Response to Good Readers and Good Writers

     Vladimir Nabokov sought for readers to achieve a deeper understanding of the complex mechanics that writers present through novels. He descriptively compares authors to master artist, how a book is like a canvas, a work of art. Nabokov informs readers that to be a good reader they must have “imagination, memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense.”(Good Readers and Good Writers Par. 1 pg. 615) For readers to gaze at art through a novel, one must re-read it over. Nabokov explains that when once gazes into a painting, the eyes are stationary. When one reads a novel, the eyes are moving left to right tiresomely, preventing the reader from fully grasping the world in which the author has made. Only when the book is re-read multiple times can one behave towards it as one behaves towards a painting.  Readers also must maintain aloofness, and try to view the authors world without bias from their own, staying slightly detached. He states “In order to bask in that magic a wise reader reads the book of genius not with his heart, not so much with his brain, but with his spine.” (Good Readers and Good Writers Par. 2 pg 617)

     I agree with Nabokov, a good reader has to treat a novel like they would a piece of art. As readers we must perceive the world of the author without comparing it to our own when we are first acquainting ourselves with the new surroundings as this can taint our perception of the world that was created for us. Before, I had thought to be a good reader, one simply had to apply themselves to the novel. Take the big details and pass over the small. I was wrong with this philosophy. I believe  Nabokov when he says a good reader needs imagination, memory, a dictionary and artistic sense. I love to read, but realized after reviewing Vladimir Nabokov’s “Good Readers and Good Writers” that I am a bad reader. When I read, I try to find common ground, somewhere where I can relate to the author. I also love books that impose nostalgia upon me, so that I can reflect on myself within the book. After reading Nabokov’s piece, I am intent on changing the way I read so I can submerse myself into new worlds, unbiased and with a slight sense of disconnect from my own reality. I am grateful to have been enlightened by Nabokov, if I had not I may have never fully understood what it means to be a good reader. 
 
     As I said in my introduction video, my favorite culture is Japan. I practice various martial arts and always try to aspire to have the mental and physical discipline of the mighty Samurai's I have grown up admiring. In Japan, the fiercest of all warriors were the Samurais. Its surprising that they took education very seriously, especially literature. They valued literature as much as they valued martial arts, because if they were good fighters but were ignorant they could not govern if the chance presented itself. Interesting, even the mighty Samurai knew the importance of being a good reader and writer. I apologize that I am going to submit a wiki link as for the moment I can't find any links with a brief explanation of the Samurai and their value on education and literature comprehension. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai

-David Hubbard

Works Cited

Trade Show Samurai. np., n.d.Web. 21 Jan. 2012 < http://www.tradeshowsamurai.com/

Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Norton Reader: An Anthology of Nonfiction.

11th Edition (nd): 613-17. Print.