Abi’s Comments (group member since Oct 24, 2013)

Abi’s comments from the Miles' AP Lang group.

I somewhat agree with this article. I think by simply picking up a piece of literature one is connecting with another because, obviously, they are consorting with the mind of the author. Too often I think it's easy for me to judge or minimize book characters: "Oh, I never would have done that!", "What are you thinking? Why would you even act like that?" And yet, more often than not, I've never been in that actual situation so I can't even begin to make conclusions. It's funny how ubiquitous this situation is in every day life. How quick we are to assume; how quick we are to judge. But we don't know the whole picture. I think reading puts empathy into good practice. It instigates compassionate thinking and, as Atticus Finch said, "walking a mile in another's shoes." While a book is indeed finite--it does give you the whole ending simply by finishing--the conclusion has a way of doing the opposite--not bringing closure. That unrest, that's where the empathy comes from. The plaguing grasp that requires a response. Reading is a beautiful thing simply because it tends to unsettle us, and thus leads us to action.