Of Reading

7/28/2019 Of Reading

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Of Reading

Indranil Sarkar

Reading is a primitive human habit.

Reading makes a Fullman. Reading infuses man-ness in man. Reading

teaches mannerism and infuses decency and dignity to ones

personality. Reading strengthens the mind and lengthens the life. It is a

means of entertainment as well as of enlightenment. Reading makes a

man upright, rationale and confident. Reading is a panacea to all

postmodern diseases.

The number of published books has increased in a geometric


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progression parallel to the progress of Civilization. With the invention

of easier scientific tools the number of books in this world has taken

the shape of an infinite and mysterious galaxy; quite impossible to

grasp and know completely. On the other hand Postmodernity has

robbed of mans most valuable possession, his cherished leisure ly time.

Man has to run instead of strolling for earning his bread and butter in

present day world. The mad-race or the rat-race of postmodern culture

has made man robotic. Time has become elusive and scarce. As such it

has become indispensable to be selective in choosing the right book. A

man must decide which book is to be read and which one is to be

discarded before beginning to read.

Francis Bacon, the wisest and brightest of personality in human history

till date, felt the problem long ago and as such suggested: Somebooks

are to be tasted; some are to be swallowed while some others are to be

chewed and digested. But he cleverly avoided what he meant by

Some. He dared not to suggest which books were to be read and

which ones were to be avoided. Truly speaking, he did not clarify the

term Somesimply because he knew not what to suggest and what to

reject. The problem is somewhat inherent in human constitution. Every

man is an individual species having his own likes and dislikes; tastes and

temperaments. In such a case, any advice is bound to foster

catastrophic consequences.


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Just as the same medicine works differently to different persons

suffering from the same disease, similarly any prescribe-reading is also

bound to bounce back in certain cases. The matter is a reminder to an

old proverb: Some mans food is some othermans poison.

So, choosing the right book is more important than to chase it. Bacons

statement also hinted the culinary quality of reading. Just as over-

eating or eating of un-eatable food causes dyspepsia, similarly over-

reading or reading of unworthy bookscauses deterioration as well as

demoralization of ones instinctive virtues. So, one should follow what

R.LStevenson said about Walking. Stevensonsaid that to derive proper

pleasure of walking it must be taken in a moderate dose and should be

undertaken alone. Any mis-match is ruinous. In case of Reading also

the same suggestion works.

The problem of choosing the right book appears something like

acquiring the skill of cycling or swimming. Any man can learn cycling or

a swimming but no one can be made a cyclist or a swimmer unless he

tries to learn it himself. Following the basic techniques any man can


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learn how to swim but it depends on his personto acquire it. Similarly,

any well-read person may suggest which books are worth-reading and

which are not, but no one can say it for granted that the suggested

book will be beneficial.Tt depends solely on the reader to use his

mental affinity while choosing the right one.

In this connection the comment of a gentleman on Internet web blog

appears relevant. He said, Internet is what you want it to be. It may

be highly beneficial if used properly and vice versa. Similarly, it can be

said that the reading of right books leads one to light and opens the

door of prosperity while reading of bad books invites a wastage of

valuable time on the one hand and a proclamation of darkness and

doom on the other.

Technically speaking Readingis a complex cognitive human activity. It

teaches one how to decode symbols and thus derive meaning. Blessed

is the man who knows the technique of reading. It is a life-long source

of pleasure, instruction and inspiration because books are the life blood

of their wise authors. So long a reader has his beloved books with him,

he doesntfeel lonely. Books are the friends at adversity; philosopher in

distress and guide at prosparity. And over and above, books never

demand anything in return. They are just like one way traffic knowing


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only to give but take nothing in return. Thus in this materialistic world

of give and take books possess an angelic quality.

Again, if there ever is a book to remind us why we read, this is Woolfs

The Common Readers. It is a reading for the sheer enjoyment of

reading, the pleasure of the act. As probably the finest (wo) man of

letters in England of her time, Virginia Woolf's take on reading is

intensely personal, not in the way of "this character/situation reminds

me of so-and-so/what happened in my life)," but in the way of "this is

how the author speaks to me, this is how I am reacting to this piece of

art." Her take on is refreshing, free from politics, ideology, or literary

theory. (Shelley in GoodReads)

The quote on Virginia Woolf above is definitely a guide to a postmodern

reader who is confused in the galaxy of books knowing not which one is

to read and which one is to discard.


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In conclusion we can remember what wolf said in her essay, How

should One Read a Book? To carry out a reader's duty needs such

imagination, insight, and learning that it is hard to conceive any one

mind sufficiently endowed; impossible for the most self-confident to

find more than the seeds of such powers in himself.

I love Books; but, why?

I love that moment when I open a book and sink into it. It helps me

escape from the real world of cheats, liars and masked-criminalsinto a

world of virtual reality and its always more interesting than that of

ones own ever be.

Secondly, like William Hazlitt and Charles Lamb I hate to read NEW

books. It is better to show moreconfidence in the dead thanthe living

because living animals can take a U-Turn at any moment.

Thirdly, like R.L.Stevensions idea of Walking Tour, I prefer reading

alone and in a small dose at a time. Reading in a library is mockery

to learning. In a Library people do all sort of things except

reading. Lengthy reading fosters monotony while over reading risks

mental dyspepsia.Fourthly, Voracity for enlightenment through entertainment is the

motto for my reading.


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Fifthly, I believe Reading for just a time-pass is crime; it consumes

workingtime and makes a man poor.

Sixthly, Reading is the oldest sign of civility. One should carry on the

tradition. Postmodern psychologists are suggesting Compulsory

Reading as corrective-punishments to hardcore criminals.

Seventhly, Reading develops self-confidence and infuses creativity.

Shakespeare created at least 1200 words because he did not have

those words in his language.

Eighthly, I believe what Sir Richard Steele said on Reading: Reading is

to the mind which exercise is to the body.

Lastly, Reading enhances longevity and keeps mental youthfulness

alive. More than Seventy percent Oxbridge Dons are octogenarian

youths. They dont suffer from the disease of morbidity noticed all

through the materialistic world.

In conclusion, we cant help remembering what wolf said in her essay,

How should One Read a Book? She said, Tocarry out a reader's duty

needs such imagination, insight, and learning that it is hard to conceive


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any one mind sufficiently endowed; impossible for the most self-

confident to find more than the seedsof such powers in himself.

**

Note: No Reference or Link because the ideas are collected from

uncountable sources-i.s.

Of Reading

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