Re: In search of User Perspectives on Catcher in the Rye
Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Thu, 03 Dec 1998 22:49:29 +1100
I think Helena was referring to the post in which you proclaimed that you
only read capital L Literature, not any one specific book. And like Helena,
I don't think anyone should be ashamed of using notes, provided they are
used in the right way - that is, obviously they are *never* a substitute
for the real thing. I know my knowledge of Shakespeare would be radically
smaller if I hadn't used the Arden editions, which explain every little
Elizabethan oddity, sometimes just interesting, often invaluable in
understanding the meaning behind a scene. There's no point in denying
yourself this advantage.
As for Cliff Notes, their summaries I find handy for revision but the
analysis is usually pretty godawful and facile.
Camille
verona_beach@geocities.com
@ THE ARTS HOLE www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/6442
@ THE INVERTED FOREST www.angelfire.com/pa/invertedforest
Liz Friedman wrote:
> First of all I do not only read great literature, although some of the
> current novels I read might be someday.It is all a matter of taste
> helena. I have never used Cliff notes because I really do not like
> them. My current English teacher shares my opinion.While reading
> Julias Ceaser I almost used them but I stopped myself and I was proud
> of myself afterwards for getting through the book eithout using cliff
> notes. I have heard too many people say that they did not read the
> books assigned in class, but read the Cliff notes instead. This to me
> is sad because they are really ruining the experience for themselves.
> Maybe some people really do get a lot of use out of them and that is
> great, but personally I would never use them. There is nothing self
> rightous about it, it's just how I personally feel.