Katy Gill-Floyd
Mrs. Smith
AP Literature
20 September 2017
Title
“We – as readers or writer, tellers or listeners – understand each other, we share knowledge of the structures of our myths, we comprehend the logic of symbols, largely because we have access to the same swirl of story. We have only to reach out into the air and pluck a piece of it” (Foster 132).
How to Read Literature Like a Professor is a collection of literary themes and devices that are aimed to help better a reader’s understanding of the meaning of any text. Thomas C. Foster, through short stories and examples, displays techniques on how to identify when, and if, a literary text has hidden nuances. Reading through the critical lens of a professional is a crucial …show more content…
Disabilities can include “physical marks”, like “scars” and “deformities” (Foster 133), blindness, and illness. All three disabilities have their own general meaning. A scar, for instance, can mean that the character is someone of importance. Foster spoke of Harry Potter and his unique scar. When people see him, they think of how he received it and why he received it. The scar draws attention toward a character. Authors who write this type of symbolism create a non-dismissive quirk that makes a character important. Another example used by Foster is scoliosis in Richard III. Foster states that Richard III, as a person, is “morally and spiritually twisted” (Foster 133). His scoliosis back resembles his personality – twisted. Symbolism of this matter is a literal translation and often not noticed in works. Throughout the disabilities chapters, Foster explains, “sameness doesn’t present us with metaphorical possibilities” (Foster 133), only differences, and to highlight those differences is what makes readers think – Is this important? Why would that be …show more content…
When an author sets a scene in a certain place geographically, with a specific season and weather, it is not because they just felt like it, it is because it is symbolic. The reasons for these choices comes back to meanings. If the character will be facing trouble have them go south. If the character is starting a family with happiness and joy, have the story take place in the spring. If the character is sad, have the walk through rain. If they are angry, have a thunderstorm going on. Symbolisms with geography, weather, and seasons, as Foster states, “matters” (Foster 115). The author wants you to interpret, feel something when reading.
Throughout How to Read Literature Like a Professor Foster has consistently mentioned symbolism. The reoccurring theme. Through the use of anecdotal examples, Foster explains how, where, when, and why a reader should look for symbolisms. When reading, question everything because everything has a meaning. This book is collection of all things literature hides, and even this book employed techniques and established symbolisms. Literature, as so uniquely shown by Foster, is “a form of play” and has no rules (Foster
Mrs. Smith
AP Literature
20 September 2017
Title
“We – as readers or writer, tellers or listeners – understand each other, we share knowledge of the structures of our myths, we comprehend the logic of symbols, largely because we have access to the same swirl of story. We have only to reach out into the air and pluck a piece of it” (Foster 132).
How to Read Literature Like a Professor is a collection of literary themes and devices that are aimed to help better a reader’s understanding of the meaning of any text. Thomas C. Foster, through short stories and examples, displays techniques on how to identify when, and if, a literary text has hidden nuances. Reading through the critical lens of a professional is a crucial …show more content…
Disabilities can include “physical marks”, like “scars” and “deformities” (Foster 133), blindness, and illness. All three disabilities have their own general meaning. A scar, for instance, can mean that the character is someone of importance. Foster spoke of Harry Potter and his unique scar. When people see him, they think of how he received it and why he received it. The scar draws attention toward a character. Authors who write this type of symbolism create a non-dismissive quirk that makes a character important. Another example used by Foster is scoliosis in Richard III. Foster states that Richard III, as a person, is “morally and spiritually twisted” (Foster 133). His scoliosis back resembles his personality – twisted. Symbolism of this matter is a literal translation and often not noticed in works. Throughout the disabilities chapters, Foster explains, “sameness doesn’t present us with metaphorical possibilities” (Foster 133), only differences, and to highlight those differences is what makes readers think – Is this important? Why would that be …show more content…
When an author sets a scene in a certain place geographically, with a specific season and weather, it is not because they just felt like it, it is because it is symbolic. The reasons for these choices comes back to meanings. If the character will be facing trouble have them go south. If the character is starting a family with happiness and joy, have the story take place in the spring. If the character is sad, have the walk through rain. If they are angry, have a thunderstorm going on. Symbolisms with geography, weather, and seasons, as Foster states, “matters” (Foster 115). The author wants you to interpret, feel something when reading.
Throughout How to Read Literature Like a Professor Foster has consistently mentioned symbolism. The reoccurring theme. Through the use of anecdotal examples, Foster explains how, where, when, and why a reader should look for symbolisms. When reading, question everything because everything has a meaning. This book is collection of all things literature hides, and even this book employed techniques and established symbolisms. Literature, as so uniquely shown by Foster, is “a form of play” and has no rules (Foster