Once we get used to a particular author's style, we begin to feel like friends. In reading older, classic literature, we have to overcome the obstacles involved in learning to read the longer, flowery language of people who wrote in centuries past. We learn, and relax into the author's style, and finally come to an understanding of what it was they were trying to communicate to us. Succeeding in our task, of working hard to work through the words in front of us until we "get" what it is the author wanted to tell us, makes us feel proud to be human. We have found a person with a message and we have listened to them, truly listened to another human being. We have reached beyond the barrier of the edge of the self. We have proved that we can connect to a bigger picture, that we are one with the larger universe of mankind.
Through reading, we identify the differences created by our separations from others - the passage of time, the chasms of space, the experiences of communities isolated from our own. We cross those gulfs and establish a certain closeness with those writers. We find that we have been able to span the centuries and become familiar with people from different cultures. We are now at home with these people - formerly strangers, now friends - in a place that once seemed foreign. We have made our world a more intimate and happy place.
We can also get a sense of deep connection to others, beyond the one-on-one, by becoming a fan of a music idol or a celebrity, or a follower of a sports team, or even as a member of a church or political party. We say we are an alumnus of a particular educational institution or we faithfully watch each episode of a particular series of shows. This feeling of connection to a larger group becomes a part of our own identity. We are thrilled that we belong to a larger group of cooperating individuals, what we recognize as a civilized society. We learn the language, the activities, the thoughts and motivations of the group. We want to belong. We work at understanding them until we become one of them.
Writers create that "secret language" just between themselves and their readers, the language spoken only by the "in" crowd that they themselves have created. Readers hungrily look for clues that they are in the presence of one of their favorite writers, because they know that they are not alone - other readers who appreciate this author are here, too. When a reader comes to recognize that words have created a unique space, and they now stand as a member of the group, allowed within the coveted inner circle, it has the effect of stimulating deep-in-the-subconscious, primal feelings of connectedness. The reader belongs, to a larger group of humans who are sharing in the experience created by the author.
Reading works to give us a deep, comfortable sense of satisfaction. We are entitled to enter into the author's private space. We are one of these special people, each of whom have successfully mastered navigating this amazing environment created by the author. We have overcome the obstacles set in front of the characters, as we have learned to see the environment through their eyes. As we read a writer's words, we are as one; we are a larger group of readers who we know are out there; they are sitting beside us as we read the very same words together. We readers enjoy each other's company, as we appreciate our host, who has prepared for us this, yet another delicious word banquet.
We look forward to being invited to the next event, as we already know the password for entrance through this secret club's front door.
We look forward to being invited to the next event, as we already know the password for entrance through this secret club's front door.
