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‘What is a Good Book?’ is the fifth essay in the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words textbook. This essay discusses the difference between superficial, popular reading materials and truly valuable books that offer lasting knowledge and inspiration. Ruskin explores what defines the effort needed to understand profound writing, and the qualities that make a book worthy of lifelong reading and respect. This blog offers an overall summary, key highlights, themes, and critical points from the essay to help students in effective revision. You can also download a free PDF for quick exam revision.
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words
NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Essay 5: What is a Good Book?
Here we provide the NCERT notes for Class 11 English Woven Words Essay 5: What is a Good Book?, covering author insights, detailed summary, themes, and the theme of the essay.
About the Author and Key Highlights
John Ruskin was a prominent art critic and social thinker, known for his profound reflections on
the nature of art and literature. In ‘What is a Good Book?’, he articulates the difference between ephemeral written materials, like letters and newspapers, and books intended to preserve wisdom and truth across time. The essay highlights the personal and intellectual commitment demanded to truly grasp a good book’s essence and underscores the idea of books as companions in an elite dialogue across generations.
Synopsis of the Essay
Ruskin begins by contrasting the transient ‘books of the hour’ with real books that aim for permanence. While ephemeral writings may be useful or entertaining, they do not constitute true books. True books are written to preserve a unique truth or insight the author has discovered, intended to endure beyond the moment. Ruskin urges readers to approach good books with dedication, reading carefully and seeking deeper meanings hidden within. He portrays the community of great books’ authors and readers as an ‘aristocracy’ open only to those who earn their place through honest effort and love for wisdom. Ultimately, a good book requires patient study and an earnest desire to be taught, promising intellectual and moral wealth beyond superficial reading.
Main Characters in the Essay
Understand the key figures who drive the narrative:
- John Ruskin (Narrator): The reflective and critical voice who guides readers through the definition and value of a ‘good book’ and emphasises the discipline needed to appreciate literature.
- The ‘books of the hour’: Represent the transient literature of current interest that lacks enduring value.
- The ‘aristocracy of the past’: The timeless fellowship of great thinkers and authors whose works demand thoughtful reading and open dialogue across ages.
Also Read: NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 7: Glory at Twilight (Free PDF)
Themes in the Essay
The essay explores several significant themes, explained below in simple terms:
- Ephemeral vs. Enduring Literature: Distinguishes between transient writings and books crafted for permanence and lasting truth.
- The Nature of True Reading: Emphasises active, patient reading involving careful attention to language and meaning.
- Intellectual Meritocracy: Portrays literature as an elite community open only through merit and genuine effort, not wealth or fame.
- The Transformative Power of Books: Shows books as sources of wisdom that challenge and change the reader’s perspective over time.
- Language and Precision: Stresses understanding words accurately to unlock the full value of a book.
Literary Devices in the Essay
The narrator uses various literary devices to enhance the narrative:
- Contrast: Between ‘books of the hour’ and true books; superficial reading vs. deep understanding.
- Metaphor: Reading as mining and refining gold symbolises the challenging effort required to discover insights.
- Personification: Books and authors are presented as living companions and gatekeepers of wisdom.
- Allusion: References to ‘aristocracy’ and ‘Faubourg St. Germain’ underline the elitism of true literary companionship.
- Repetition and Parallelism: Used to stress the need for diligent, syllable-by-syllable reading.
Class 11 English Essay 5: What is a Good Book? Summary
The essay What is a Good Book? by John Ruskin discusses the difference between superficial, popular reading materials and truly valuable books that offer lasting knowledge and inspiration. Below is a detailed summary of the key points clearly and concisely:
- Books of the Hour vs. True Books
Ruskin explains that many printed works (letters, newspapers, travel accounts) serve as pleasant or useful communication but are not truly books intended for permanence. Real books are written to preserve unique truths discovered by their authors.
- Purpose and Permanence of Books
A true book records what the author sees as the best and lasting part of their knowledge, meant to outlive them. Such books are honest, benevolent, and inspired, representing the deepest share of human wisdom.
- The Aristocracy of Literature
Ruskin describes the fellowship of readers and writers of great books as an aristocracy open only to those who deserve it through merit, sincerity, and a fondness for learning. Wealth or social standing offers no entry.
- The Demand of True Reading
Reading a good book requires patient and detailed attention, down to letters and syllables. This rigorous engagement distinguishes education from mere literacy and transforms the reader through understanding.
- The Reward of Effort
Books hide their deepest meanings not out of spite but as a test, offering rewards only to readers willing to work hard, refine their minds, and persevere through complexity, much like miners extracting precious gold.
Moral of the Essay
Below are the key moral lessons from the essay:
- Books are more than printed words; they are vessels of enduring knowledge and wisdom meant to be treasured and studied carefully.
- True reading is a disciplined, rewarding pursuit that demands patience and genuine love for learning.
- Literary companionship crosses time and space, open solely to those who seek knowledge sincerely and intelligently.
- Precision in language is crucial; understanding words and their meanings is foundational to education.
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Woven Words’ here!
| Essay 1: My Watch |
| Essay 2: My Three Passions |
| Essay 3: Patterns of Creativity |
| Essay 4: Tribal Verse |
| Essay 6: The Story |
Explore Notes of Other NCERT Class 11 Subjects
| Geography | History | Political Science | Psychology | Sociology |
FAQs
Books of the hour provide fleeting information or entertainment, while good books preserve unique, lasting truths meant for deep study and reflection.
Because extracting the true meaning from good books is challenging and requires effort, patience, and proper tools, like a miner extracting precious gold from rock.
It is the timeless fellowship of great minds accessible only to those who earn their place through merit and sincere love for knowledge, not through social status or wealth.
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