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/lit/ - Literature

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15903993 No.15903993 [Reply] [Original]

Help me I'm a newfag to classic literature and I have a question.

Do you understand everything in a book? Cause when I tried reading Moby Dick and War and Peace (only read the first ch of the two) I could only understand 70-80% of what it's saying and the parts that went over my head is when the author goes on long tangents on politics or a topic that I would only understand if I was born in that era. Tell me, do I have to understand these sections to appreciate the themes the author is presenting, or can I just forget about them and focus on the big picture. Yes, you don't need to tell me I'm retarded I already know. Thanks!

>> No.15904007

you can do whatever the fuck you want you fucking faggot piece of shit nigger lover cunt

>> No.15904025

>>15904007
Good enough Thanks, man!

>> No.15904302
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15904302

>>15903993
The problem is you're a moron idiot but that's ok and normal, if you become truly better read then you'll find all contextual aspects of a work to be absolutely vital. Whale ethology/anatomy or 19th century Russian politics isn't boring but highly intriguing

>> No.15904409

>>15903993

The more you read, the easier it gets. I had the same thing starting Moby Dick. If the work is complex, try to read a chapter analysis online after each chapter. A lot of classic books already have this included.

Also consider the first chapter of Moby Dick references Seneca, the Stoics, and the myth of Narcissus. Unless you have read a lot, you won't know them or the value of their allusions without googling. Because literature regularly references previous works, especially Greek myths and the bible, it's easier to start with earlier works and go forwards.

>> No.15904808

>>15904302
I have not gone to the whale anatomy part but I'm sure it would intrigue me
>>15904409
Thanks man you put it in perspective for me I'll try this out I appreciate it man