Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis

This final chapter deals with a theory of reading. The question posed is how seriously should we take reading? Proust at 28 had done nothing with his life and his novel writing was going nowhere. At this point, he discovered the literature of John Ruskin. Proust was enamored of Ruskin's careful observations of brooks, statuary, and many other things. So moved was Proust that he became a Ruskin scholar. Proust translated several Ruskin works into French and when Ruskin died in 1900, Proust wrote a eulogy and several essays. It was clear, then, that reading was extremely valuable for Proust. Ruskin helped Proust to open his eyes and to discover valuable parts of the human experience.

Proust appeared to be heading for a life in academia. However, he stopped short. Proust became dissatisfied with relying on not just Ruskin, but upon any other...