Have you ever pondered your ability to read a book, maybe not, but Thomas Foster will make you wonder. In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster gives readers insight on how to recognize symbols, irony, biblical elements, and archetypes, as well as many other hidden details in works of literature.
For instance, Foster explains in chapter twelve that everything is a symbol, being able to identify and interpret them is up to the reader. Foster proclaims, “Everything is a symbol of something, it seems, until proven otherwise” (Foster 15). The author continues to use symbolism in other chapters as well, such as Christ figures, weather, rivers and much more. Foster says, “Seriously, what do you think it stands for, because that’s …show more content…
Irony is something other than what is expected and Foster informs us of other literary elements were irony can triumph in the beginning. He proclaims, “irony trumps everything” (Foster 235). Nothing else matters when irony is involved, such as symbols, plots, and themes, the authors use irony to conflict the reader 's expectations. Although, “irony doesn’t work for everyone,” (Foster 244) says Foster, many people cannot comprehend the ironic situations conflicting the author’s purpose for it. Irony is a literary element that needs explanation and Foster does an amazing job telling us to just “Listen” (Foster 244). Understanding irony allows the reader to understand the point the author is trying to make and overall getting us caught up in the suspenseful plot …show more content…
Every work contains some elements from somewhere else, authors don 't purposely copy other ideas, but the idea has been used before in some matter, which most authors know this. Many readers can’t make the connection between different stories, which disadvantages them from readers who can see the similarities and how the author used the idea to match his own. Foster proclaims, “What readers sometimes don’t notice in their involvement with the story (and it is a great story) is that virtually everything in there is cribbed from somewhere else” (Foster 29). Although there is no such thing as an original work it does not mean the literary work is still not intriguing and fun to read, it is just up to the readers to experience the story and look out for patterns and recurrences to benefit them in the
For instance, Foster explains in chapter twelve that everything is a symbol, being able to identify and interpret them is up to the reader. Foster proclaims, “Everything is a symbol of something, it seems, until proven otherwise” (Foster 15). The author continues to use symbolism in other chapters as well, such as Christ figures, weather, rivers and much more. Foster says, “Seriously, what do you think it stands for, because that’s …show more content…
Irony is something other than what is expected and Foster informs us of other literary elements were irony can triumph in the beginning. He proclaims, “irony trumps everything” (Foster 235). Nothing else matters when irony is involved, such as symbols, plots, and themes, the authors use irony to conflict the reader 's expectations. Although, “irony doesn’t work for everyone,” (Foster 244) says Foster, many people cannot comprehend the ironic situations conflicting the author’s purpose for it. Irony is a literary element that needs explanation and Foster does an amazing job telling us to just “Listen” (Foster 244). Understanding irony allows the reader to understand the point the author is trying to make and overall getting us caught up in the suspenseful plot …show more content…
Every work contains some elements from somewhere else, authors don 't purposely copy other ideas, but the idea has been used before in some matter, which most authors know this. Many readers can’t make the connection between different stories, which disadvantages them from readers who can see the similarities and how the author used the idea to match his own. Foster proclaims, “What readers sometimes don’t notice in their involvement with the story (and it is a great story) is that virtually everything in there is cribbed from somewhere else” (Foster 29). Although there is no such thing as an original work it does not mean the literary work is still not intriguing and fun to read, it is just up to the readers to experience the story and look out for patterns and recurrences to benefit them in the