Monday was not an ordinary Intro to Literature class because we got to meet our group members in the cafe. Having a snack and a drink also helped create a more relaxed and casual environment which opened the door to easier discussion. Also, a simple change in environment is helpful. It provided an easier atmosphere because you did not feel as if you were just discussing literature for scholarly purposes, but instead you could imagine yourself just meeting your friend for coffee to discuss a book you had recently read. What if friends began to plan dinners to discuss literature instead of the latest gossip, movies, or television shows?
Is reading the book much more meaningful than watching the movie? Does it effect a person more in a deeper level if they read it? I have found that people most often say, “Oh, the book is so much better than the movie.” or, “The movie does not do the book justice.” From my experience, reading the book is a completely different experience than watching the movie. Ironically, the specific language and words they use to describe each action, emotions, or thoughts captures you feel more apart of what is going on. You would assume that a movie would make it easier for you to envision the character and their experiences, but that is the gift of a writer. Writers utilize their language to capture a minute of time into pages.
I most often relate reading a book to school work, but hearing and discussing what people have read in their free time opened my mind more. It inspired me to ask my friends about what books they enjoy to read in their free time to get an idea of what I might be interested in.
I totally agree with you on the whole movie thing. Even though I watch way more movies then I read books, I always like the book better. You described it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well, Lauren. Just about every book I've read has always been better than the movie by far. I have a huge movie collection and I love to spend time with my friends and bonding over the love of different characters, but I love the escape reading provides.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Movies are great, but there is something about reading that attaches you to the story like nothing else. I fear the day when we no longer have the pleasure of dusting off an old book to thumb through the pages. Hopefully all this technology won't damage the joy of reading.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have a point that movies can move us much more than a book sometimes. However, movies direct your thoughts and emotions with music, camera shots, intensity, etc. You really have little choice how you feel about the characters (good guy vs. bad guy) or how you view scenarios. With a book, on the other hand, you can relate to the characters and situations in your own way.
ReplyDeleteThe writer still does what a director in a movie would do- set the scene, tone, plot. But there is more freedom to take the pages of a book and turn them into oscar-winning mental motion pictures. Nothing beats the way I imagined Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice... let me just say that!
Awesome post! I agree -the class on monday was a lot of fun. It really helped us to talk about literature in such a relaxed setting.
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