Charlotte Mason Reflection: A Test for Delightful Literature

As I was reading from “Ourselves” by Charlotte Mason this week, I was struck by a section where she gives us a couple of tests to determine if what we are reading is truly Literature (with a capital L). This is the second test.

The thing is, to keep your eye upon words and wait to feel their force and beauty; and, when words are so fit that no other words can be put in their places, so few that none can be left out without spoiling the sense, and so fresh and musical that they delight you, then you may be sure that you are reading Literature, whether in prose or poetry. A great deal of delightful literature can be recognized only by this test.

As many already know, Miss Mason wrote this volume of her homeschooling series for teenagers who were preparing to launch into the world beyond the education their governesses were giving them. This volume is proving to be beneficial for myself as I read through it as well.

★ What This Means for My Own Reading

I don’t have to be convinced to read, but sometimes I do have to remind myself to read only that which is edifying and evokes a sense of beauty. In short, I need to remember to restrain myself from reading anything other than Delightful Literature.

I don’t believe Delightful Literature can only be found in the classics, though. In fact, some classics I have read I would never have considered Delightful if someone had not told me they were.

I do believe there is a reason that “Little Women”, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, and “Anne of Green Gables” are staples in the classic genre – they have the fresh, musical sense that all readers, young and old, can recognize even if they are reading classics for the first time.

★ Delightful + New?

However, modern writing can be just as impactful. And I am not talking about the books that use shocking content or tragedies to pull the worst emotions out of us. I mean the books (or authors) that have the ability to transport us to a place of elegance, of beauty, regardless of what they are about.

Joanna Davidson Politano can do this for historical fiction, Paullett Golden can do this for fun yet deep (and clean) historical romance, Christina Baehr can do this for fantasy, and Malory Ford can do this for faith-filled characters.

★ How I Use This as a Parent

I want to expose my daughters to this beauty, this fresh and musical sense, as early and as often as possible. I started my 10-year-old’s life by reading the entire “Chronicles of Narnia” series out loud to her while she nursed.

We fell in love with Meg (yes, we love Meg the best) at the dinner table when I read “Little Women” to my older girls when they were just 8, 6, and 4.

Currently, we are laughing and gasping at the absurdities found in “Peter Pan” after enjoying the sweet and gentle story of Polly in “An Old-Fashioned Girl” (by Louisa May Alcott).

At bedtime we opt for more contemporary literature and have enjoyed the “Little House on the Prairie” series as well as the “Heartwood Hotel” series by Kallie George. And my girls love to read for themselves the elegant fantastical tales written by Gail Carson Levine (author of “Ella Enchanted”).

★ Story + Prose

All of the above books illicit wonder, awe, or enjoyable emotions – such as laughter, a sense of home, or great friendships – not only through the stories but also through the prose. The words are strung together in beautiful ways, and we are learning together not only what a delightful story can be but also the most delightful ways in which a story can be told.

Don’t get me wrong, I still read fluff – or twaddle, if you will – once in a while. But the intention is to give my brain a break so that the next Delightful Read that I pick up will be even more lovely.

★ For Further Reflection

What is a book of Delightful Literature that you have read? Whether it is a classic or a modern author? What about it made it Delightful for you? Share in the comments!

For your journal: What about literature causes delight for me?

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