a wide variety of subjects, they will demand the meat fit for them.
The great english essayist Charles Lamb suggested these “Principles for the Choice of Books.”
Never waste time on valueless books. Time is too short to read much; there is a necessity, therefore, for judicious selection.
Have respect for the books themselves.
Try to cultivate taste by noticing the best passages in any book that is being read.
The best literature can only be appreciated by those who have fitted themselves for it.
It is more important to read well than to read much.
The gain of reading some of the most beautiful literature while we are young is that we shall have beautiful thoughts and images to carry with us through life.
To get at the full significance of a book it is necessary to dig for it.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1.Considering the poem quoted above, what distinction might one make between a “bookworm” and a good reader?
2.Explain the quotation from Emerson. How much of the good book is a good reader? Discuss this quotation from Clifton Fadiman.—”When you reread a classic you do not see more in the book than was there before; you see more in yourself than was there before.”
3.“Think as well as read.” Why is it important to evaluate what we read? Against what standards do you measure the content of your reading?
4.Why might it be profitable to acquaint yourself with the history and philosophy of an author? How might the knowledge gleaned from such study help you better evaluate his writing?
5.What are the benefits of discussing our reading with others?
6.What other activities might promote a habit of thoughtful reading?
7.G. K. Chesterton wrote, “There is a great deal of difference between an eager man who wants to read a book, and a tired man who wants a book to read.” Are there clear differences in the literary tastes of a reflective reader and a careless reader?
8.A good reader wants to read a good book. In your opinion, what qualities are necessary to a good book? See Philippians 4:8 for the Biblical criterion.
Painting: Comparisons. Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.
Friday, March 16, 2012