If you hang back and reserve and criticise at first, you are preventing yourself from getting the fullest possible value from what you read. But if you open your mind as widely as possible, then signs and hints of almost imperceptible fineness, from the twist and turn of the first sentences, will bring you into the presence of a human being unlike any other. (Woolf 1)”
What does this quote mean?
Don't make rash decisions about an experience before you have the benefit of the total experience. Keep an open mind.
If you say, I don't like ballet before you ever see a ballet, then you will be look for reasons not to enjoy, learn from the experience.
If you say this book is going to be boring, then you decide that you will not enjoy the book before you have opened the first page....and you will be missing an opportunity for an adventure.
If you say the Grand Canyon is nothing but a big ditch, just think of the awesome experience you will miss.
Thanks a bunch :D
The quote, attributed to Virginia Woolf, suggests that if you approach reading with a skeptical or critical mindset, you limit the potential value you can gain from it. On the other hand, if you approach reading with an open mind and allow yourself to be receptive to various perspectives, you may uncover subtle intricacies and nuances that lead you to encounter a unique and extraordinary individual through their writing.
Woolf argues that by reserving judgment and withholding criticism initially, readers enable themselves to fully absorb the essence of what they are reading. This implies the importance of suspending preconceived notions and biases, allowing the text to speak for itself. By immersing themselves in the writing, readers may begin to perceive faint indications and allusions that reveal the distinct voice and perspective of the author. This process can serve as a gateway to connecting intimately with the writer's thoughts and ideas.
In summary, the quote encourages readers to approach literature with an open mind, abandoning initial cynicism, and embracing the potential for profound connection with authors who offer a unique and unparalleled human experience.