Book Lovers fear dim future for notes in the Margins
Par Florence Hinard (Lycée Le Corbusier, Poissy (78)) le 11 janvier 2014, 18:26 - Lien permanent
Book Lovers Fear Dim Future for Notes in the Margins
By DIRK JOHNSON
CHICAGO — Locked in a climate-controlled vault at the Newberry Library here, a volume titled “The Pen and the Book” can be studied only under the watch of security cameras.
The book, about making a profit in publishing, scarcely qualifies as a literary masterpiece. It is highly valuable, instead, because a reader has scribbled in the margins of its pages.
The scribbler was Mark Twain, who had penciled, among other observations, a one-way argument with the author, Walter Besant, that “nothing could be stupider” than using advertising to sell books as if they were “essential goods” like “salt” or “tobacco.” On another page, Twain made some snide remarks about the big sums being paid to another author of his era, Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science.
Like many readers, Twain was engaging in marginalia, writing comments alongside passages and sometimes giving an author a piece of his mind. It is a rich literary pastime, sometimes regarded as a tool of literary archaeology, but it has an uncertain fate in a digitalized world.
“People will always find a way to annotate electronically,” said G. Thomas Tanselle, a former vice president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and an adjunct professor of English at Columbia University. “But there is the question of how it is going to be preserved. And that is a problem now facing collections libraries.”
These are the sorts of matters pondered by the Caxton Club, a literary group founded in 1895 by 15 Chicago bibliophiles. With the Newberry, it is sponsoring a symposium in March titled “Other People’s Books: Association Copies and the Stories They Tell.”
The symposium will feature a new volume of 52 essays about association copies — books once owned or annotated by the authors — and ruminations about how they enhance the reading experience. The essays touch on works that connect President Lincoln and Alexander Pope; Jane Austen and William Cowper; Walt Whitman andHenry David Thoreau.
Marginalia was more common in the 1800s. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a prolific margin writer, as were William Blake and Charles Darwin. In the 20th century it mostly came to be regarded like graffiti: something polite and respectful people did not do.
Paul F. Gehl, a curator at the Newberry, blamed generations of librarians and teachers for “inflicting us with the idea” that writing in books makes them “spoiled or damaged.”
But marginalia never vanished. When Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa in 1977, a copy of Shakespeare was circulated among the inmates. Mandela wrote his name next to the passage from “Julius Caesar” that reads, “Cowards die many times before their deaths.”
Studs Terkel, the oral historian, was known to admonish friends who would read his books but leave them free of markings. He told them that reading a book should not be a passive exercise, but rather a raucous conversation.
Books with markings are increasingly seen these days as more valuable, not just for a celebrity connection but also for what they reveal about the community of people associated with a work, according to Heather Jackson, a professor of English at the University of Toronto.
Professor Jackson, who will speak at the symposium, said examining marginalia reveals a pattern of emotional reactions among everyday readers that might otherwise be missed, even by literary professionals.
“It might be a shepherd writing in the margins about what a book means to him as he’s out tending his flock,” Professor Jackson said. “It might be a schoolgirl telling us how she feels. Or maybe it’s lovers who are exchanging their thoughts about what a book means to them.”
Just about anyone who has paged through a used college textbook has seen marginalia, and often added comments of their own.
Not everyone values marginalia, said Paul Ruxin, a member of the Caxton Club. “If you think about the traditional view that the book is only about the text,” he said, “then this is kind of foolish, I suppose.”
David Spadafora, president of the Newberry, said marginalia enriched a book, as readers infer other meanings, and lends it historical context. “The digital revolution is a good thing for the physical object,” he said. As more people see historical artifacts in electronic form, “the more they’re going to want to encounter the real object.”
The collection at the Newberry includes a bound copy of “The Federalist” once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Besides penciling his initials in the book, Jefferson wrote those of the founding fathers alongside their essays, which had originally been published anonymously.
“It’s pretty interesting to hold a book that Jefferson held,” Mr. Spadafora said. “Besides that, if we know what books were in his library in the years leading to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, it tells us something about what might have inspired his intellect.”
In her markings, Rose Caylor gave us a sense of her husband, the playwright Ben Hecht. In her copy of “A Child of the Century,” which Mr. Hecht wrote, she had drawn an arrow pointing to burns on a page. “Strikes matches on books,” she noted about her husband, who was a smoker.
Some lovers of literature even conjure dreamy notions about those who have left marginalia for them to find. In his poem “Marginalia,” Billy Collins, the former American poet laureate, wrote about how a previous reader had stirred the passions of a boy just beginning high school and reading “The Catcher in the Rye.”
As the poem describes it, he noticed “a few greasy smears in the margin” and a message that was written “in soft pencil — by a beautiful girl, I could tell.” It read, “Pardon the egg salad stains, but I’m in love.”
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: February 25, 2011
An article on Monday about the uncertain fate of marginalia — notations scribbled in the margins of books by readers — in a digitalized world misstated the surname of the author whose book was inscribed by Jane Austen. Austen inscribed her own copy of “Poems” by William Cowper, not William Cooper.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/books/21margin.html?_r=0
Commentaires
Having the full article before my eyes helps making myself an idea of the subject. If I get it right, it's about people writting in the corner and the 'margins' of pages - something I will never do. Except if it's a photocopy of course. I mean, I gave MONEY to buy this book, I certainly will NOT scribble on it. I may find some passages in books worth being criticized, but I'm not the kind of people who'll write comments everywhere just for fun. I mean, sarcasm and irony were the main subject of Mark Twain's scribbles. A one-way argument with an author who'll probably NEVER know about your note's existence isn't really helpful.
This may be a bad example because Mr. Twain's notes are actually famous, but I mean, not everyone can afford being known everywhere they go. I understand the 'I used my brain and I can think'-part that is something good if you want to prove yourself you can outpass the limit of trust between the author and the audience, and not think everything that's written on book is true because it was printed on paper. But again if the author can not read your 'review', you can't help him improve.
Anyway, David Spadafora's quote kind of.. disturb me. "The digital revolution is a good thing for the physical object". How can it be ? "As more people see historical artifacts in electronic form, 'the more they’re going to want to encounter the real object.' ", seriously? With respect, my good sir: the digital form of a book does not help the "real object". You haven't seen the impact of internet on today's generation. I'm part of it, and I can see A LOT of people - if not EVERYONE - watch movies in streaming, read books in .pdf, download music. How, with all this FREE stuff, can people want to buy the "real" object, if they already have it in another 'form'? Seems pretty useless for me. Even if I'm the kind of fan that will rather buy something "real" than digitalized, I'm aware of what's going on around me. And it's certainly not what Mr. Spadafora talks about.
(oh, the irony: writting a comment about how a one-way argument is worthless, and doing it immedialty after, with a simple quote by someone who'll never ever see my comment. <- sums up my life it seems! :) )
In my opinion, kindle is not necessary. It lacks of humanity and tradition; it's been so many century since books were created and their form never changed. Books and news papers should keep their covers and pages to let us enjoy them again and again. The pleasure of buying and reading a real book can't be replaced by a electronic book. It's not a revival of books but a time wasting in super flu. To turn the pages, the smell of an old book, to make dog-eared, to scribble in the margin like Mark Twain, those little things are irreplaceable.
Electronical books are handier than real books. You don't need to go to the library to buy a book, you can do it at home. Also, you can read your favorites books several times, without it becomes used. So many others advantages !
In my opinion, I prefere the book because I don't wan't to forget the tradition of the stroll in the bookshop, or the book's touch and the feeling when I turn the leaves of a special book. The technology can't do that and it's because of that, I prefere the book!
In my opinion, books are better than the Kindle because the Kindle is expensive and if someone steal the Kindle, we lose all the books.
I prefere kindle because It's more practical has to transport and we not obliged to go has the library to buy books,we can buy them from our home. Furthermore in a kindle there are lots of books. There are more advantages.
To my mind the kindle is juste useless. I know I'm expeditive, but this century is the end of the real life, all is virtual. It kills the pleasure of having a book in your hand, smell the paper and the ink , the contact of the pages...There's no magic, no feelings! I also love when there's a big bookcase in a house, it's a very good feeling to look at the books the people of the house like, you get to lnow them by the books they read. Or maybe am I to sensitive? I don't think so. And personally I wouldn't buy a kindle, break it in a month and buy it again... A lot of people are clumsy, just like me, for example the old people who read a lot.
I also loved when I was younger,(but I still like) walking in a library where all the imagination is concentrated in all those books.
I don't like the idea of internet generation even if I am directly concerned, I think we should keep a little traditions just to not forget the past.
In my opinion, electronical books make us life easier. They are smaller, lighter and more practical. Moreover the book's pages don't get damaged and most important we can have more than 300 in the kindle. The new technology creates marvel like kindle !
I have no preference but I think that kindles and books papers are very good. I have not utilized kindle but I think I would buy one because it have easy to use and as I read a lot of books (about 7 in 1 month) the economies can make or avoid me delays in the library. I love paper books because I like the feel and I can see by the thickness over my reading if I finished the book or not. so I have objective point of view :)
I prefer electronic books because it is much more convenient to carry. In addition you can have access to several books on a small shelf that can not be full of books but only take the tablet.
For my part, I think that electronical books can be very practical, you can take it in your bag, it's not heavy, you can buy a book at home. But I don't think that it would eliminate the book. With a real book, we can tuch the pages, we can right on it, we can have some dedication on it. A real book, when you buy it, it's yours, it's your object, whereas on the electronical book, you buy a book wich is virtual. Your librarian would be empty without real books, and I think that would be sad.
I think real books are better than electronic books. In my opinion, electronic books are practical but it's not the same that a real book. For example: I love to see and touch a book, turn the pages and the smell. I think it's better for our vision, and to be relaxed in a bed for example. You can write on them, draw, or put notes. And it would be sad that real books are forgotten.
Hi everybody ! The blog miss hinard is a very original idea, because it enable pupils to do speak amongst themselves en english apart from the class and react to others commentaries. But the flashy pink in the background isn't my favourite colour, and I believe that some pupils think just as me.
On the whole, I read remarks from everyone, and some commentaries are very interesting. For example, I agree with LauraCosta when she said " the technology can't do that and it's because of that " and I answer to her that I prefer too the book !
Evidently, I read also the article from the New York Time, it's very fascinating.
Since on everyone's lips, I give too my opinion. Personally, I'm against the interactive or electronic book, and more particularly the kindle. I remain convinced what the future is in the book of paper even if paradoxically it's a real, old style and authentic tradition. I am maybe a conservative or old-fashioned people but I have a preference for books papers. Indeed, the genuine book smell unique odour, pages are soft and sometimes colourful, that makes peoples want read. Evently, the kindle possess some advantages for readers to read quick because it contain lot of books and facilitate their access. Although for me, the kindle is not able replace the book, it's just a alternative. Another,I think that the Library and the bookshops are places of meeting between differents peoples or generations. Contrary the kindle, the book as for him creates connections !
Unlike the firsts commentaries, it haven't to exagerate, the price of the book ins't very expensive. It exist books of second-hand who are very good.
Other argument against the kindle who is in accordance with of Arianne G: the kindle is not necessary. If the world is lost, ruined, or tarnished because of disaster, the book can subsist or just some fragments but the kindle haven't got luck of survive. It's a point of view little pessimist and I hope for don't happen...
The cover of the book is often enough if pretty !
According to me real books are the best !
But I think electronical book can be very practical when you travel a lot, it's not large or heavy... even so we can't replace the book because the smell of the ink or the touch of the page are irremplaçable , you can do everything with your book : you can draw, put notes, write everything you want..
Moreover books makes a lot of job : in the bookshop or the library !
Ok, it can cause the deforestation but kindle use little children and rare materials
:(. The books are inheritance of our ancestor ! They were here before our birth ! If bookshad to disappear, we would not have a mark of our history.
For me, Electronics books are the future. I do not say that papers books are outdated, but soon, all will be done through by the digital. Even if papers books give an old print, authenticity, electronics books give a sense of modernity to whoever uses it.
According to me, a Kindle will never replace a true book. Even if some people think that notes in the margins are "useless", I don't think it is. When you buy your book, however you'll do on it, you will not "damage" it with notes, you just make it yours : that's two differents things. Write any opinion or idea makes the book more personnal and richer : that's not anymore a book, it becomes your book. I prefere see a book with corner turn down, coffee stains and notes everywhere than a book in a perfect state who looks to be like nobody have ever read it!
I'm going to speak my mind. I am conviced that real books are better than electronic books. A book is one of the oldest object in the Humankind; it's part of the cultural wealth; for a lot of years, it's a way of learning in several field (like philosophy, theater, poetry, argumentation, politic ...) for humans; it allows to transmit knowledge. It's the literature's tool, it's like something magical. Apart from what is writing inside, the book itself is very important according to me. The cover, page's smell are part of the pleasure to have a book wich is holding in our hands. With a book, you can also have a wonderful bookcase, something where you see all your book's collection ! Electronic book is just a way to lose all those values, to lose something Historic and Magic. So please madam, stop reading with your electronic book, and rediscover the pleasure of holding a beautiful book in your hands ! :)
I prefer buying an Ipad than a Kindle, books are better and I prefer eating a Kinder !
I totally agree with the traditional paper book. In a society where the electronic is our present and everything works with electricity, it's really good to keep a part of the past with everything that the humans before us wrote on the paper. With the electronic, we're gonna loose this. And we love to go to the library of our town and turn the pages of everybook and to have the pleasure to choose the book that we want, even if it's during hours, it's a real pleasure that we have to keep ! Electronic is the future, but not for this !
I totally agree with Oscar, Kinder are good. But I don't think that kindle are that useful. I prefer having a old great book that smells the paper between my hands rather than a "kindle". Of course some people think that
thekindles are too hipster and that the book are old-fashioned or less useful but I don't care ! Let me buy my books peacefully !I don't always read books but when i do i really prefer having the feeling of the paper between my fingers than the feeling of iron or plastic... Acording
toutto me books are more genuine than texts downloaded in a few seconds, and that might be why i would prefer chosing a book than a kindle.I think e-books are not a good idea .. We must stop making everything Electronic
elsewhere! After cigarettes, books, we must stop! This should give a sore head after a while, then it was more fun to discoverhistorystories through the pages as you turn,themore the smell of paper either .. In short, I prefer real books!I prefer paper
sbooks because I find that the bookhimself itself tells a story before telling the one that it contains. I also likethe fact ofbeing able to hold a book in the hands, to feel the paper under our fingers and to be able to analyze the cover book but later it is obvious thattheelectronic books are verypracticalhandy.I would
tospeak my mind. In my opinion I like electronic books ; because I find it more convenient. We can have access to several books and therefore a variety of reading on just oneapparatus device. The kindle can be cheaper than the paper books.Ityou can carry it everywhere. Electronic books are also convenient in the sense we don’t need to travel to the bookstore to buy the book you may have to buy it directly through the e-book. I think the invention of the e-book can make reading more fun and can encourage people to read more. The kindle is more reliablestrongerthan paper books and the risk of cutting your fingers when we turningthe pages don’t happen. The e-book brings modernity and discover a different approach with the world of reading. It is thinner, smaller, lighter, and therefore practical, but I may have tosaywonder Are these booksarebetter than real books? However the kindle loses his soul nostalgia and authenticity that have paper books. A book have ahistory, a presentation a smell all things that participates in the joy of reading a real books. I think that electronic books will never replace paper books for book lovers.To my mind both are great, kindle and real books. The Kindle is a good idea because we can have a lot of books with us and we can have
usthem everywere we go. but I think the feeling of the paper of a real book is important. I don't have any preference. In class I tested the kindle and I was impressed by the quality but it will never replace a book. We live in the 21 st century and we have to evolve with our generation then the kindle is maybe the future.In my opinion e-books are a very nice option for
thosepeople who have to read lots of books in a short time. You can have many books in one simple tool. It's very handy and light so you can take it always with you.But I think for those who read books for fun on their holidays and in their free time, a real book is much cooler. At the beach for example you don't have to worry about the
sablesand . I prefer turning the pages myself and feeling the weight in my hands. We can connect personal stories with a book and give it to somebody else. We shouldn't let the modern technologies win against such a nice object!To my mind, electronic books have a lot of advantages but they can't replace real books. I won't buy an electronic book because I love the smell
the odorof the paper and it's not possible with electronic things ! For me, the authenticity of a book is really important, with an old book we can see that it had exprecience; they can't be outmoded. It's my opinion but I'm conscious that electronic books are a good thing !To my mind, kindles are very useful for people who travel a lot, because it's easy to take it with you.
But I prefer books than e-books, because I enjoy taking extracts of books and write them in my notebook. I like very much the smell of
ancientold books and also to feel the pages: it's more pleasant!Otherwise I hope e-books will not replace books. I don't want
thatthe worldwillto be full of electronical devices...Ilike moreprefer the traditionnal way.And to conclude I prefer to have books, because you can lend them to your friends if you want to share your interests. So, buy books!
I found that the electronic books are better than a reall books because I just want to say that we are in the 21st century and that books are very outmoded. And it's not very practical for exAmple when we go on holidays we
haven'tdon't have to take with us many books fortheschool. So electronical books are much better than real books. And when canboughtbuy a lot of booksinon just one tablet, that's very handy and pratical. I found it's a very very good idea to have created this electronical book, i think it's the new generation soboughtbuy it it's very very good i think, and it's not very expensive.In my opinion electronic and real books have both
right?? side. With an electronic book you can havesomany books in one and I think it's cheaper to buy the bookinon the internet (for the electronic book). Moreover this is more useful : when you want to read you don't have to put the light on beacause the electronic book makes light.In contraryOn the other hand I think that a real book is the best way to read for old people because they are used to them.Also you have the smell of the pages and it's irreplaceable ! Also a bookcase in a livingroom is so classy !In conclusion I like both.