A Reader's Encounter with the Book

Being and Nothingness

This thread follows how reading appears as action, how the book directs the reader toward an unfinished whole, and how reflection later makes it an object.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Opening the Book Opening the Book from "Being and Nothingness". Opening the Book Directed Activity Reading is consciousness of the book, not an inner collection of words.

Opening the Book from "Being and Nothingness". Opening the Book Directed Activity Reading is consciousness of the book, not an inner collection of words.

Opening the Book Directed Activity Reading is consciousness of the book, not an inner collection of words. Attention is absorbed in meaning beyond the present line. Practical Engagement The reader's body and tools remain implicit as the action proceeds through pages and sentences.

The Unread Pages The Unread Pages from "Being and Nothingness". The Unread Pages Whole in Possibility Consciousness of reading includes pages already read and pages not yet opened. The book's meaning exceeds the instant.

The Unread Pages from "Being and Nothingness". The Unread Pages Whole in Possibility Consciousness of reading includes pages already read and pages not yet opened. The book's meaning exceeds the instant.

The Unread Pages Whole in Possibility Consciousness of reading includes pages already read and pages not yet opened. The book's meaning exceeds the instant. Temporal Structure The reader is already ahead of the current sentence, while the task's past remains part of the activity.

A Sentence to Be Written A Sentence to Be Written from "Being and Nothingness". A Sentence to Be Written Future Exigency A line of writing can appear as an unfinished sentence calling to be completed.

A Sentence to Be Written from "Being and Nothingness". A Sentence to Be Written Future Exigency A line of writing can appear as an unfinished sentence calling to be completed.

A Sentence to Be Written Future Exigency A line of writing can appear as an unfinished sentence calling to be completed. Its meaning organizes present movements of pen and hand. Action The future work is not a representation stored in the mind; it is a project shaping the act.

Reflection Makes an Object

Reflection Makes an Object From Flow to Psyche When the reader reflects, the lived activity can become a psychic object with states and duration. Reflection changes what it takes as its object. Distance The once-absorbed reading is now considered from a point of view, though the reflective act remains part of the same temporal life.

The Book's Meaning Revisited The Book's Meaning Revisited from "Being and Nothingness". The Book's Meaning Revisited Reinterpretation A later project can change the significance of a book without changing its words.

The Book's Meaning Revisited from "Being and Nothingness". The Book's Meaning Revisited Reinterpretation A later project can change the significance of a book without changing its words.

The Book's Meaning Revisited Reinterpretation A later project can change the significance of a book without changing its words. The reader's present ends reorganize what has already been read. Ongoing Relation Reading remains an encounter between a concrete object and a freedom that exceeds each completed interpretation.

Part Two, Chapter One, discussion of reading consciousness

Part Two, Chapter One, Section IV

Part One, Chapter One, discussion of action and projects

Part Two, Chapter Two, Section III

Part Four, Chapter One, discussion of interpretation and choice