Apprehension Versus Comprehension
The essay explores the distinction between apprehending a work of literature and comprehending its meaning. The author argues that readers often mistake one for the other, with apprehension referring to the initial understanding of the text's surface-level meaning, while comprehension involves a deeper understanding of the underlying themes, symbolism, and emotional resonance.
By Arthur Quiller-Couch · First published 1916 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Literary Criticism, Educational · 6 chapters · 5,536 words
First lines
Wednesday, November 15, 1916.
Let us attempt today, Gentlemen, picking up the scent where we left at the conclusion of my first lecture, to hunt the Art of Reading (as I shall call it), a little further on the line of common-sense; then to cast back and chase on a line somewhat more philosophical. If these lines run wide and refuse to unite, we shall have made a false cast: if they converge and meet, we shall have caught our hare and may proceed, in subsequent lectures, to cook him.
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Apprehension Versus Comprehension is listed on Textopian as an essay by Arthur Quiller-Couch, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Arthur Quiller-Couch
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Essay, Literary Criticism, Educational, Historical, Rhetorical
- Length: 5,536 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 66 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Similar titles
- Signs And Symbols by Joyce Kilmer
- The Value Of Greek And Latin In English Literature by Arthur Quiller Couch
- On The Art Of Reading Introductory by Arthur Quiller Couch
- Stones Of Venice by John Ruskin
- On Convincing People by Hilaire Belloc
- Poets And Philosophers by James Mcintyre
Genres
- Philosophical Essay — The work explores deep philosophical themes regarding the nature of reading, knowledge, and the human experience.
- Literary Criticism — It critiques the methods of reading and understanding literature, emphasizing the importance of selection and comprehension.
- Educational — The text serves as a guide for readers on how to approach literature and the art of reading effectively.
- Historical — It references historical events and figures to illustrate points about knowledge and literature's evolution.
Tags
Literary Criticism · Philosophy of Language · Semiotics · Rhetoric · Communication Theory · Cognitive Science · Psycholinguistics · Linguistic Relativity · Metaphor · Symbolism · Figurative Language · Poetics