Calvino Essay- Question #6 Intro/Conclusion

Italo Calvino introduces his essay with one simple sentence:  “Let us begin by putting forward some definitions.”  He then introduces each topic with one definition, which all define the term ‘classic’.  Although Calvino does not give us much of an introduction he makes up for it with a four paragraph-long conclusion that ties together the whole essay.

In the concluding paragraphs of this essay, Calvino discusses what books we should keep in our ‘ideal library’, telling us that one half should contain books we have read and loved, and the other half should have the books we will one day hopefully read and some empty shelf space for new arrivals.  He also criticizes his essay by saying that he wishes he would have referenced more Italian works of literature because “the classics help us understand who we are and the point we have reached.”  Calvino also uses a quotation by Cioran in his conclusion, in which he says, “While the hemlock was being prepared, Socrates was learning a melody on the flute.  ‘What use will that be to you?’ he was asked.  ‘At least I will learn this melody before I die.’”  By choosing this quote, he makes a good point that although there is really no purpose in reading the classics, it is better to have read them than not. 

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print.

Calvino Essay- Question #5 Organization

Calvino’s essay, “Why Read the Classics?” is organized logically.  Each topic consists of one or two paragraphs that are devoted only to that topic; there are no irrelevant subjects throughout the essay, which is characteristic of logical organization.  Each topic also takes form as a definition that introduces each paragraph.  The essay consists of fourteen definitions, which build the reader’s interest until Calvino finally introduces the most important topic of the entire work.  This is when he finally discusses what sort of books your personal library of classics should hold.  He suggests to readers that one half of their library should contain books that have a special meaning to them, to be reread again and again, only to achieve “as much of a sense of discovery as the first reading.”  He tells us that the other half of the library should hold those books that we hope to someday read, and there should also be of course some empty shelf space specifically reserved for the purpose of adding more classics to our ‘ideal library.’  After this, Calvino reflects back on his essay and expresses some concerns about things that he has left out.  He informs us that classics really serve no purpose but “reading the classics is always better than not reading them.”  By doing this, he is giving us some last bit of information while adding to the personal tone of this essay. 

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print.

Calvino Essay- Question #4 Passages

There were many passages that captured my attention in this essay by Italo Calvino.  The first that stood out to me I found under the second definition Calvino gives to the term ‘classic.’  In this passage he writes, “There is a particular potency in the work which can be forgotten itself but which leaves its seed behind in us.”  Calvino explains to readers that although the basic elements of a classic novel may be forgotten, one never fully forgets the literary work because it is so strong that it will last forever in somewhere in the reader’s thoughts. 

In another passage that spoke to me the author writes, “A classic is a book which with each rereading offers as much sense of discovery as the first reading.”  This is one of the fourteen definitions Calvino gives to the word ‘classic.’   I especially like this one because it puts into words the feeling that one can attain from rereading one of his or her favorite books; it also effectively explains why we continue to return to the classic books which we have already read and enjoyed at least once.

Another passage I enjoyed from Calvino’s essay says, “Classics are books which, the more we think we know them through hearsay, the more original, unexpected, and innovative we find them when we actually read them.”  I have found this to be a very true statement through my own experiences with reading classic novels.  Calvino discourages anyone from reading any work which discusses another book because it could taint the reading experience with some other person’s opinion on the novel.

Italo Calvino writes many thought-provoking passages in his essay entitled “Why Read the Classics?”  These passages are what makes Calvino’s essay interesting while also being informative.

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print.

Calvino Essay- Question #3 Rhetorical Devices

Italo Calvino's essay does not rely on the use of many rhetorical devices to beautify his work.  While this can make some pieces of literature shine, Calvino relies more heavily on the content of his essay than metaphors or hyperboles to catch the interest of his readers.  

Instead he makes use of just one device that makes for a critical component to this piece.  This device is personification. Calvino makes one personification that he develops throughout the entire piece, which is the classic novel personified as an individual that can become one’s best friend if we allow it to.  Calvino explains to us throughout the essay that once we find that one work of literature that we can call ‘our classic’, it will develop a relationship with us similar to that of a close friend.  We know that we have this sort of a relationship with a book if we keep returning to it and find that it relates to our lives perfectly.  As Calvino himself states in his essay, “a classic is a book which with each rereading offers as much of a sense of discovery as the first reading.”

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print. 

Calvino Essay- Question #2 Tone

Italo Calvino writes his essay in a way that is very straightforward in an effective and informative way.  His lack of an introduction initially shows us this; the only introduction he gives is “let us begin by putting forward some definitions,” and then he commences listing off fourteen definitions and provides explanations for them.  This method keeps readers interested because it is fast-paced and doesn’t waste their time by providing a lengthy introductory paragraph.  Another way he shows this straightforwardness is through the lack of metaphors or descriptions.  This shows that Calvino is confident that the content of his essay is able to stand on its own and devices such as metaphors would simply slow down the fast pace of this piece.  

Calvino also adds a personal tone to this essay similar to that of Nabokov's by using first-person pronouns throughout the piece.  This is very effective in creating a personal relationship between the author and reader because he repeatedly refers to things like “your classic” and “our own ideal library.”  Near the end of the essay he actually criticizes himself for leaving things out in his own work.  The effect that this has on the reader is that it establishes a personal relationship with the author, which is important for understanding the purpose of this essay. 

 Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print.

Calvino Essay- Question #1 Thesis

Italo Calvino's essay, "Why Read the Classics?" contains an implicitly stated thesis.  Contradictory to what the title of the essay suggests, the author does not spend the entire time explaining to the readers why they should read the classics, but rather attempts to define exactly what a classic is.  He then lets the reader decide, based on this information he has given them about classic literature, why they should read the classics.  The whole idea of the essay, or the thesis, states that a classic should be a book that has meaning to the reader, and lasts forever in the reader's mind.  The closest Italo Calvino comes to stating this thesis is the eleventh definition he gives, in which he says, “’Your’ classic is a book to which you cannot remain indifferent, and which helps you define yourself in relation or even in opposition to it.”  By saying this he tells us that in order to call a book “your classic”, it must not only have an important lasting impression on the reader, but it should also define who you are.

All the definitions and qualities Calvino assigns to classic literature support his thesis, because they all show how special the classics are in relation to all other works of literature.  By providing us with all these definitions, Calvino shows us why we should read the classics without explicitly telling us.

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics?" Why Read the Classics? London: Vintage, 2000. 5-8. Print.

Nabokov Essay- Question #8 Reaction

My reaction to Nabokov's essay is a logical one.  Although I do agree with Nabokov on all the points made in his lecture, it is hard to feel strongly about the subject, which is simply instructions on how to effectively read literature.  I don't think that Nabokov was trying to appeal to his audience emotionally in this piece because he is just trying to inform them so they can improve their reading skills.  He actually discourages readers from any emotional identification in literature and says himself, "we ought to remain a little aloof" when reading anything.

Although overall this is not an emotional essay, it provoked in me a sense of appreciation for the truth and beauty of the writing.  Nabokov includes some beautiful descriptions and metaphors in his lecture that surprised me because I didn't expect an essay to be so detailed.  For example, he described an author's work as a "castle of cards" that eventually turn into "a castle of beautiful steel and glass."  The content of the essay was also surprising to me.  Nabokov says in his essay that we should have a specific method of looking at a work of literature if we want to fully appreciate it.  He says not to identify emotionally with the characters, which I thought was surprising because usually this is what a student is taught to do.  I also always figured that a reader should view a book with his or her own method of viewing it; I wouldn't have thought there was a specific way to look at it.  Although I was surprised at these things, I still strongly agree with Nabokov's method of reading that he expresses in this lecture.

Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lecture. 1948. Lectures on Literature. Print.