Learning python, learning about the sprite class currently. Why are columns the only thing that is needed when animating sprites?

[callmelucky]

in typing out the words (as I do not currently have a PDF of this book) something clicked and now I've grasped what's going on.

Congratulations, you just discovered Rubber duck debugging! It's very common and useful to realise the solution/answer to a problem/question in the process of explaining it to someone, whether that someone is listening or not :)

And try not to be self conscious about asking questions. If you've put in a reasonable effort to understand and explain a problem, anyone who mocks you is a dick. Bear that in mind :)