Bartholomae and Petrosky in the introduction to "Ways of Reading," illustrate the correlations a reader has with the information that is being conceived. This means one should be guided by his own impressions as they read, without asking for other opinions as confirmation. The reader should belittle the idea of seeking "experts" to resolve the issue of what the essay really meant. "Is not what it means to the experts but what it means to you as a reader willing to take the chance to construct a reading. You can be the authority,,,,you dont have to turn to others (B&P p.8)." In other words, form your own ideas and explanations, what does it mean to you. Perhaps this can relate to Percy when he talks about "experts", and the "complex man." These concepts could apply to the reader that Bartholomae and Petrosky are describing. The "complex man" is someone who can look past the "experts" and form a path of his own, expressing his own opinions. "In a sense, he exploits his fellow tourists; he stands on their shoulders to see the canyon (Percy p.567)." This applies to the strong readers who "do not need experts to explain these stories and essays (B&P p.9)." Like the tourist who does no

To gain control over complex material one might follow a process called "reading with and against the grain" which is introduced by Bartholomae and Petrosky (p.10). This type of reading requires a different style of thought and a more difficult, detailed analysis of the text. To "read with the grain" is to comply with the authors beliefs, see it through their piont of view, take control of the text. While "reading against the grain" is to be judgemental of the authors work, to ask questions and dispute their arguments. But will this fully gain "title" for all readers? Maybe. What would Percy and his style of academic argument think? Could Bartholomae and Petrosky be acting as the experts here; telling the readers how to read and writers how to write? Are we all experiencing a loss of "title" unknowingly? According to Percy, "The surrender of title is so complete that it never even occurs to one to reassert title (p.571)." Could listening to "experts" cause a "loss of sovereignty" which never allows us to "reassert title"? As Percy states, "A reader may surrender sovereignty over that which has been written about, just as a consumer may surrender sovereignty over a thing which has been theorized (p.571)." This loss of independence is yielded to a group of particular knowers, either it be writers or tour-guides. Once something is read or heard, we believe it, and trust the source. It is normal to give our beliefs to the "experts" and utilize their information, but Percy dissagrees.

If we look at the educational experience through Percy's ideas, how would one gain knowledge in a subject? The teachers are so called "experts", who according to Percy cannot fullfill the necessities of the student. "For their is nothing the educator can do to provide for this nee

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Approximate Word count = 1206
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)