How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas C. Foster
Justin Clinkscales Mrs. Mary Smith AP-EngLit 19 September 2017 How to Read Literature Like a Professor How to Read Literature Like a Professor, is a novel written by Thomas C. Foster for the sole purpose of Literary criticism. Foster covers a whole slew of literary devices, most notably symbolism, themes, motifs and tone. This novel is very much the breaking down of the blueprint that literature had taken on much earlier on in its existence, the novel contains many allusions towards Shakespeare, Greek Mythology, and even the Bible. As the title of the novel would suggest, it is essentially a deeper insight into reading and interpreting modern and classic literature like a professor. This novel is one that definitely develops …show more content…
Examples of this plot device include: Deformities (Which only carry significance in Literature), Seasons, Rain, Snow, etc. Deformities include Scars, a missing limb, and any other ailment that presents itself prominently on a given character. Often in stories if a character has a scar over his/her eye, it can indicate whether or not they're a villain or they had a mysterious/troubled past. A missing limb could mean that the characters been through a lot, that he/she is worn down, battered by whatever caused them to lose their arm or leg. A missing eye is in the same vein as a facial scar (especially with an eyepatch), it too can indicate a mysterious past or immediately announce the character as a bad guy. Rain is another Important topic within symbolism, in most stories rain can mean the Cleansing of a character, (similar to a baptism) but it can also mean the opposite. If it's raining in a story and the ground is muddy and the character slips and falls into it, that may very well be a metaphor for the characters problems catching up to them in a humiliating …show more content…
Flowers in bloom and bright colors always seem to represent Spring, a metaphorical time of birth/re-birth, Spring is one of the more favorable seasons. Grey skies, a cold breeze, and brown leaves are associated with Winter, a very gloomy and depressing season. One example of Winter being used in a form of Literature is in the song "California Dreamin" by The Mamas & The Papas the prime lyric being: "All the leaves are brown", "and the sky is grey"," I've been for a walk", "on a Winter's day" (Mamas & The Papas, California Dreamin') and so on. In literature, a character drowning is an indication of a re-birth, their life flashes before their eyes, they see god or what have you. If they come back from this experience alive they are a permanently changed person although more likely than not,
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
Nice To Read Literature Like A Professor Chapter 1 Summary
566 Words | 3 PagesAnalysis: Compare chapter 2:How to Read Literature Like a Professor-“Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion” to part two(chapter 11) of The Fountainhead. At the beginning of chapter 11 of The Fountainhead, it is December and the opening of one main building, the Cosmo-Slotnick building. Toohey wants to celebrate this occasion so he takes Keating out for dinner. Foster stated in How to Read Lliterature like a Professor, “Whenever people eat or drink together its communion (8).” Communion is the sharing or exchanging intimate thoughts or feelings.
Mike Bunn How To Read Like A Writer Summary
316 Words | 2 PagesIn “How to Read Like a Writer,” Mike Bunn states that the most important part of reading is to find the writers technique of writing. He begins by saying in order to understand the meaning of “How toRead Like a Writer,” is to identify the choices of the writer and if the techniques that is used is one you want to use yourself. Bunn continues to say that instead of obtaining the context you should find how the writer pieced the work together. Bunn brought up a poet named Allen Tate who says that there are two different ways of reading.
How To Read Literature Like A Professor, By Thomas C. Foster
488 Words | 2 PagesIn the beginning of Chapter ¬15 of How To Read Literature Like A Professor, Thomas C. Foster first introduces the very known fact that humans cannot fly. So if a human is able to in a piece of literature, it belongs to the categories he lists later on. However, the categorization is an superficial analyzation of flying. He introduces the history of flying and how humans have strived to defied the laws of gravity forever. Foster analyzes Morrison’s Song of Solomon and explain how when Solomon flew off to Africa it is an act of returning “home” and “casting off the chains of slavery on one level”(Foster 92).
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 PagesThomas Foster, a professor at the University of Michigan, taught literature and writing. He was born in West Cornfield, Ohio, and living in such a small town caused him to become very associated with books. In 2003, Foster published a book, How to Read Literature like a Professor, written in second person. The book is written as a guide for readers to know the parts of nonfiction books. It teaches young readers how to include important elements into their stories.
The Symbolism Of Crutchfield Hall
1311 Words | 6 PagesThat is why so many people recognized that the one dress and knew it was Sophia’s and that’s why James and Aunt freaked out and had thought Sophia returned.rain is also a piece of symbolism, it is a sign of bad days and that thing will not turn out. These three pieces of Symbolism play a big part in the story and make the readers think a little more about what this could actually be telling us in the future of the
Thomas Foster's 'Going After Cacciato'
734 Words | 3 PagesIn Chapter Five of How to Read Like a Professor, Thomas Foster’s purpose is to note how all stories ultimately relate with one another. Recurrences and patterns may be hard to notice at first, but once the reader has given the book enough thought and analyzing process, then these similarities are easier to spot. One example Foster brings up is Going After Cacciato written in 1978. Because the author, Tim O’Brien, is aware of his references to different authors, he uses shifting narrative forms to differentiate the reference to the actual plotline (Foster). In the novel, the protagonist’s mind often flashes back to also signal the narrative change.
Summary Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor For Kids By Thomas Foster
243 Words | 1 PagesAs Stated by the author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor For Kids, by Thomas Foster, authors use certain varieties of weather conditions in order to set a mood in the story that’s relevant to the scenario present. Foster explains this action as saying, “But an author doesn't have a quick shower of rain, or a flurry or snow, or a flood or a blizzard, for no reason at all (Foster, 59).” What the author is trying to remark is that authors don't put unnecessary weather unless it contributes to the plot or the mood, sometimes even using it as means of ivory. One example of weather being used in the movie clip from Toy Story is rain. The rain didn't start until Sid was just about the release a rocket outside with Buzz attached, which
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.
The Kite Runner Symbolism Essay
501 Words | 3 PagesWhen Hassan and Amir are playing together it’s sunny, “I can still see Hassan up in that tree, sunlight flickering through the leaves…” the sunlight is connected to the happiness surrounding the good time Hassan and Amir are having. (Hosseini, pg. 3) When Baba is diagnosed with cancer, it’s also raining, another representation of sadness. Finally, at the end of the book, when Sohrab isn’t speaking with anyone, it’s raining, “Sohrab stayed under the canopy for a moment, then stepped back out into the rain.” The rain just happens to cease, and after a little kite flying, Sohrab smiles. (Hosseini, pg. 365) “Hardly there.
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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