My professor in college once used this statement “You are what you read” when he addressed the whole class. I was in second year college then and I had hard time figuring out what he meant by this. I tried many times but I always came up with shallow personal meanings, even my classmates shared a not so profound ideas. I appreciate their efforts, though.

I consulted an expert and this person told me that literally and figuratively speaking it offers the same meaning. In a broad sense, it is associated with “You are what you do.” I guess you are familiar with “You are what you watch” and “You are what you eat.” Therefore, it means that your activities manifest your personality. In Literature, this can be used as symbolisms, that is, when a character is fond of watching or reading pornography he is considered as either pervert, sexually starved, or the least is driven by curiosity.

Going back to my topic “You are what you read” means your subject/topic of readings manifests your inner personality. I believe many are unconscious and few are conscious. There are people who would read either fiction, non-fiction, comic/comedy, tragedy or others depending on the preferences. I’d like to narrow down my topic to consistency. This means that , this topic shapes those who read a topic exclusively. This doesn’t concern too much about people who alternately read topics.

People who haven’t outgrown fiction stories of Cinderella, Snow White and other fantasies are considered being aliens to the real world. I believe it’s high time to face and accept the reality, don’t be afraid. After all, there’s no such thing as ‘they live happily ever after.‘ On the other hand, non-fiction readers are the ones equipped with courage to face reality and considered as more mature and have a stronger personality. Those who read comic/comedy readings are expected to share what they read and considered as being accommodating and amusing people.

Well, I think it’s your prerogative to judge those who often read tragedy and the likes. Please be objective and no prejudice.

 

November 3rd, 2008 by davismarcruiz I was born to write as I always believed but after reading my finished articles they just ended as rubbishes. I tried writing short stories and poems but I thought they were cheesy so I never shared it to others, who's gonna be interested to them if I, the writer, did not like them anyway? But I always wish someone may be interested, because what makes a writer happy is he's aware that his writings are being read.