How To Read Literature Like A Professor Chapter 1 Summary
Mercedes Blanchard
Mrs. Mary Smith
AP Literature
20 September 2017
After reading and discussing How to Read Literature like a Professor, some of the many literary techniques Foster emphasized was Characters and their meaning, symbolism, and deformity. These three techniques really inspired me and pointed out certain characteristics and “clues” of the story that I otherwise would not have discovered previously. As I continued to read the book, I was compelled and even bewildered at the thought that I have missed so many hidden meanings in iconic works of writing. I came to the conclusion that literature is really a giant mystery and we readers are really just detectives trying to solve it.
To begin, Chapter 10 goes into depth on the types
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One of the main ideas mentioned was “physical deformities correlate with moral and spiritual deformities” (Foster, 133). In real life, people’s deformities go unnoticed, or are deemed unimportant. However in stories, characters who are deformed or have a disability are special. Authors don’t take the time to set a character apart for no reason. He used an example about bringing a blind man into a plot, and that the author will have to change the other characters and the plot so that they adapt to the man being blind. It takes a lot of work, so they are going to be special. This got my mind churning. I began to consider The Lion King, and how Scar, the evil brother, had a scar on his face. He was special. He was a villain, and his scar correlated with his twisted, jealous mindset. Foster uses the book Oedipus Rex, as an example. He explains that his parents feared the prophecy that he was going to kill his father, so they send him to the wilderness with bound feet to die. He lives and later accidentally kills his father, and marries his mother unknowingly, and when he finds out that his children are really his siblings, he blinds himself. Foster explains that this is a deformity that represents guilt and shame (Foster 134). At the end of this chapter, I racked my brain to recall the books I’ve read with characters that had deformities and how they impacted the book. I was enchanted at the
Comparing How To Read Literature Like A Professor And The Kite Runner
181 Words | 1 PagesBy reading “How to Read Literature like a Professor” and “The Kite Runner”, the reader is aided in his or her ability to understand the true meanings behind the text. One is able to decipher how the act of coming together to eat can mean anything from a simple meal with family, to an uncomfortable situation that leads to anger or stress in an individual character. The reader is able to understand the use of rain or other weather in a novel to transform the mood and tone of scene, or understand the cleansing or destructive qualities that weather may have on the overall plot of the story. The use of illness can be transformed, as it can lead to the reader discovering veiled means behind tuberculosis, cholera, a simple cold, or even cancers such
'How To Read Literature Like A Professor' By Thomas C. Foster
762 Words | 4 PagesIn the introduction of “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” , Thomas C. Foster focuses on the grammar of literature and the qualities of a professorial reader. He asserts that practise is crucial to learn how to read literature in a more rewarding way. In addition, he defines main elements of the context such as pattern , symbols, and conventions. The purpose of Foster appears to be informing students who is beginning to be introduced to literature. Although Foster’s style is slightly condescending, he utilizes the conventions of literature quite well, and mentions the arbitrariness of these conventions in a sensible way.
Summary Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas Foster
228 Words | 1 PagesIn Chapter 24 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas Foster claims that in order to understand the meaning of a work, the reader must read and analyze the text from the perspective from which it was written. In the first section of Chapter 24 Foster states that readers, in order to fully enjoy a piece of text must not take the information presented the way it was intended. Similarly readers may miss key points of what the author is attempting to say if they analyze the text with only today's culture in mind. Furthermore characters in literature are often old enough to have some prior experiences in life to make changes in their decisions, and grow. Characters in literature tend to have some prior experiences because it allows them
Analysis Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas C. Foster
856 Words | 4 PagesIn the first chapter of How To Read Literature Like A Professor, Thomas C. Foster begins with the idea that every trip is a quest. Foster theorizes that every trip must meet a certain five criteria to be considered a quest as well. Foster’s theory can be found in literature throughout the ages and into media today. Foster claims the quest always grows during the underlying adventure.
Quest Elements In 'How To Read Literature Like A Professor'
1357 Words | 6 PagesSamantha Gonzalez Ms. Turnquist English 9 Honors Period 6 8 November 2015 The Impact of a Quest During life, one of the most difficult tasks one is faced with is acquiring self-knowledge; this can sometimes be confused with the person one wants to be and strives to be, as opposed to learning who they truly are. The five quest elements in Thomas C. Foster’s book How to Read Literature Like a Professor includes a quester, a place to go, a stated reason to go, challenges and trials, and the real reason to go; which in this step ultimately results in gaining self-knowledge (4-5). Sammy, the main character from the short story A&P written by John Updike, and Rainsford, the main character from The Most Dangerous Game written by Richard Connell,
How To Read Literature Like A Professor Sparknotes
800 Words | 4 PagesHowever, people are blind to the fact that August is actually a wonderful person. This relates to chapter 14 of, How to Read Literature Like a Professor. In this chapter, Foster explains that there are many novels where there is a disfigured character who faces any challenges but are great people. This chapter greatly relates to Wonder. For example, throughout the whole book, August faces many challenges such as bullies and fake friends, however, none of them realize what a great person August actually is.
Read Literature Like A Professor Essay
967 Words | 4 PagesIn the novel How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C Foster elucidates the significance of sharing a meal with others, and how who is included in the communion directly clarifies what type of situation is occurring, whether it be peaceful or not. It is said that whenever people eat or drink together, it is considered to be a communion. In chapter one “Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion” Foster states that the most common assumption that readers make when contemplating the subject of communions is that they assume the gatherings are religious, however that is not always the case. Generally communions are situations where intimate thoughts and feelings are shared primarily because the process of eating is particularly a personal
How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas C. Foster
680 Words | 3 PagesBeing an expert in literature may seem like a rigorous task to complete, but when you put passion into the work anything is possible. In How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster it gives tips on how to analyze all types of reading like a expert. While learning how to be an expert in literature you possess skills along the way. In order to be an expert in literature you have to keep an open mind, practice, and know everything has a deeper meaning.
How To Read Literature Like A Professor Character Analysis
327 Words | 2 PagesIn Thomas C. Foster's How To Read Literature Like a Professor, he describes the setup of the adventure of the protagonist, dividing it into five parts: Our quester, a place to go, a stated reason to there, challenges and trials, and the real reason to go. A protagonist must experience all of these things in order to accomplish their goals and learn their lessons. In The Secret Life of Bees, Lily Owens, the main character, must encounter these things in order to unlock the mystery of what really happened to her mother the night she was killed, in addition to learning about the passion of writing and telling stories, the dangers and foolishness of racism, and female power. Our quester, Lily, is a fourteen year old girl with a passion for writing.
Symbolism In How To Read Literature Like A Professor
643 Words | 3 PagesIn How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster teaches readers the meanings behind commonly used symbols, themes, and motifs. Many readers of all ages use this book as a guide to understanding messages and deeper meanings hidden in novels. The deeper literary meanings of various symbols in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale are explained in How to Read Literature Like a Professor. By using Foster’s book, readers can better understand the symbols in The Handmaid’s Tale.
The Scarlet Letter How To Read Literature Like A Professor
863 Words | 4 PagesHow does How To Read Literature Like A Professor applies to every piece of literature? This novel is written by Thomas Foster and he gives the better understanding on many things, including patterns, symbols, and other literary devices. He helps the reader to gain knowledge on how to recognize each small detail of the story. This novel makes the connection with The Scarlet Letter and makes it easier to comprehend. The Scarlet Letter is written by Nathaniel Hawthorne; this novel is about Hester Prynne, who is a young and beautiful woman and committed adultery with town’s minister, Reverend Dimmesdale.
Milkman And Pilate In Song Of Solomon
1226 Words | 5 PagesWithin the novel “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison, physical deformity is a commonly touched upon subject for both Milkman and Pilate. These physical deformities bring great changes upon their lives, even if the deformities are minor, or in ones own head. The deformity which Milkman is afflicted with involves his one leg being slightly shorter than the other, with him being the only one to notice it. Pilate is almost the opposite: she has a missing navel, which she seems to not care about whatsoever, but attracts great attention from everyone else. These deformities make the characters feel outcast from society, or not compareable to others, therefore scuplting their characters throughout the novel.
Summary Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas Foster
336 Words | 2 PagesIn the thirteenth chapter of Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Foster asserts that “nearly all writing is political” (118). To begin the chapter, Foster states that he hates political writings which are solely one minded, programmatic and root for a single cause. These novels, poems and plays ー which are more reports on the authors ideal culture ー “don’t travel well, don’t age well, and generally aren’t much good in their own time and place” (116). Political works which are more in depth, have several differing viewpoints and even are disguised with stories are, in Foster’s eyes, much more interesting. Furthermore, writers are people who commonly take great interests in the world around them.
How To Read Literature Like A Professor Analysis
777 Words | 4 PagesBehind each movie lies the meaningful aspects and significant features worth noticing. All movies and books can be carefully examined and interpreted. Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor provides a new view on interpreting literature. In the novel, Foster identifies and analyzes common patterns, themes, and motifs found in literature, many of which are also present in Disney’s film, Maleficent. This movie showcases several of his ideas, including quests, flight, geography, and symbolism.
How To Read Literature Like A Professor Chapter 1 Analysis
527 Words | 3 PagesHow to Read Literature Like a professor chapter1 In the first chapter of How to Read Literature Like a professor author Thomas C. Foster discusses how almost every story has some type of quest, the title of chapter is “ Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It’s Not)” he clearly alludes to the fact that the chapter is about the quest aspect of a story and its significance. As the chapter developed Foster began to cover the essentials of a quest and the purpose behind a quest, according to him there are five significant aspects of a quest “(a) a quester, (b) a place to go, (c) a stated reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials en route, and (e) a real reason to go there. He then expands of each of these things.
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