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Language Processing and the Reading of Literature: Toward a Model of Comprehension
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1978
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March 3, 2021
I am glad I read it. I will probably go back and look at it again from time to time. But boy, was it hard going!
A classic in literary linguistics, written in 1978, it uses combines grammatical analysis with early reader response theory to try to understand why authors including Milton, Henry James, William Faulkner and Wallace are so hard to read.
Some of the being hard was not entirely Dillon’s fault. He has picked out some of the most inscrutable passages in some of the most difficult literary texts by some of the most highly prized authors. It was bound to be hard.
Some of it is also probably my fault. I have only been studying literary linguistics for three years so my understanding of some of the technical stylistic terms was a bit wobbly.
The first four chapters or so, though, are a goldmine.
If, like poet Michael Rosen, you take issue with Govian grammar in primary schools, this book may help you to understand why some educationalist have a thing about fronted adverbials as well as other stylistic techniques. You could also use it to make your writing appear erudite and exclusive.
I will use what I have learned to try and make my writing and others as accessible as possible. But I am not a fan of Govian grammar...
A classic in literary linguistics, written in 1978, it uses combines grammatical analysis with early reader response theory to try to understand why authors including Milton, Henry James, William Faulkner and Wallace are so hard to read.
Some of the being hard was not entirely Dillon’s fault. He has picked out some of the most inscrutable passages in some of the most difficult literary texts by some of the most highly prized authors. It was bound to be hard.
Some of it is also probably my fault. I have only been studying literary linguistics for three years so my understanding of some of the technical stylistic terms was a bit wobbly.
The first four chapters or so, though, are a goldmine.
If, like poet Michael Rosen, you take issue with Govian grammar in primary schools, this book may help you to understand why some educationalist have a thing about fronted adverbials as well as other stylistic techniques. You could also use it to make your writing appear erudite and exclusive.
I will use what I have learned to try and make my writing and others as accessible as possible. But I am not a fan of Govian grammar...
Displaying 1 of 1 review