Elmer Said:

How to improve on Reading Comprehension?

We Answered:

Use your imagination to create a sort of movie in your mind of what you're reading.

Joanne Said:

Any suggestion for a guided reading on deep literature, for improving reading comprehension and enjoyment?

We Answered:

Kid (your s/n, not the pejorative), I'm saying this because I want to help you. You need to slow down. I can tell from your writing style that you're making ideas that are technically simple much too complicated.

One thing you point out that's worth talking about is the myth that reading is just reading. There's bad reading, and there's good reading (i.e, passive reading and active reading). With many texts, you need to use active reading to get a fuller understanding. Anticipating information, checking your understanding and asking questions while reading, reflection-- all are some basic methods you can use to better understand a novel. All that a literatue class really does is coach you at doing these things while you read for class.

As for Ulysses... as I've suggested, I would not read this yet. In short, it's an experimental, extremely eclectic novel that draws a lot from Joyce's Greek/Latin literary education. Experience with stream of consciousness does help (although... what from Faulkner or Hemingway is written in stream of consciousness??), but probably there is much less to appreciate until you're versed in the Greeks and Romans. What you're *specifically* asking for is readily available, though. There are probably more annotated editions of Ulysses than regular editions (any decent library will have some).

Bonnie Said:

How can I enhance my reading comprehension?

We Answered:

Maybe read the book thru first for the plot, and then re-read and this time pay attention to setting, etc.

You know, I took a class on Charles Dickens and the assignment was to pick 2 pages randomly in any of his novels, and write a paper on the humor.

i was shocked when I really paid attentioin. I'm one of these readers that rushes right thru and I get the gist, but I never really paid close close attention like this. I was actually able to analyze those pages and find real comedy in the situation Dickens was describing.

So re-read closely the second time around and see if that helps.

And you know, life experience helps in comprehending the characters' actions. You will get more out of those high school required reading books when you are older.