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I can't figure out the themes of a book.

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Giftorcurse
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09 Jan 2010, 11:04 am

Neither can I notice character development.


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NateSean
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09 Jan 2010, 11:14 am

Any book in particular? Can you give examples of books that confused you?



Giftorcurse
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09 Jan 2010, 11:24 am

Just any deep book in particular. I'm good at deciphering Philip K. Dick's, though.


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Peko
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09 Jan 2010, 11:25 am

I think theme means something along the lines of "what is the purpose or meaning/lesson of the book/story". Character development means something about how does the character change
ex. In the Harry Potter series, within he goes from a naive/damaged boy to a strong young man who not only knows what is important in life but is able to accept his destiny & the prospect of death


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09 Jan 2010, 11:31 am

Unless you're writing a book report, I wouldn't worry too much about 'theme'. And even if you are writing a book report, just google "theme" and the name of the book, and you'll get some key statements to work with. Sure, it's cheating, but a books theme is such an ephemeral concept it serves little purpose to know except to keep English majors busy.


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09 Jan 2010, 12:48 pm

For me it depends on the book. While I feel like I can handle single abstract concepts I am usually lost when the author goes off on a metaphorical tangent.


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buryuntime
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09 Jan 2010, 5:03 pm

I understand what you mean. I read quite heavily, especially when I was younger, and I could never answer the reading comprehension questions. :(

But, I still read a lot, and I am a lot better at this. Still forget or do not recognize character names, etc... but I think I am better at it. Just read a few book reviews (one without spoilers before you read, one with spoilers after you read) and you can figure out what you didn't pick up that others did. At least that is what I do.



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09 Jan 2010, 5:21 pm

People read a lot of themes and meanings into books. Sometimes the authors even agree with them! 8) :)


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09 Jan 2010, 5:34 pm

buryuntime wrote:
I understand what you mean. I read quite heavily, especially when I was younger, and I could never answer the reading comprehension questions. :(

But, I still read a lot, and I am a lot better at this. Still forget or do not recognize character names, etc... but I think I am better at it. Just read a few book reviews (one without spoilers before you read, one with spoilers after you read) and you can figure out what you didn't pick up that others did. At least that is what I do.


Do you naturally read very very fast? I have trouble with comprehension but I find it hard to slow down. An aspect of hyperlexia although I don't think I learned to read at an incredibly early age.


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skysaw
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09 Jan 2010, 7:28 pm

Giftorcurse wrote:
Neither can I notice character development.


I find this difficult too.
I am quite surprised to find on WrongPlanet how much fiction some aspies read.
I've often found fiction hard-going.

I take it you're still at school?
Have you tried Cliff's Notes? :)
I read the Cliff's Notes (or was it York Notes?) on Catcher in the Rye and Waiting for Godot (a few years after I left school that is), and I found them really illuminating.



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09 Jan 2010, 7:46 pm

skysaw wrote:
Giftorcurse wrote:
Neither can I notice character development.


I find this difficult too.
I am quite surprised to find on WrongPlanet how much fiction some aspies read.
I've often found fiction hard-going.

I take it you're still at school?
Have you tried Cliff's Notes? :)
I read the Cliff's Notes (or was it York Notes?) on Catcher in the Rye and Waiting for Godot (a few years after I left school that is), and I found them really illuminating.


I read a lot of fiction but I enjoy it for the story and the immediate visual impressions it gives me and don't tend to analyze it too much. That's one way to kill a great read. I know people with English degrees who can hardly stand to pick up a book. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.


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