This blog serves as a running commentary on The Big Read program in Redlands CA. We have chosen to focus on Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and invite you to join us in attending a series of programs over the course of six weeks. We hope that everyone will feel welcome to comment on the novel itself, books, literacy and other relevant topics through this blog.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
What Book Would You Memorise?
All books are being destroyed. You have the option to memorise one book? What would it be?
The book I cannot live without is Steinbeck’s East of Eden. For me, the theme of good vs. evil is not simple, especially when woven with the concept of timshel (another really complex idea having to do with humans’ ability to create their own moral destiny, hope and redemption). Then there are Steinbeck’s ideas of the power of the human intellect, not to mention the page turning drama of a fictional family and community in Salinas, CA that I somehow feel deeply connected to on multiple levels. Here’s one of my favorite quotes that I probably should memorize. The narrator is talking about the importance of the individual’s creative mind vs. a controlled group think: "And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected" (p. 132)
I WOULD HAVE TO SAY A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MEMORIZE THE WHOLE BIBLE, BUT I WOULD MEMORIZE A CHAPTER. I REMEMBER SEEING FAHRENHEIT 451 ON THE BOOB TUBE AND THEN READING THE BOOK--ALWAYS READ THE BOOK FIRST!!
The book I cannot live without is Steinbeck’s East of Eden. For me, the theme of good vs. evil is not simple, especially when woven with the concept of timshel (another really complex idea having to do with humans’ ability to create their own moral destiny, hope and redemption). Then there are Steinbeck’s ideas of the power of the human intellect, not to mention the page turning drama of a fictional family and community in Salinas, CA that I somehow feel deeply connected to on multiple levels. Here’s one of my favorite quotes that I probably should memorize. The narrator is talking about the importance of the individual’s creative mind vs. a controlled group think: "And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected" (p. 132)
ReplyDeleteI WOULD HAVE TO SAY A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MEMORIZE THE WHOLE BIBLE, BUT I WOULD MEMORIZE A CHAPTER. I REMEMBER SEEING FAHRENHEIT 451 ON THE BOOB TUBE AND THEN READING THE BOOK--ALWAYS READ THE BOOK FIRST!!
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be The House of the Seven Gables by Hawthorne. Such melody is seldom seen outside of music. Should not be lost.
ReplyDeleterbrt