Throughout
the article titled Virginia Woolf on How
to Read a Book the audience gains much wisdom from both the advice and
insight given by Virginia Woolf. Upon analyzing the article, it is evident that
Woolf explores the idea that when perusing through a book, the reader must use
his/her mind as the sole tool to read a book. In addition, she emphasizes in
her writing the importance of “coming to your own conclusion” when reading a
book, by using your own instincts and lessons to guide a reader through the
writing in a novel or book. It is vital to keep an open mind, she states, as
one must not be hindered by new ideas and thoughts that the author provides.
Aside from a holistic view on reading a novel, Woolf also highlights the
importance of not “dictating your author.” Instead, she explains “try to become
him.” As one who is currently reading her novel I take this advice giving
seriously because it is difficult to understand the intricate detail of someone
else’s writing without having my own judgment cloud Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse. Moreover, the criticism
that would hang over this book would “prevent [me] from getting the fullest
possible value from what [I] read,” as Virginia Woolf elaborates upon the idea
that we must keep clear minds when reading a book or novel. Another take away
that I thought was particularly valuable to myself as a reader is that the
author of the articles explains the idea that reading provides both an “intellectual
and creative reward in itself.” As a reader, I personally can see the multitude
of ways in which a book or novel has sparked some sort of creative in myself,
whether that be subtle ideas embedded within the text or crucial plot points.
In
addition to the article How to Read a
Book, I found the article A Wave in
the Mind: Virginia Woolf on Writing and Consciousness to be very
interesting. Crowned with the title “one of humanity’s most beautiful minds and
greatest masters of elegant, pleasurable language” Virginia Woolf was one of
the first authors to grasp the idea that “style is the physiognomy of the mind.”
In one of her letters she places emphasis on the importance of style and
rhythm. However, what intrigued me as a reader, is that this rhythm is not
sparked by structure or inadequate words, but rather by “a sight, [or] an
emotion.” In essence, Woolf is entailing that rhythm is based upon the writer’s
ability to feel, see, touch, taste… or in other worlds by one’s senses. I found
this particularly interesting because Woolf goes deeper than just structure,
she focuses on how one can feel and understand the rhythm of a book or novel without words even needed.
