As a person who finds it difficult to paint mental pictures according to the visual description when reading literature, reading excerpts from Mr. Palomar was an eye-opening experience. I found the description of Mr. Palomar’s observation of a moon in the afternoon especially beautiful, since it is an object that I frequently encounter on a regular basis but did not give much thought about. The way Calvino depicted the slow transition of the hues of the afternoon sky, and how the once pale and fragile moon gains illumination was so vivid and colorful. Reading this passage made me realize that figuring out the exact words to describe a scene could enable a person to relive and understand the scene in a more vivid way. Perhaps this is the reason Calvino is concerned about the haphazard use of language- as a person’s understanding of the world is based on language, if language is used in a loose and careless way, a person’s understanding of the world could be befuddled as well.

I agree with Ketaki’s point that Calvino’s observations in “Exactitude” from Six Memos from the Next Millennium about lack of precision in language could be easily applied to our current society, especially with the pervasion of digital media hindering people’s ability to communicate in precise language. However, I wondered if literature could be an antidote for this lack of precision if less and less people are reading literature. Reading and comprehending the exact meaning of a text requires as much practice and patience as acquiring the ability to express ideas or observations in exactitude. As Calvino stated, “We live beneath a continuous rain of images; the most powerful media do nothing but turn the world into images and multiply it with the kaleidoscopic play of mirrors.” (69) Calvino points out that people do not have to “distinguish form and meaning” or pay attention to “a wealth of possible meanings” when they observe images. However, in the digital era, people are more accustomed to images, memes, or cartoons that speak in a generic fashion, which blunts their ability to read between the lines, or even endure reading a long paragraph. I myself also feel as if I am losing the ability to focus on texts that are less plot-driven or sensational. Although literature might be the “Promised Land” of exact language, could it serve as an antidote if no one is willing to venture into that land?