Umberto Eco's Tips on How to Read an Essay
Umberto Eco is renowned for his use of intertextuality in his works. It can be a quotation or a translation or an allusion, all of which provide meaning(s) on the text. The Italian's knowledge in medieval history is also evident in novels like "The Name of the Rose". This helped him gained a worldwide audience. Eco, who hails from Piedmont, wrote lots of essays from the 1970s to the 1990s, many of which were compiled and published.
Eco's few-day stay in a hotel in London turned into an amusing experience on costumer service. Exaggeration would take readers farther from the truth, but no one likes to hear about guests checking in the hotel. Unless the room rate is lower than the other hotels (in the British capital), then they might skip the part where the author describes the amenities in his room. "How to Travel with a Salmon" is one of his worthy works, the first page alluding to the current trend in tourism. Some may detect Eco's sarcasm, wondering about his stance on migrants. But he rather not reveal his political views in this particular piece.
Eco's other essays were no less entertaining. Let's have a look at some of them:
How to Take Intelligent Vacations (1981).This four-page essay poses an intriguing question: What book must you read during your holiday? Eco penned this during the time when Internet was nonexistent. Tablets replace paperbacks nowadays. Not a few prefer mobile phones. This would be alarming, if one is serious about it. However, the Italian doesn't have pretensions about a literate public. Not that most don't prefer to read on their spare time, but Voltaire might spoil a fun moment in a sun-kissed beach.
How to Eat in Flight (1987). The Italian's flight to Amsterdam seemed less than pleasant, after reading his experience on the economy class. A passenger's comfort (or discomfort) depends on a number of factors. The space (or the lack of). The food (being served). Fellow passengers. In Eco's case, it was the meal. Readers mustn't think too hard about his final thoughts, where the films of Luchino Visconti would come to mind. It was a surreal moment, a memorable trip.
How Not to Talk about Soccer (1988). Most countries consider football as their national sport. Some are enthusiastic about it, which the likes of Eco can't comprehend. Readers can't help but be amused, reminding them of his passion on anything related to the Middle Age. But how many people are interested in it? Chances are Eco can't find such a person in an airport. Most rather talk about FIFA, the World Cup in particular. Sport breaks barriers, even promote world peace. Not that this message is foreign to Eco, but he might have wished there are more academicians in public places.
