Cognitive science clarifies Hugo’s image at the synaptic level. Stanislas Dehaene’s Reading in the Brain (2009) describes cortical recycling, where visual areas repurpose themselves to recognize letter patterns, while language regions map symbols to sound. Maryanne Wolf’s Proust and the Squid (2007) shows how these interactions slow thought just enough for reflection and empathy to form. Each decoded syllable is thus a measurable neural event: a brief coordination of perception, memory, and prediction. As these micro-firings repeat, pathways strengthen and the flame steadies—preparing the ground for effective instruction. [...]
