John Green

[beth_shulman]

The fundamental thing that all critical reading does is reveal to us that there are not easy definitions that distinguish Us from Them. Reading with an eye toward metaphor allows us to become the person we're reading about while reading about them. That's why there are symbols in books and why your English teacher deserves your attention. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if the author intended a symbol to be there because the job of reading is not to understand the author's intent. The job of reading is to use stories as a way into seeing other people as we see ourselves.



Life is like pizza, Jade, life is like pizza :)

Previously from John Green: "There is no Them. There are only facets of Us." I have discovered that I need an LJ feed of John Green's YouTube channel (anyone have one? Off I go to search).

Also: I am vindicated!

Comments

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

I definitely don't always agree with everything I post, but if I like it, or if I think it's thought-provoking even if I disagree, I tend to post it anyway. An opposing point of view makes you realize why you think what you think, you know?

I think in his video, though, he was referring specifically to fiction. There was an interesting blog post from Fuse #8, a children's librarian, a while back, on whether knowing an author has background in the field they're writing in will make a difference in your reading of the book. I think, to me, it doesn't matter if someone's an expert; it matters how they write about it. That's how I interpret author intent, at least.

I completely agree with you about making blanket statements on the purpose of reading, because you're absolutely right - there's never one reason even for one person. I read Shakespeare for a very different reason than I read Neil Gaiman or Markus Zusak - but I love them both.

You're welcome - thanks for commenting :)