Oh, sorry if I sounded judgmental. I just meant that Cliff's notes gives you the highlights and someone's interpretation of the meaning, but you don't see how it actually makes you feel. And I've not read Austen or Bronte, so I can't tell you specifically what you miss there.
You didn't sound judgemental to me. My original post about the Cliff's Notes was rather vague, so I just wanted to clarify that I didn't use it for every literary work I was supposed to read. Just what I didn't want to. As a male HS student, I really didn't want to understand the feelings of an 18th century governess or all of that unrequited love.

Edit: Apparently I'm not reading very carefully today, this response actually addresses what you said, not what I thought I read. 

Hah, no biggie here. I'm posting on the fly half the time, so my posts can get away from me. That or cause confusion amongst the people that read/reply to them!
The Classics - general discussion / survey
30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
- 1501 Views
My own answers.
30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
- 1082 Views
Re: My own answers.
30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
- 1108 Views
Powdered Soup!
30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
- 1130 Views
Re: Powdered Soup!
30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
- 1368 Views
Re: Powdered Soup!
30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
- 1054 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
- 1073 Views
Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
- 1066 Views
Cliff's notes
05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM
- 1129 Views
Re: Cliff's notes
05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM
- 1338 Views
Re: Cliff's notes
06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM
- 1132 Views
It's cool.
06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM
- 1185 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value.
30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
- 1059 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
- 1078 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
- 1040 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM
- 901 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
- 580 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow.
30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
- 901 Views
That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately.
30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
- 983 Views

Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
- 578 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
- 619 Views
I study them, apparently.
30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
- 1155 Views
I wish I could do that.
30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
- 1057 Views
Less fun than you'd think.
30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
- 931 Views

More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it.
01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
- 1101 Views

Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
- 1113 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through.
01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
- 1136 Views

Good survey.
30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
- 1130 Views

Agreed. edited
30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
- 1088 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful
30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
- 1022 Views

Sometimes.
30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
- 1048 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole.
30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
- 1068 Views

I generally do.
30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
- 1050 Views
Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
- 1228 Views

Re: Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
- 1052 Views

Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
- 1158 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
- 1015 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
- 1093 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
- 1041 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
- 1155 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
- 853 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
- 1060 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
- 1212 Views