# Lecture IV: Children's Reading (II) explained — On the Art of Reading > Chapter companion for On the Art of Reading by Arthur Quiller-Couch. ## What happens The lecture continues the discussion of children's reading by examining the six instincts a child naturally desires, as catalogued by Mr. Holmes: the communicative, dramatic, artistic, musical, inquisitive, and constructive instincts. The focus narrows to three purely imitative instincts—acting, drawing/painting/modelling, and dancing/singing—and connects them to Aristotle's Poetics, which bases poetry on imitation, harmony, and rhythm. Aristotle's argument that poetry imitates the universal rather than mere factual truth is linked to the child's innate drive to realize himself through noble imitation. The lecturer urges educators to help children access poetry by reading aloud without over-explaining, using early Milton as an example, and concludes that the highest truth of poetry is simple enough for a child to understand, echoing Jesus' words about revelation to babes. ## Themes in this chapter ### Children and Imagination The entire lecture focuses on children's natural instincts (communicative, dramatic, artistic, musical, inquisitive, constructive) and how they relate to the appreciation and creation of poetry. ### The Purpose of Reading The lecturer argues that the highest purpose of reading poetry is to realize oneself through imitation of the universal, and that educators should help children access this rather than hinder it. ### Value of the Classics Aristotle's Poetics is presented as a timeless framework for understanding poetry's origins and its imitation of universal truth, and early Milton is recommended for children. ## Character check-ins ### Aristotle Quoted extensively from the Poetics to explain the origins of poetry in imitation, harmony, and rhythm, and to argue that poetry imitates the universal. ### Dr. Johnson Quoted on Gray's 'Elegy,' saying it abounds with images that find a mirror in every mind. ### Wordsworth Quoted for the line 'The sounding cataract / Haunted me like a passion' and for the phrase 'There is a pleasure in poetic pains.' ### Milton Mentioned as the author of Paradise Lost, which the lecturer advises against using for young children; instead, 'L'Allegro' is recommended and quoted. ### Jesus Quoted: 'I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.' ### St. Paul Quoted: 'the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.' ### Gray His 'Elegy' is referenced via Dr. Johnson's praise. ## Key lines > The time is come, the Infant said, To talk of many things: Of babies, storks and cabbages And— —having studied the Evangelists' Window facing the family pew— And whether cows have wings. A child's natural curiosity leads them to ask all sorts of questions, including absurd ones, but adults typically respond sternly or evasively. _Illustrates the inquisitive instinct and how it is often repressed by adults._ > I preach to you that the base of all Literature, of all Poetry, of all Theology, is one, and stands on one rock: the very highest Universal Truth is something so simple that a child may understand it. The fundamental truth underlying literature, poetry, and theology is so simple that even a child can grasp it. _Central thesis connecting child's understanding to universal truth._ > As Johnson said of Gray's 'Elegy,' it 'abounds with images which find a mirror in every mind, and with sentiments to which every bosom returns an echo.' Dr. Johnson praised Gray's Elegy for containing images and feelings that resonate universally with all people. _Supports the idea that great poetry speaks to universal human experience._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_reading_se/chapters/lecture-iv-children-s-reading-ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_reading_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_art_of_reading_se/chapters