The more discerning traveller

[Nonverbis]

The book is Upstream Proficiency by Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley.

Could you tell me why the definite article is used here? I would estimate an indefinite one here.

 

[emsr2d2]

We frequently use "the" + singular noun to refer to a specific group of people, rather than using no article and a plural noun.

This book will appeal to even the most discerning reader.
This forum is useful even for the advanced learner.
This map will lead the adventurous traveller to some hidden gems.

 

[Nonverbis]

This book will appeal to even the most discerning reader.

I my opinion, this has nothing to do with this case. The rule here is that "the most" determins the noun, distinguishes it from any other nouns. The best, the most - there is an aspect of uniqueness here. This case is understandable to me.

This forum is useful even for the advanced learner.
This map will lead the adventurous traveller to some hidden gems.

These examples really similar to my case. I seem to grasp your idea. But will the indefinite article be inappropriate here?

In my opinion an indefinite article classifies nouns. So:

This forum is useful even for an advanced learner.

To me this means that there is a person who belongs to the class of advanced learners.

Am I wrong?

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

These examples are similar to mine.

I don't understand what "I seem to grasp your idea" means.

Say:

Would the indefinite article be appropriate here?

(In addition to there being a reason to use the definite article (the) in the original, there is also a reason not to use the indefinite article (an).

 

[Nonverbis]

Could you tell me what are the rasons both to use the deifinite article and not to use the indefinite one here?

For me this is a case of classification: any reader belonging to the class of discerning readers.

And to my mind, the definite article when we say about general meaning of nouns are used when we cannot say "any".

Example:

The African elephant is taller than the Indian.

In this case we can't say "any African elephant".


But, returning to our case, I can't understand anything.

 

[jutfrank]

In this case, you can use an indefinite article instead of a definite one:

... that may lead a more discerning traveller to realise ...
... that may lead the more discerning traveller to realise ...

 

[Tdol]

You could say:

The discerning traveller.
The more discerning traveller.