How to read literature like a professor chapter notes. How to Read Literature Like a Professor Chapter 1 Summary 2022-11-01

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Reading literature like a professor involves approaching a text with a critical eye, considering the various layers of meaning and symbolism present within the work. In the book "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," author Thomas C. Foster guides readers through a series of literary techniques and concepts that can help them better understand and interpret literature.

One important concept outlined in the book is the idea of "archetypes." These are universal themes and characters that appear in literature across cultures and time periods. By recognizing and understanding these archetypes, readers can gain insight into the deeper meaning of a work. For example, the archetype of the "hero's journey" can be seen in many works, from ancient myths to modern novels. This archetype involves a hero who embarks on a journey, faces challenges and temptations, and ultimately achieves a goal or transforms in some way.

Another key idea in the book is the concept of "symbolism." Symbols are objects, characters, or events that represent something else, often on a deeper or more abstract level. For instance, a character's clothing or appearance may symbolize their social status or personality. By identifying and interpreting symbols in a work, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the themes and meaning of the text.

Foster also discusses the use of "foreshadowing," or hints and clues that suggest what is to come later in a work. By paying attention to these hints, readers can better understand the plot and themes of a work, and can also have a more enjoyable reading experience as they try to predict what will happen next.

Another literary technique discussed in the book is "irony," which involves a contrast between what is expected or stated and what actually occurs. Irony can take many forms, such as verbal irony (when a character says one thing but means the opposite), situational irony (when events turn out unexpectedly), or dramatic irony (when the audience knows more than the characters in a work). Understanding irony can help readers gain a deeper understanding of a work and its themes.

Overall, "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" provides readers with a set of tools and concepts that can help them approach literature with a more critical and analytical eye. By understanding archetypes, symbolism, foreshadowing, and irony, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the themes and meaning present in a work and can better appreciate the complexities and depth of literature.

How to Read Literature like a professor Notes Flashcards

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

. What is this similar to? He is highlighting that it is necessa. To unlock the richness of fictive works, stop reading literally and start reading with a literary eye. The mundane example is a story about a boy, Kip, going to the grocery store to get bread. She is thinking about his body in ways no one can imagine.

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How to Read Literature Like a Professor Chapter 20: …So Does Season Summary & Analysis

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

With every quest we gain new life experience and knowledge not previously known to ourselves. Of course he faces many challenges on his journey, such as finding love, but having to leave it behind. Complete the exercise on pages 265-266, following the directions exactly. . Foster brings a different meaning to reading a book and draws attention to the author and his or her intention. The story offers timeless lessons on parenting and tension between youthful recklessness and mature wisdom. Note:Another thing that helps you develop this skill is reading a wide variety of books, especially classics, because these have popularized most of the symbols we use today.

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How to Read Literature Like a Professor Chapter Summaries

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

This is a particularly apt tool for analyzing film -- for example, Star Wars, Cool Hand Luke, Excalibur, Malcolm X, Braveheart, Spartacus, Gladiator and Ben-Hur. He says his reason to go is that he must find his destiny and explore the vision from his dream about a treasure in Egypt. The politically fueled novels 1984, by George Orwell, and The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, both had instances where the authors were trying to convey their views, but did so in a way that paralleled the real world as to not make it completely obvious and off putting. Just like the story itself most often follows a pattern, so do certain characters, items and even words people use. .

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How to Read Literature Like a Professor Chapter 2 Summary

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

One or two get all the breaks; the rest exist to get them to the finish line. . Pg 8: Summary Communion is hard to write into a story. Foster is a retired professor of English at the University of Michigan-Flint. He argues that these creat.

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How to read literature like a professor_ childhealthpolicy.vumc.org

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

In exchange, they merely need to give up their soul. Consider the atmosphere it creates: dark, murky, isolating. The essentials of the vampire story: an older figure representing corrupt, outworn values; a young, preferably virginal female; a stripping away of her youth, energy, virtue; a continuance of the life force of the old male; the death or destruction of the young woman. All three books also contain some naive, sheltered girl who falls hopelessly in love with the man. Chapter 3 Thomas Foster explores the symbolism of monsters, ghosts, and specifically vampires. Chapter 15 -- Flights of Fancy Select a literary work in which flight signifies escape or freedom. Once again, Foster demonstrates how deep reading can illuminate important themes within a work of literature.


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How to Read LIterature Like A Professor

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

. . The author does this in order to advance the plot or thematically develop the story. Chapter 12 -- Is That a Symbol? However, Foster here highlights the connection between food and death; after all, humans have to eat because they are mortal, and thus elaborate meals are, in some sense, reminders of our shared mortality. Even the simplest daily activities of the protagonist could lead to something that is tied to the real reason to go to the final destination of the quest. .

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Book Notes: “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” by Thomas C. Foster — Mental Pivot

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

This is usually meant to show that even in destruction, there is a liberating power. Chapter 7 Thomas Foster advances from merely explaining that objects, characters, and events are symbolic of things beyond themsel. What does it represent? This is done, in part, so the main character can grow and develop without fatal consequences. In these pages, Foster shows how Fugard reflects Shakespeare through both plot and theme. Although it might not be obvious, Foster argues that both these events are acts of communion. Other objects and activities can represent sexual organs and sexual acts. Whenever I ask for an example from literature, you may use short stories, novels, plays, or films Yes, film is a literary genre.

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How to Read Literature Like a Professor Notes

how to read literature like a professor chapter notes

Films had to suggest sex acts by cutting away from a couple to show waves breaking on a beach or a curtain blowing in the wind. Foster also explains that writers, while they have to "forget" the materials they have read as they sit down to write, and incorporate the great tradition of literature and poetry unconsciously. Irony tends to upend those expectations. I can maintain and expand this website only with your help. If a text is written in an ironic mode, than any symbolism, associations, or traditional uses of meaning go out the window. This death finally causes Achilles to set aside his anger towards Agamemnon and turn his fury on Hector and the Trojans. Submit copies of the sonnets, marked to show your analysis.

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