Sentence Lesson 

Photo: KHU Press & Communication (khupress.com)

What is the true meaning of reading the classics—an endeavor akin to interpreting the universe? On July 10, Kyung Hee University Communication & Press published Sentence Lesson, a new book by Professor Lee Byung-soo of Humanitas College. Serving as a sequel to his previous work Verb Lesson, this book explores the dark emotions and human nature through classic literature, offering readers a new space for reflection.

Finding Guidance Through Life’s Hardships with Facing Inner Shadows

Sentence Lesson was designed to promote the value of reading classics while helping readers gain a deeper understanding of challenging literary works. Prof. Lee highlighted the practical difficulties, stating, "Reading the classics is essential to enriching life regardless of time or place, but advanced reading—which involves grasping various backgrounds and contexts within a work while staying engaged—is by no means easy for students or the general public." The book therefore aims to make this kind of advanced reading more accessible to students and general readers.

With this challenge in mind, Sentence Lesson takes a different approach from his previous book, Verb Lesson, which shed light on the bright and positive aspects of humanity through the classics. This new work instead focuses on complex and dark emotions such as anxiety, desire, and jealousy. Prof. Lee explained the reason for this focus: "Our lives are not always happy, and life is a continuous journey of navigating the high and low waves of misfortune." The book aims to help readers project themselves into the despairing moments experienced by literary characters such as poverty, separation, sin, and death. In doing so, readers can find practical guidance for overcoming present difficulties and moving toward a better tomorrow.

The Appeal of Reading Classics Through Verbs

The most distinctive aspect of this book is that it approaches 18 masterpieces of British, American, and European literature by matching them with specific verbs such as "to choose," "to envy," and "to confess." Prof. Lee explained, "Because the themes and lessons conveyed by authors differ and each reader feels differently, readers sometimes lose sight of what they should actually focus on among the vast storylines in a book of several hundred pages." In other words, this reading method uses a single verb as a central theme, helping readers avoid getting lost in lengthy classic works and instead focus more closely on thought and contemplation.

For example, Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, which Prof. Lee cited as the work that resonated most deeply with him while writing, is read through the lens of "to desire." Rather than attributing the protagonist’s tragic end simply to failed love, the book focuses on financial ruin brought on by endless vanity and uncontrolled “desire.” In doing so, it highlights the painful consequences of allowing desire to grow unchecked.

Reading, Reflecting, and the Role of the Humanities in the AI Era

Reading the classics, Prof. Lee argues, is an act of interpreting the world. In discussing Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose through the verb “to read,” he cited the phrase, “To read is to interpret the universe.” He explained that reading goes beyond merely understanding written text and involves contemplating the principles of all creation and the order of the universe. Prof. Lee views this capacity for interpretation and reflection as especially important for people living in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. He stressed that as AI increasingly produces information on our behalf, what people need is not shallow information but “deeper reflection.” Referring to Philosopher’s Square, also known as Pensées Plaza, on the Global Campus, he added that human beings are inherently contemplative and that technology without humanistic imagination risks becoming merely a tool for capital.

Ultimately, Sentence Lesson serves as a guide to confronting human vulnerabilities and inner shadows through the unique lens of "verbs," helping readers navigate complex classical works while developing the capacity for deep thought that is increasingly important in the AI era. Prof. Lee expressed his hope that students would use Verb Lesson and Sentence Lesson as personal compasses to "discover good books meaningful to themselves, follow high-quality prose, and enjoy moments of deep and joyful reflection." Beyond a simple literary guide, Sentence Lesson serves as a timely reminder of the enduring power of the humanities—offering young minds a quiet moment to pause, reflect on themselves, and cultivate the inner strength needed to navigate an ever-changing world.