XI SERIOUS READING

Chapter XI of “How to Live on Twenty-Four Hours a Day” discusses “Serious Reading,” emphasizing the importance of choosing challenging literature for self-improvement rather than indulging solely in novels or prose fiction. The author argues that while novels, including great literature, are valuable and should be read, they often do not require significant mental exertion from the reader, which is crucial for cultivating the mind. The chapter suggests that the feeling of strain and difficulty faced when engaging with text is essential for intellectual growth, something that typically is not found in reading novels.

Instead, the author advocates for reading imaginative poetry as it demands a higher level of mental application, describing it as the highest form of literature that offers the greatest pleasure and wisdom. Recognizing that poetry may seem inaccessible to many, the chapter recommends starting with Hazlitt’s essay on poetry to understand its value and then moving on to narrative poetry for those unfamiliar with the genre. It specifically praises “Aurora Leigh” by E.B. Browning, suggesting that this work could change readers’ perceptions of poetry and prove them wrong in assuming they dislike it.

For those who finalize that poetry is not to their liking, history and philosophy are presented as noble alternatives. However, starting with such texts should come after preparing oneself through a year of disciplined reading to tackle these more complex subjects. The chapter also advises focusing one’s efforts on a specific area, like a historical event, subject, or author, to derive pleasure from becoming a specialist in that field.

The overarching message is a push towards engaging with intellectually challenging materials as a part of personal development, emphasizing that serious reading should strain the mind, and thus, contributes significantly to the cultivation of one’s intellect.