How was my week this week? Informative I would say.
Why?
Because I learned a great truth about life.
There are only three things that are certain in life. Taxes, death, and endless note taking in school.

Another thing I’ve learned this week, you can’t have too many highlighters.

Despite my reluctance to once again begin the dreaded note taking, I must admit our more recent notes in American Literature have changed my perspective on books and films.
In one way, I feel more cheated. After learning about Aristotle’s Ethical Imperative, I feel more aware of my emotions being manipulated. I understand why authors use this. They do want to sell more books after all. But I now understand why I want to continue reading books and movies, especially in a series. I just feel slightly used now.
For example, the Harry Potter book and movie series follows this pattern. The books start off at a certain emotional point. It then proceeds to build until we finally come to a climax. One such point is Harry’s confrontation with Voldemort in the first book. following this climax, certain issues are resolved…
EXCEPT
the minor issue of Lord Voldemort still out there yearning to kill everyone!

So yeah, I’m going to want to read the other books!
Because I become so attached to these characters, I become an active participant in the story. To be an active participant, I have to feel the emotions of the characters, not just observe them and keep plodding through the novel. You need to have a reaction to the characters and develop opinions.
Such as sympathy,

respect,

and a sincere desire to rid the world of loathsome vermin like this creature.

Considering how emotionally attached (or disgusted) I become with characters from the books I read, I believe I am a more active participant than passive.
All people can be active participants in reading! All one needs to do is focus on the text and let it become a picture in the readers mind.
WARNING:
Be aware that doing this may lead to crying, laughing out loud, screaming at fictional people, throwing the book across the room, losing sleep to finish another chapter, and steadily becoming addicted to each new book.

Happy Reading!!!