I personally regret the shift in literary study from reading primary texts to reading critical and theoretical texts. The major problem today among students is that they simply have not read enough literature. Consequently they do not have the necessary background to take a critical attitude towards literary theory. One needs to test every abstraction against experience.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Gioia argues that students lack the foundational experience of reading literature, making them unable to critique theory effectively. He emphasizes testing abstract ideas against real experience.
- In plain terms
- Students need to read more actual literature before studying theory so they can critique it properly.
- What can you take from it?
- Ground abstract theories in concrete reading experience.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much reading is enough before starting theory?
- What value does theory have without experience?
Another view
Some theoretical frameworks may be useful without extensive prior reading of primary texts.
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