usually plural but singular or plural in construction a : any systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that juxtaposes opposed or contradictory ideas and usually seeks to resolve their conflict b : an intellectual exchange of ideas
Robert Scholes suggests reading should be 'a dialectical search for the truth' (623). Would you agree with Scholes? Why or why not? Provide a specific example to support your opinion."
(Turns out, I don't know what juxtaposes means. )
In all honesty, I have no idea what Mr. Scholes is saying. I can't seem to wrap my head around what we're actually being asked, so admitting ignorance and taking a shot in the dark seems to be my only option, aside from asking the teacher, but she seems a tad preoccupied at the moment. Assuming that Mr. Scholes is stating that reading is a search for the truth, by identifying and exchanging contradictory ideas to resolve conflict, I would wind up disagreeing without evidence to back his theory up. This is because when I personally read a book, it's for leisure, or something to keep me busy-looking in awkward social situations. When I read I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max, I didn't search for any kind of truth, except for what honestly may have happened to him in his situations. In the sense that said "truth" was the plot or construct of the book, then yes, Scholes seems on the right track. To comprehend the plot and truck through a novel, there's generally an exchange of ideas and conflict within the story, unless you're reading the most boring book in the world. I wouldn't recommend doing that, though.
