The nineteenth-century language of the novel can seem excessively formal and elaborate to modern readers. Do you think the novel’s language interferes with the excitement of its story? Why or why not?
The novel’s language was a hard read. I found that I had to concentrate on the words or read them aloud to myself to get the meaning of the paragraphs. After watching the movie, I was better able to put some meaning behind the words. There were very big words and descriptive language being used which seemed to be too much at times. I did not usually notice the descriptive language being used in a book before because it usually added to the story line. I felt this was too much to be enjoyable. The words were very elaborate and in a period I was not adjusted to. Overall, it was a slow book to read and provided difficulties to comprehend and read. One example is when the author used foreign language and if you cannot talk or read foreign language, then it does not benefit you.
The first time I read this, I accidently picked up a "middle school" version of the book, which had been edited. I remember thinking how quickly the novel read--so unlike most books from the same era. When the librarian corrected by mistake and gave me the "right" book, I realized right away that this book was more difficult to read. HOWEVER, I enjoyed it much, much more.
This is one of the themes of this class: SO--is reading the "edited" version a good idea for those that struggle with the language or are they being cheated by not reading the book as originally written??
If an individual is struggling to read the book I think the edited version would be benificial to the struggling reader. If the reader is reading the book and not understanding what it says then what good is it to read the book. There is no comprehension and it turns into a difficult read and leads to frustration. If the student would like to read the edited version and it gives the reader enough information to form opinions of the structure, plot, characters, ect. then the reader should read the edited edition. Once comprehension is reached the reader could try the book as it was orgionally written to see if they could get a better grasp on it.
The books language was hard to read. Some words we don't use anymore, but that wasn't the problem, it was how it was structered. It was very complicated and took way more time to get to a point they were trying to get at then needed. Plus, I don't speek French, so when they got to the parts they spoke in French I was lost, however, when you hit an area were the Indian's are speeking it was all in English. Why couldn't he do that for the French part, too.
When it comes to books of this kind I find it really hard to get into reading it because it's not what i'm use to but once I got the hang of this book I couldn't put it down, it was fantasic and the language did not affect the excitment of the story. I loved how Cooper discribed the scenery and how he wrote, it was a well written story.
I found with books of this nature was hard to begin with and then I got the gist of it and could pursue reading further. I am glad you could enjoy the book but I still had difficulties.
Sometimes I wonder if we should even teach books such as these in high school. Does the language "ruin" the book for people, making them never want to pick it up again? I mean, if you completely struggle to "get" it--do you get enjoyment? I am rereading this again for the millionth time and am enjoying it even more. Does this come with maturity???
Since you have read the book numerous times I bet you had discussions and questions with the book to better understand the book. If this is the case i think an individual would understand better by reading the book more than one time. Some maturity has to do with it, but I am older and get pretty good grades and I had a difficult time.Sometimes an individual may get it the first time and some do not. In reading this for the first time I feel it is hard, but each individual is different in their perceptions and understandings. I also think it has to do a little with the time frame of the book and relating to this time period considering the language.
No matter what book it is you will always get more from it each time you read it. The maturity level might be a factor but what would ruin it is if you showed the movie rather then read the book, the movie was sadly disappointing.
I do find the way in which the story is written to be a distraction from the plot, however without it one could not envision experiencing that specific place and time. It would be odd to throw in modern day terms when describing the Indian and French war-time or strife between Indians and Whites. The language adds depth and complexity to the story, you've got to work at it to understand the true meaning. It actually makes the story more memorable and believable.
The novel’s language was a hard read. I found that I had to concentrate on the words or read them aloud to myself to get the meaning of the paragraphs. After watching the movie, I was better able to put some meaning behind the words. There were very big words and descriptive language being used which seemed to be too much at times. I did not usually notice the descriptive language being used in a book before because it usually added to the story line. I felt this was too much to be enjoyable. The words were very elaborate and in a period I was not adjusted to. Overall, it was a slow book to read and provided difficulties to comprehend and read. One example is when the author used foreign language and if you cannot talk or read foreign language, then it does not benefit you.
ReplyDeleteI agree it was hard reading, the movie didn't seem to help me with the book. If anything it really made me lost.
DeleteThe first time I read this, I accidently picked up a "middle school" version of the book, which had been edited. I remember thinking how quickly the novel read--so unlike most books from the same era. When the librarian corrected by mistake and gave me the "right" book, I realized right away that this book was more difficult to read. HOWEVER, I enjoyed it much, much more.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the themes of this class: SO--is reading the "edited" version a good idea for those that struggle with the language or are they being cheated by not reading the book as originally written??
If an individual is struggling to read the book I think the edited version would be benificial to the struggling reader. If the reader is reading the book and not understanding what it says then what good is it to read the book. There is no comprehension and it turns into a difficult read and leads to frustration. If the student would like to read the edited version and it gives the reader enough information to form opinions of the structure, plot, characters, ect. then the reader should read the edited edition. Once comprehension is reached the reader could try the book as it was orgionally written to see if they could get a better grasp on it.
DeleteThe books language was hard to read. Some words we don't use anymore, but that wasn't the problem, it was how it was structered. It was very complicated and took way more time to get to a point they were trying to get at then needed. Plus, I don't speek French, so when they got to the parts they spoke in French I was lost, however, when you hit an area were the Indian's are speeking it was all in English. Why couldn't he do that for the French part, too.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to books of this kind I find it really hard to get into reading it because it's not what i'm use to but once I got the hang of this book I couldn't put it down, it was fantasic and the language did not affect the excitment of the story. I loved how Cooper discribed the scenery and how he wrote, it was a well written story.
ReplyDeleteI found with books of this nature was hard to begin with and then I got the gist of it and could pursue reading further. I am glad you could enjoy the book but I still had difficulties.
DeleteYes I found it tough, the hardest is when the french conversations started, I'm saddened that you still had problems.
DeleteSometimes I wonder if we should even teach books such as these in high school. Does the language "ruin" the book for people, making them never want to pick it up again? I mean, if you completely struggle to "get" it--do you get enjoyment? I am rereading this again for the millionth time and am enjoying it even more. Does this come with maturity???
ReplyDeleteSince you have read the book numerous times I bet you had discussions and questions with the book to better understand the book. If this is the case i think an individual would understand better by reading the book more than one time. Some maturity has to do with it, but I am older and get pretty good grades and I had a difficult time.Sometimes an individual may get it the first time and some do not. In reading this for the first time I feel it is hard, but each individual is different in their perceptions and understandings. I also think it has to do a little with the time frame of the book and relating to this time period considering the language.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what book it is you will always get more from it each time you read it. The maturity level might be a factor but what would ruin it is if you showed the movie rather then read the book, the movie was sadly disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI do find the way in which the story is written to be a distraction from the plot, however without it one could not envision experiencing that specific place and time. It would be odd to throw in modern day terms when describing the Indian and French war-time or strife between Indians and Whites. The language adds depth and complexity to the story, you've got to work at it to understand the true meaning. It actually makes the story more memorable and believable.
ReplyDelete