The Saunterers

Reading stories and novels, in my view, is very much akin to the 18th-century Romantic idea of sauntering — a slow, contemplative walk through nature, seen as a way to connect on a profound emotional level. The freedom of slow reading, likewise, allows students and instructors to engage deeply and emotionally with texts, much like Romantic writers and poets did when responding to nature. Their relationship was intimate — why shouldn’t ours with literature be just as close?  Given enough time and space, the study of literature can be approached with a sense of exploration, curiosity, and a genuine desire to delve into the layers of meaning and feeling within a story. 

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Just as Romantics found inspiration in the beauty and grandeur of nature, students can find inspiration in the rich literary landscapes. Sauntering through a text involves more than just surface-level reading; it requires pausing, shifting perspective, reflecting, and emotionally engaging with different aspects of a story. I reemphasize: literary analysis — or reading stories more broadly — should not be a formal exercise for young readers; instead, students at the foundation level should enjoy the feeling of meandering along a thoughtful path, appreciating the nuances of perspectival shifts and the feelings associated with this constant change. At the YMS Liberal Arts Saunterer Level, students and instructors pause together at various points along a path to consider the intricacies of character development, plot twists, symbolism woven into the narrative, and other elements that make a story compelling and inspiring. Most importantly, readers experience the emotions that good stories evoke. 

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In this approach, slow reading becomes a journey of discovery and a means of finding connections. It encourages a more personal engagement with the page, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity inherent in literature. If nature can elicit a profound emotional and intellectual response, then literature, too, can be a powerful source of reflection and discovery for those who approach it with a “sauntering mindset.” Upon arriving at the end of a path, readers gain a deeper understanding of the story and look back to see the broader shape of the journey they've taken. This is the way I read, always. 

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C.L. Alexander Lee