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Sup Nerissa, I remembered you posted you bought a lot of books recently so I think its really cool you're getting into it. I was also thinking of how I would introduce reading analysis to my children so they actually enjoy it, and I want to share that with you and everyone else who wants to get into books with a higher level of understanding. Its the difference between simply drinking wine for nourishment, and understanding why a bottle of wine is better than another, its taste, the aroma, the subtle notes, the legs, the aftertaste etc.
>education system
Prior to the 19th century all western education system was done through the church instructed trivium and quadrivium. Basically it challenges your mind and teaches you "how to think" as opposed to "what to think". Nowadays we have the prussian education system which was created to make obediant commies who follow orders and dont question them (thats the legit reason), naturally it teaches you "what to think". It basically lobotomizes you and doesnt allow your mind to flourish.
>4 books
I might talk more on the trivium and quadrivium later but as it pertains to novels. I selected 4 novels that will help anyone (including your nieces and nephews) understand what a good novel is. I recommend in 4th grade to teach them this, their minds will be ready.
>the great gatsby / prose
We all read this in middle school but english teachers dont know anything. They actively turn everyone off from reading. We have to build a foundation so for this first novel we are just learning about prose which is the natural flow of speech. Its the beauty of language, the words we choose, how to assemble them together, our "voice" if you will. Some authors have an awful prose (like brandon sanderson) and yet others have written their words with such beauty they sing to you (James Joyce). You're a singer, its the equivalent of different singers' rendition of the same song. Some voices are better than others and then there are some that are just beautiful that cannot be replicated. That is prose. Prose is a writer's soul. Prose more than anything else in a novel exposes you to the writer's very soul, you can read them like a book. It is their physiognomy on the written page. A writer exposes who he is to the world. (You all read my posts, you've all read my soul as well) So I picked this novel because it is beautifully written. The prose is amazing yet easy enough to read (Joyce is very difficult to read you're not ready yet). When you read great gatsby, dont worry about the plot, dont worry about analyzing anything, simply indulge in the prose. Take a deep breath, pause, relax, exhale slowly, and allow yourself to be taken by the sentences. You are just familiarizing yourself prose.
>the hobbit / story structure
Now we are going into analysis. The heros journey. In short the hero begins in the comfort of his home before he is called to adventure, then must leave home to achieve his goal. Along the way he will face many obstacles and must learn new skills and make difficult decisions to overcome them. In the end the hero will apply his newfound skills in order to achieve his goal. Having become a changed man he will return home and we now see how different he is compared to the beginning. Its a reflection of what we go through irl. Although I dislike the hobbit greatly, it is a fantastic novel to analyze because the story is simple enough to read and it easily showcases the heros journey. Follow along with Bilbo, and dont worry about the dwarves or gandalf. Alternatively you can read hamlet, or the entire lord of the rings trilogy. They work well here as well.
>the odyssey / both
Start with the Greeks they say, its true. Having learned both new skills of prose and story structure, youre ready to apply them here. Stay away from the emily wilson translation you will learn nothing. As for which translation to read, you have no idea how hotly debated this is: Lattimore, Fagles, Pope, or Fitzgerald are the general consensus with fans of each translation calling the other translations "shit" (their actual words) In my opinion whichever cover you like best of lattimore, fagles, or fitz just get that one. I read lattimore when I read it. But its always best to read in the original language so learn greek to get the full experience.
>baltimore catechism
We end with an introduction to non fiction. For a period of time I thought non fiction to be greatly superior to fiction, however as a man i've come to realize I was wrong, and I held a brainlet take, I now realize fiction is infinitely better across all metrics to non fiction. But it still has its place because of its direct instruction. For adults I would additionally maybe rec the summa since its the best philosophy book and theres no real need to read any other philosophers. It might be overwhelming so dont worry about it if you dont want to read it
>great job
Anyway great job Nerissa. Brunch is rad.
