On Close Readings

In Peter Rabinowitz's "On Close Readings", he depicts different types of reading and the effects they have on readers. I agree with what he is saying, because he talks about how reading one type of literature won't help your mind grow intellectually and that is true. The piece really speaks to people that should be open minded and start to read other types of literature. It also explains the conflicts readers will have if they don't do that.

On Minimalist Fiction

In John Barth's "On Minimalist Fiction", Barth discusses minimalist fiction and what it is. The piece could easily be found difficult to read. I couldn't really understand what he was saying at first because of all the extra words in parenthesis. Then it hit me and I realized the irony of the piece. It was saying that minimalist fiction was short and to the point, but in the piece it has a lot of extra things in there that was unnecessary. It was strange to see that in a piece where the author is saying minimalist fictions preaches less is more. I understand, however, where Bath is going with this because I do get tired of books putting to much into a story and it starts to take out the significance of a piece.

On the Dangers of Reading Fiction

In "On the Dangers of Reading Fiction" by Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson depicts his deep disgust for fiction. He says statements such as, "When this poison infects your mind, it destroys the tone and revolts it against wholesome reading." He also discussed fiction to be lost time and poor judgment in reading. He also, however, says that reading fiction helps develop a sound morality. He obviously was someone who liked reading more serious pieces instead of fake stories. I respect his opinion on what he's saying, but I have to disagree. I believe fiction helps us with imagination and helps us paint pictures in our heads of what's going on in the literature.

On the Differences between Poetry and Prose

In T.E. Hulme's "On the Differences between Poetry and Prose", he delineates the difference between poetry and prose in an interesting way. He first compares Prose to Algebra and I thought it was riveting how he used that to make his point. He talks about how Algebra/Prose conveys concrete things without any imagery or visualization in the process; basically he's saying that prose really has no flavor or imagination to it. With poetry, however, he talks about how it is more flexible and has more style. He talks about how poetry appeals more to the senses, making it deliver a physical image and decorate the poem. He made very good points with the examples he used to convey them. It really makes me appreciate poetry a little more.