Power of Literature

Although all five writers make separate points about reading and writing in their pieces, they, for the most part, convey a common theme across the board. The writers all point out in some way that a reader makes the book and can interpret however they want to. Vladamir Nabakov points out that, “one cannot read a book: one can only reread it” (1) and thoughtfully establishes the idea that reading a book the first time around is merely a physical task. Once you reread a book for a second or third time, the reader can finally begin to appreciate and process the work much like a painting. Mary Shelley touches upon how she regards her pieces. She seems to speak very highly of her work and appreciates what the writing does for her. Shelley says “this is for myself” (1) and her readers have nothing to do with the associations she made to her writing. The next three authors all make vaguely the same points about reading. Georges Poulet states that books are extraordinary because the reader can fully immerse themselves into it and break all the barriers between the two. He establishes the idea of becoming one with the book and realizing he is “aware of a rational being, of a consciousness”. The book is no longer just simply words on a page anymore. Poulet describes reading as a way to release yourself to the book and replace your perception of reality with the words of the book. Other key points that author Maurice Blanchot points out about reading is that the book is what the reader makes of it. The author writes with the intention of allowing the reader to utilize their own mind to make the work whatever he or she seems fit. With that being said however, Jean-Paul Sartre points out that the author writes with particular ideas in mind, and they are always purposeful. She still holds the belief, just like the other authors, that reading is all about what the reader takes away from it. She states that “reading is induction, interpretation, extrapolation”