The aspiration when reading is to understand ‘what is…
““The aspiration when reading is to understand ‘what is there’. But ‘what is there’ is known on the basis of our existing assumptions about it; we assume the text as a whole to be a certain kind of text (a comedy, for example) and we thus expect its specific parts to cohere with this assumption. Any particular passage is always read as part of a whole, but that passage may force us to revise our assumptions about the whole. A new vision of the whole would then change how we see particular passages (‘If this is a comedy, then my idea of comedy must change.’) – and so the circle of interpretation continues.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reading involves interpreting text based on assumptions; each passage can challenge those assumptions, leading to evolving understanding.
In simple terms: Reading reshapes assumptions through interpretation.
Key Takeaway
Stay open to revising beliefs while reading.
Themes
interpretation
assumptions
reading
learning
growth
Mood
analytical
introspective
Type
Dreams:0
Humor:0
Interpretation:1
Reading Understand:0
Aspiration Reading:0
Particular Passage:0
Interpretation Continues:0
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal development
- book clubs
Key Concepts
critical theory
cognitive psychology
literary analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your assumptions affect reading?
- When did a text change your view?
A Different Perspective
May be dense.