Tuesday, December 2, 2008

"If the literature we are reading does not wake us, why do we read it? A literary work must be an ice-axe to break the sea frozen inside us."

---Franz Kafka
(adapted)

What does this quote mean? Provide a valid interpretation of this statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references. Don't forget to comment on someone else's opinion.

41 comments:

DeBajanQueena20008 said...

Hi Mrs.Hall its raerae aka ragayla from 281 and i think that this quote means that without reading we would not have an idea of what can happen. When we read we like to infer or predict what might hapen next, without reading we can not infer about things that are going on in life and around us. When reading it brings on this intense feeling like you want to read more and more which breaks the barrier which you were holding in to read even more constant. I love to read and this quote is perfect for me.

Carlnow said...
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Carlnow said...
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Enjah Newman said...

Hi mrs hall how are u my name is Enjah Newman i Have decied to do better i Know all odds are against me but i will try

Yours Truly Enjah Newman

2hot4you said...
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2hot4you said...

hi this is sandra from class 281 and i think this quote means that we shouldnt read books that bore us because it doesnt wake our thoughts

Lilpat said...

I think this quote means that without reading we would not have an idea of what can happen

big dizzy said...

Hi mrs hall this devon a.k.a big dizzy from class 273 i think this quote means that the reading we do does not wake us up and we have to learn other things that is going on around us in the world. this quote is pretty interesting this is big dizzy signing off.

asheslove said...

this is the one and only asheslove aka ashley of 281. I think this quote means that if the book we are reading does not engage us that we fall in love with it, then what is the point! the book should be so good that it opens us up and reveals the truth inside of us.

asheslove said...

i happen to disagree with raerae with half her comment but the part of how it makes you want to read more is fine. asheslove sign out

johnny gadere said...

I think this quote means if book are boring why do we read them? In my point of view, the answer to this question is that although books arte boring, as we read we gain knowledge and I thing that's the reason we read books. And I also think that the frozen sea inside us is the lack of knowwledge. I will also like to say that I disagree with Carl's comment because it makes no sense to me.

From Johnny, 281

Anonymous said...

this quote means if you dont appreciate or take advantage of the wisdom literature gives you,then the only way to break us down is to make the work intriguing or insulting to beak the stubbornness in us.

Anonymous said...

the comment before this one was by Dorcas-281

☆★mn2508e↗↗↗ said...

hi i m nicole fm class 281. i think this quote means that if we want 2 read a literature we hv 2 find a gd one 2 read. we suppose 2 choose a literature that can make us learn somethin'. n a gd literature can make us hv the interest 2 learn more n more, as the quote said "A literary work must be an ice-axe to break the sea frozen inside us."

☆★mn2508e↗↗↗ said...

i fell kinda agree w/ carl's comment bcuz if that book bored u it may not b a gd book. a gd book will make people feel interest n fun while u r readin' it.

smart sweet sificated said...

Hey this is yolanda Simeon. I think this quote means that when we read a book we need to know that it is something we can enjoy.if we do not approve of the book then we might as well be reading nothing. this quote really means that you should pick a book you can enjoy if not thn the ice will melt and its not cause of the axe its because of the book that is killing you to death.

$ClassyPrincess$ said...

Hi Mrs. Hall this is Ashley from your homeroom. I think this quote means that if you read a book or a article does not spark it up what's the point of reading it. It also means if you have to strain to read it then your wasting your time!!

Carlnow said...
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Carlnow said...

IS68 Carl Powell Jr
281

I think this quote mean if a book bores you shouldn't read it unless it is a must (homework,text,and any other). A book has to be so interesting that it get you in a adrenaline or excite you. Also I agree with the quote because many people choose books and sleep on them.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mrs.Hall this is Junior Elinor from class 274.I think that quote means that if you reading a book thats making you fall asleep whats the whole point of reading that book.I think the part where it says "A literary work most be an ice-axe to break the sea frozen inside us" means a book that you should read and be interested in should be a book that opens up your mind and makes you never sleep.I like this quote because sometimes that happens to me a lot I end up reading a book that makes me feel bored and sleepy.

TheMasterM100 said...

Hello ms.hall it me Malik Class 274.I think it means that even thought the story does not move us I doesn't mean we don't like it.

tavina96 said...

well think this i talking we reading we would not have an idea of what can happen. When we read we like to infer or predict what might hapen next, without reading we can not infer about things that are going on in life and around us. When reading it brings on this intense feeling like you want to read more and more which breaks the barrier which you were holding in to read even more constant. I love to read and this quote is perfect for us.

tavina96 said...

octavina bastien 274

tavina96 said...

on last thind i also think that its about that if you reading a book thats making you fall asleep whats the whole point of reading that book.I think the part where it says "A literary work most be an ice-axe to break the sea frozen inside us" means a book that you should read and be interested in should be a book that opens up your mind and makes you never sleep.I like this quote because sometimes that happens to me a lot I end up reading a book that makes me feel bored and sleepy.
In my point of view, the answer to this question is that although books arte boring, as we read we gain knowledge and I thing that's the reason we read books. And I also think that the frozen sea inside us is the lack of knowwledge. I will also like to say that I disagree with Carl's comment because it makes no sense to me. A literature can make us hv the interest 2 learn more n more, as the quote said "A literary work must be an ice-axe to break the sea frozen inside us." octavina bastien 274

*Shamarie* said...

I think this means that it is just a waste of time if we read literature that isn't 'attention grabbing' and 'attractive' to us. It means that we should read literature that will stimulate our minds and will have a good effect on our lives.

Anonymous said...

My name is Jazmyne parris and feel that the qoute is saying the liture is to wake u up mand amuse you. IF IT DOESNT why read it........................................... it should set you feet and let you enjoy the book

Anonymous said...

i feel junor is right all the way

$$Eli54$$CHIEFS ALL DAY said...

Hi mrs. Hall it's MR. Martin from 281, I think that quote means if we do not read we can't have knowledge to things around us. If we do not read we cannot we can be aware to other people and to share what we have to say by the stories, articles, fables etc. through life we read to expand our mind to things around. Reading is one of the best ways to grow your intellect. I think this quote will have an impact on me throughout my lifetime.

Anonymous said...

My name is Jazmyne parris and feel that the quote is saying the literature is to wake u up and amuse you. IF IT DOESNT why read it........................................... it should set you feet and let you enjoy the book

$$Eli54$$CHIEFS ALL DAY said...

i happen to agree with johnny of 281 because Carl's answer does not make any sense but johnny however does make sense because books give us knowledge and our knowledge is our greatest tool,weapon and guide to our future and books is food to our greatest weapon.

Anonymous said...

My name is Jazmyne Parris and feel that the quote is saying the literature is to wake u up and amuse you not to make you dull and sleepy .IF IT DOESNT amuse why read it........................................... it should set you free and let you enjoy the book

Lil' Jay said...

This quote means that literature is supposed to be so strong that it can brack into our emotions and make us fell it

---JEVAUGHN GREY CLASS 273---

Anonymous said...

I THINK THIS QUOTE MEANS WHY READ A PIECE OF LITURATURE IF ITS NOT EXCITING OR FUN . YOU SHOULD READ A PIECE OF LITURATURE THAT IS FUN AND MAKES YOU WANT TO READ IT

babyfootloose said...

hi this is devontae from class 273 i think the quote means that we shouldnt read what doesent intrest ous it is better to read what intrests you

Anonymous said...

i disagree with this stament because a peace of liturature does not have to wake us it depends on your situation if u are reading to gain knowledge then it doesent but if you are reading for fun it does aply. I dont think of a literary work as a ice-axe but as a key a key to amagination and knowledge it shouldent be breaking but opeing. but i do agree with ashley of 281 she has a point it should the book should be so good that it opens us up and reveals the truth inside of us

Anonymous said...

i am jeffrey alfred 281 if u didnt know

Samara said...

i think that this quote means that if a literature does not maketeach you something and we are not interested to it why do we raed it

Long Da said...

Im long da from 281 if the literature we are reading doesnt wake us why do we read it why because u may never know wat the literature holds

Long Da said...

I think all of you guys are doing good nice interpretation nice!

CJ said...

Hi Mrs Hall,it's Chereen from class281. In my opinion,this quote means that we must read literature that motivates us. It should be able to inspire us and give us a new meaning to things that occur in our world, or can help us metaphorically.
I agree with this statement because some people waste their money to buy books that doesn't interest them, eventually, they won't understand what the book is trying to teach them.

CJ said...

I aree with asheslove because books are engaging but only for their intended audience. And they should be able to open up our true selves.