Wow - I don't know what else to say (but of course I'll come up with something). As an evangelical-raised, undergrad-English-major, you'll pulled a few different strands of my background and braided them in a new way that's blowing my mind. Everything about reading the story that they want you to read - YES!
Nice post, Haley. Read closely or skim, if something doesn’t jive, ask questions. Like a used car salesman trying to unload a clunker, if someone doesn’t like questions, well that’s their problem.
Love this. So true about the powers-that-be. They want everyone zombified and monetized by social media. The more people ignorant of history and ideas and books, the better for them.
Fabulous, Haley. My favorite sentence is "If reading closely “ruins” a story for you, perhaps you were enjoying—and benefitting from—a very different story than the one that was actually written."
I could relate as well to the blinkered church lessons and their motivations.
💯“The truth was I always had an instinct for closely reading. But those who were teaching me didn’t necessarily want me to foster my curiosity. Many of them wanted me to read the story as they wanted it to be read.
And they wanted that so I would believe what they believed.”
This! I wish everyone could read this slowly! Lots of truth in what you write! Keep writing, keep “rambling” because the world needs to hear what you have to say! I look forward to more! Thank you!!!
After 70 years on this earth & reading as widely as I can possibly afford ( libraries are pretty much defunct here in the Midlands, UK, thanks to austerity measures). I have gradually realised that I had a great escape, not being able to afford Uni fees!
I realise that our present education system is just
Oh Lord, finger issues! Anyway, I realise that our current education system is pretty poor on the questioning front. We were never encouraged to question or think for ourselves, nor were we encouraged to read slowly. We are part of the Brave New World, slaves to technology & the rich & powerful😡😡😡😡
The application of business models to schools has been horrendous. No time for curiosity or jumping down rabbit holes. I remember my daughter coming home from school confused about a science "experiment" where her team didn't get the "right" result! No time given to questioning what might have happened or why things might have been different. "Science", the essence of looking closely and asking "why?", had become one more set of "facts" that needed to be memorized for a standardized test. We've much to do to counteract that indoctrination and as always have to start with ourselves.
Wow. This was a deeply moving story that made me love my late father even more than I already do. When I complained about the “chore” of close reading a story, he reminded me of my interest in reading books about tanks, ships, and fighter planes. Close reading helps you learn why a piece of writing works or doesn’t work, just the same as a piece of machinery. I didn’t agree then because it was hard work but I do agree very much now.
As you make eloquently clear, close reading is a way to get into someone else’s head. That alone makes it so enjoyable and worthwhile.
Isn’t there something in the Bible concerning the need to put children’s things away once you’ve reached adulthood?
I love this Hayley, especially the potential of closely reading to shake us up, make us strange and receive the gift of a second chance. I’m going to remind myself of the magic - which is as you say easy to miss (when we’re not paying attention) - in opening windows, especially those masquerading as mirrors.
"Perhaps especially because I find “overthinking” things to be a delightful way to spend my time." - SAME.
I LOVE this piece so much. It speaks to an experience I see happening not just with closely reading, but with anything that is "creative." This desire NOT to go deeper. To be okay with not questioning anything at all. And it's hard for me to grasp this way of engaging with the world... just letting things... be? How tho?! Anyway, this piece gave me a bit of reassurance that it's not just me experiencing or encountering those who wish to stay above the surface.
Excellent writing as always, Haley! Your passion really leaps from the page here 🌟
Wow - I don't know what else to say (but of course I'll come up with something). As an evangelical-raised, undergrad-English-major, you'll pulled a few different strands of my background and braided them in a new way that's blowing my mind. Everything about reading the story that they want you to read - YES!
Nice post, Haley. Read closely or skim, if something doesn’t jive, ask questions. Like a used car salesman trying to unload a clunker, if someone doesn’t like questions, well that’s their problem.
This was absolutely brilliant, really put into words emotions I’ve felt but couldn’t articulate with beautiful writing!
Love this. So true about the powers-that-be. They want everyone zombified and monetized by social media. The more people ignorant of history and ideas and books, the better for them.
Favourite sentence:
"Close reading is precisely the kind of freedom that the caged love to rage against."
Thank you.
I second this! 💥
Fabulous, Haley. My favorite sentence is "If reading closely “ruins” a story for you, perhaps you were enjoying—and benefitting from—a very different story than the one that was actually written."
I could relate as well to the blinkered church lessons and their motivations.
💯“The truth was I always had an instinct for closely reading. But those who were teaching me didn’t necessarily want me to foster my curiosity. Many of them wanted me to read the story as they wanted it to be read.
And they wanted that so I would believe what they believed.”
This! I wish everyone could read this slowly! Lots of truth in what you write! Keep writing, keep “rambling” because the world needs to hear what you have to say! I look forward to more! Thank you!!!
After 70 years on this earth & reading as widely as I can possibly afford ( libraries are pretty much defunct here in the Midlands, UK, thanks to austerity measures). I have gradually realised that I had a great escape, not being able to afford Uni fees!
I realise that our present education system is just
Oh Lord, finger issues! Anyway, I realise that our current education system is pretty poor on the questioning front. We were never encouraged to question or think for ourselves, nor were we encouraged to read slowly. We are part of the Brave New World, slaves to technology & the rich & powerful😡😡😡😡
The application of business models to schools has been horrendous. No time for curiosity or jumping down rabbit holes. I remember my daughter coming home from school confused about a science "experiment" where her team didn't get the "right" result! No time given to questioning what might have happened or why things might have been different. "Science", the essence of looking closely and asking "why?", had become one more set of "facts" that needed to be memorized for a standardized test. We've much to do to counteract that indoctrination and as always have to start with ourselves.
Wow. This was a deeply moving story that made me love my late father even more than I already do. When I complained about the “chore” of close reading a story, he reminded me of my interest in reading books about tanks, ships, and fighter planes. Close reading helps you learn why a piece of writing works or doesn’t work, just the same as a piece of machinery. I didn’t agree then because it was hard work but I do agree very much now.
As you make eloquently clear, close reading is a way to get into someone else’s head. That alone makes it so enjoyable and worthwhile.
Isn’t there something in the Bible concerning the need to put children’s things away once you’ve reached adulthood?
Loved this! Thank you for writing it.
I love this Hayley, especially the potential of closely reading to shake us up, make us strange and receive the gift of a second chance. I’m going to remind myself of the magic - which is as you say easy to miss (when we’re not paying attention) - in opening windows, especially those masquerading as mirrors.
"Perhaps especially because I find “overthinking” things to be a delightful way to spend my time." - SAME.
I LOVE this piece so much. It speaks to an experience I see happening not just with closely reading, but with anything that is "creative." This desire NOT to go deeper. To be okay with not questioning anything at all. And it's hard for me to grasp this way of engaging with the world... just letting things... be? How tho?! Anyway, this piece gave me a bit of reassurance that it's not just me experiencing or encountering those who wish to stay above the surface.
Where was this when school taught close reading actively put me off all literature? Where was this frank call out then? I really, really enjoyed this.