When reading a great piece of literature, it’s hard not to resort to the CliffsNotes version of the story. Often, these classics use florid, archaic language that isn’t used anymore and is understood by few.
We’ve all been warned and lectured against using these abbreviated, yet in-depth booklets instead of reading the books, but just using them as a supplement while reading a book can be equally detrimental.
A recent version of the classic, socially contentious “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” has been reissued with criticisms in red cursive in the margins and is characteristic of these kinds of books.
An example of the kinds of pretentious, useless comments that crop up on the sides of the regular text is, “Without good looks or interesting verbiage to keep us interested, I am close to turning the page. Perhaps [Harriet Beecher] Stowe has learned too well from Jane Austen, whose long monologues of Miss Bates (in ‘Emma’) bore us silly,” a quotation acquired by The New Yorker in an article titled “Down the River: The Annotated ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.'”
This remark is not only a bit petty for the bestselling (and possibly most important) novel of the 19th century, but is also completely devoid of insight that helps readers get a better understanding of the book.
Many would argue that the diction of the authors from decades ago (sometimes even centuries) is simply beyond the comprehension of most people today and that these appended works of literature aid students. But when reading these classics most professors are much more understanding, less demanding in deadlines and more willing to explain things in class discussions. Take advantage of their limited compassion and pace yourself when reading classic novels. Keep a dictionary handy.
Talking with a professor or classmates is infinitely more helpful than consulting a book that gives students a superficial understanding of a rich piece of literature or worse, wasting money on the fancy edition with criticism from some haughty writer.
According to the article in The New Yorker, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was one among a series of books that had this kind of modification. Among the other books that have the obnoxious red analysis in the margins are “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “A Christmas Carol” and books from the Sherlock Holmes series.
If the language is confusing, consult a dictionary, classmate or professor. If you need a refresher about what the book was about, when you’re done reading it write a brief synopsis on the back cover. Shun CliffsNotes, Pink Monkey and books with snazzy addendums. Take your time when reading.
These authors have gained their notoriety for a reason. Many of them even made up their own words to express things not yet part of the English language. Their contributions to our language is extraordinary.
The more classic literature a student reads, the better she or he can navigate the complex yet interesting language of these kinds of novels.
