On the Art of Reading · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide references, clarifications, and additional commentary on the lectures, including remarks on the evolution of English teaching, medieval university oaths, and quotations from various literary works.
What happens
The endnotes provide references, clarifications, and additional commentary on the lectures, including remarks on the evolution of English teaching, medieval university oaths, and quotations from various literary works.
Themes in this chapter
Education vs. Examination
The endnotes critique the old system of English teaching and reflect on the nature of true education versus rote examination.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator reflects on the system of English teaching and provides endnotes.
- Samuel Rogers
Quoted for his lines on Lady Jane Grey.
- Donne
Referenced for his 'Sermon II preached at Pauls upon Christmas Day, in the Evening.'
- Sir Thomas Browne
Mentioned in a note about his style in the Preface.
- Jane Taylor
Suspected author of a quoted passage on education.
- Samuel Daniel
Quoted from his 'Epistle to the Lady Margaret, Countess of Cumberland.'
Key passages
“The reader will kindly turn back to the start of the chapter, and observe the date at the head of this lecture. At that time I was engaged against a system of English teaching which I believed to be thoroughly bad. That system has since given place to another, which I am prepared to defend as a better.”
The narrator asks the reader to note the date of the lecture, explaining that he was then opposing a poor English teaching system that has since been replaced by one he now supports.
Reflects the evolution of educational methods.
“Well! … my education is at last finished: indeed it would be strange, if, after five years’ hard application, anything were left incomplete. Happily that is all over now; and I have nothing to do, but to exercise my various accomplishments.”
A young woman boasts that her education is complete after five years of hard work, and she now only needs to practice her accomplishments.
Satirizes superficial education focused on accomplishments rather than deep learning.