Assignment One: "But it's the Moby-Gatsby kind of story that compels our attention" (Foster xii). ~ What story compelled your attention? (Preface) (100 words)
Thomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” discusses what he call a, “Moby-Gatsby kind of story” (Foster xii) which is where a story is not considered popular until long after the book has been written. Foster explains how Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby both went, “thud upon release” (Foster xi) and a hundred years passed before the world could “discover how great Gatsby truly is, three or four times that for Moby-Dick to be recognized as a masterpiece” (Foster xii). Art not being acclaimed for its worth until long after the artist dies happened a plethora of times in history. This delay of appreciation is considered somewhat shocking because both of the artists, unlike others whose recognition was delayed, had previous works that were well liked. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is “much more insightful about human nature and its historical moment, than his earlier books that it is almost inconceivable that his huge audience turned away” (Foster xi), but could be “why it turned away” (Foster xii). His book was so intense and honest that people may have not been able to accept the book and the concepts depicted in it. Now is the time where people can look back and appreciate his skill and knowledge put into the novel. The delay in popularity of books such as those mentioned is due to the fact that authors have “to find an audience” (Foster xii) that will respond well to their writing and they “believe [they] have some idea who it will be” (Foster xii). When writing a book authors have an idea of the general type of people that will be interested in that work of art and can also cater to that audience’s wants in certain ways. Releasing a novel in a time that does not have that type of audience will cause the book to be unappreciated for a good while or always. The “Moby-Gatsby kind of story” (Foster xii) draws people in because it is ludicrous for a book to no be recognized for its true greatness until long after the publishing date.
For this assignment, I actually want you to tell me what story you have read that speaks to you as strongly as books like The Great Gatsby or Moby Dick. What story have you read that touched and moved you so deeply that you'll never forget it. Tell me about that story.
Most people fell in love with John Green because of his book, “The Fault in Our Stars,” which I can not deny is also the same reason for my initial interest with his novels, but it was his book, “Paper Towns,” that turned interest into infatuation. In the book, “Paper Towns,” the main character is Quentin who has been marveled by a girl in his neighborhood named Margo for what seems like his entire life. They do not hang out or even talk to each either ever until one night she knocks on his window and asks him to accompany her on an all night revenge scheme. That night being pretty much the best night of his life, he must find her when he wakes up the next morning and realizes she is missing. This book is marveling because Quentin’s life becomes completely about finding Margo once she disappears. He searches everywhere for clues to find her and becomes completely consumed in his quest. Crazy is the only word to describe someone who would do all of that to find someone they knew for really only one night, but that is what he does. The book captures the reader’s attention because there is the craziness of an all night revenge plot, the mystery of trying to find Margo and the sappiness of Quentin’s love or what he thinks is love for Margo. The ending also makes this novel fantastic because its one of those endings where there is happiness and sadness equally so the reader is satisfied because the ending produces some happiness, but not so much that it falls in the happily ever after fairytale category. John Green is an amazing writer so great things can be said about many of his novels but it was the story of, “Paper Towns,” that captured my attention.
1) Great - correct response to prompt. I haven't read any of his books, but I hear they are great. 2) Be careful not to be repetitive with certain words - ex: marveled and marveling and crazy and craziness 3) The ending also makes this novel fantastic because its one of those endings where there is happiness and sadness equally so the reader is satisfied because the ending produces some happiness, but not so much that it falls in the happily ever after fairytale category. - Long, awkward sentence
Thomas C. Foster, "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," explains as he calls it, a "Moby-Gatsby kind of story" (Foster xii). A "Moby-Gatsby kind of story" is a book that has already been written, but has not become popular till years maybe decades after the book has been published. In both "The Great Gatsby" and "Moby-Dick" published in 1851 and 1920 it was not until at least twenty years until both were recognized. Both books were a true masterpiece of art that were not acclaimed for until long after both authors had past away. In this time both Fitzgerald and Melville are praised on the works of both of their classics. Foster feels that it is completely ridiculous for a book of such quality to not be recognized until long after its publishing date. (Foster xii).
For this assignment, I actually want you to tell me what story have you read that speaks to you as strongly as books like The Great Gatsby or Moby Dick. What story have you read that touched and moved you so deeply that you'll never forget it. Tell me about that story.
Of all the stories I have read over my life the one that has intrigued me the most was William Golding's Lord of the Flies. The book appealed to my love for nature and adventure, with the story also being in accordance to survival by a group of people. The setting was on an island dense with plant life. The group of boys that crash landed on the island had no choice but to brave the land without an adult after there superior died as result of the crash. However, it also included concepts of societal organization or in this case, lack there of. The story actually seemed to be a fictional take on a social experiment where it answers the question of "what happens when societal boundaries quickly become non-existent because a group of people are enduring a dire situation in a location completely isolated from organized law and structure?" Once the group became completely aware of their situation and new freedom, they attempted to work together to survive and thrive. After disputes involving powers of the two "chiefs" of the group, the line dividing the protagonists and antagonists was clear. Law and social norms began to deteriorate as one clique took on the mindset of survival of the fittest, acting in savage ways while the other attempted to accomplish survival through a more peaceful and moral approach. This savagery would remain until members of the other group decided to conform to the ways and hierarchical organization of the threatening group. This book represents the loss of humanity when a stress is introduced to a group in very unique way. This book touched me like no other, not because of the deadly feuding of children, but the fact that I still often ponder the underlying concepts of this book. I believe the overall concept and purpose behind this story is to remind us that we as civilized humans walk a fine line from organization and anarchy, needing only one traumatic event to possibly affect life as we know it. When I think of this book, I think of a quote by the infamous Joker from the Batman series. "Introduce a little anarchy, and it all becomes chaos."
1) I've heard a lot of good things about the book. I've never read it. I'll have to put it on my list! 2) "The book appealed to my love for nature and adventure, with the story also being in accordance to survival by a group of people." ~ awkward structure/wording 3) Always write about literature in present tense. Don't ask why - "they" say to. haha It's a rule! 4) You put a question in quotation marks - why? Is this a quote from the story? Probably not - no quotation marks 5) I like why you like the book. Great posts!
Out of all the stories that I’ve read throughout my life, ranging from children’s books such as "Green Eggs and Ham" to epics such as "The Odyssey", one book that has really stood out to me and remains a personal favorite of mine is "Tuesdays with Morrie" by sports journalist Mitch Albom. The novel follows Mitch himself, as he recalls his weekly visits with his former college professor and close friend Morrie Schwarts, all the while leading up to Morrie’s unfortunate death due to ALS. I really enjoyed the story due to the numerous spectacular life lessons that Morrie passes on to Mitch, dealing with topics such as trust, love, and accepting death itself. I found his topics very insightful and relatable, such as how he urges Mitch to form his own values centered on love and openness with those around him, and to be his own person, rather than to fall victim to the grips of society’s overall interests. This book also speaks through Morrie’s colorful and humorous personality. Throughout the entire book, Morrie is fully aware of his disease, as day by day he learns he is unable to control parts of his body over time. He knows that his death is imminent, however, he does not fear it; he accepts it, as he feels as though he has one last lesson he can teach to Mitch about the value of life and the world around him. It’s a lesson like that, fueled through curriculum founded upon years of wisdom as opposed to traditional textbook knowledge that really leaves an impact on me. One final aspect of this story that I adore is that it’s purely nonfictional; there are jolly, upbeat, kind men like Morrie out there, just as there are people like Mitch who turned his media-fueled life into one that centers on love and compassion, and enjoying the simple things. It’s always enjoyable to read these inspiring true stories because it shows the care and joy that can be experienced in the real world, and not just within the pages of a book. I hope that one day I can have conversations as personal and raw with someone as influential as Morrie was. Every topic discussed in "Tuesdays with Morrie" is beautifully analyzed and discussed, and the wisdom that Morrie has to offer in his dying months is something that will always keep this book as one of my favorites.
1) Great - I've never read it but I hear it is awesome. Didn't they make a movie out of it as well? 2) The novel follows Mitch himself, as he recalls his weekly visits with his former college professor and close friend Morrie Schwarts, all the while leading up to Morrie’s unfortunate death due to ALS. - Long and awkward 3) He knows that his death is imminent, however, he does not fear it; - Rule for using however - ; however, 4) It’s a lesson like that, fueled through curriculum founded upon years of wisdom as opposed to traditional textbook knowledge that really leaves an impact on me. - what do you mean by "fueled through curriculum founded upon years of wisdom as opposed to traditional textbook knowledge" - it's placement in the sentence is confusing 5) One final aspect of this story that I adore is that it’s purely nonfictional; there are jolly, upbeat, kind men like Morrie out there, just as there are people like Mitch who turned his media-fueled life into one that centers on love and compassion, and enjoying the simple things. - Why did you connect these two sentences with a semi-colon. They do not seem relatable enough to do this. It would make sense if you were saying that even though the book was fictional the author did an excellent job at making it realistic. It's structure is also weak.
I started reading Gary Paulsen's books when i was about ten, my favorite book by this author is "The Hatchet". This book is about a boy named Brian, who gets in a small plane crash in Canada, the pilot died and Brian spent about two months surviving in the wilderness with nothing but a hatchet. This book got my attention at a young age because it appealed to my interests of survival and hunting. Brian had to learn how to hunt, find food, make shelter, and make clothes to survive the harsh weather in Canada. He made a bow, and other tools for survival, with his hatchet. Eventually he is found,and returned home, to his parents, whom he thought he would never see again. I have never been a fan of reading, and still am not, but this book, along with several other books by this author fueled my interest in reading.
I've never read it but have heard it is great. Be sure to check your Summer Reading handout for required paragraph elements for structure. Watch your comma usage - quite a few errors.
One of the most amazing books I've ever had the chance to read, is a book called "Room." It's not my typical read, but proved to be great nonetheless. The book describes the life of a child. His mom was kidnapped as a teenager, and forced to live in a small building (one 'room') in the back of the man's (kidnapper's) yard. She then had him, by the man's doing. The book is intriguing for two reasons. One, the boy is constrained to living in that one space, but doesn't ever feel constrained. Since the room is all he knows, he makes of it what he can, and finds wonder in the littlest of things, like milk, and spoons. And two, the book is 361 pages long, and the majority takes place in this limited space, but the story, and its substance could fill hundreds of those rooms. I didn't finish the story disappointed, or longing for more, and it was incredible to me that such an incredible plot could be created with such little breathing room for anything to take place. The psychological aspect of it all was the best part. It compelled me to live in that 'room' with them, and break down the book in any attempt to understand the boy's mind. It was all very fascinating, and was overall, a great read.
1) I've heard about this book. Sounds great! 2) Only use commas before conjunctions (i.e. for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when there are two complete sentences on both sides of the conjunction 3) No contractions (i.e. it's) in formal responses
The most interesting book to me was "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. It tells the story of a young girl who had nothing in life apart from her mother and sister, and had no future to look forward to. She was the responsible one in the family that had to provide their stability as well as food. Katniss Everdeen had to volunteer for a game to fight to the death so that her little sister would not die. She had to make difficult decisions fighting to keep herself and friends alive once in the game arena. Also, Katniss had feelings for her friend at home but had to pretend to have feelings for the one person that was helping her stay alive. Throughout the book, she realized that she did love this boy that was fighting with her. Through many trials and tribulations, Katniss and her "lover" Peeta were able to survive and go back home. Katniss's determination and caring for other people earned the respect of her community. This book showed how hard life can be. It also contains a love story that caught my attention. People do not always love who they think they do. Katniss's character interested me because of how brave she was and always tried to the right thing. I admired how her character displayed her independence and moral values despite all of her hardships.
Thomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” discusses what he call a, “Moby-Gatsby kind of story” (Foster xii) which is where a story is not considered popular until long after the book has been written. Foster explains how Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby both went, “thud upon release” (Foster xi) and a hundred years passed before the world could “discover how great Gatsby truly is, three or four times that for Moby-Dick to be recognized as a masterpiece” (Foster xii). Art not being acclaimed for its worth until long after the artist dies happened a plethora of times in history. This delay of appreciation is considered somewhat shocking because both of the artists, unlike others whose recognition was delayed, had previous works that were well liked. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is “much more insightful about human nature and its historical moment, than his earlier books that it is almost inconceivable that his huge audience turned away” (Foster xi), but could be “why it turned away” (Foster xii). His book was so intense and honest that people may have not been able to accept the book and the concepts depicted in it. Now is the time where people can look back and appreciate his skill and knowledge put into the novel. The delay in popularity of books such as those mentioned is due to the fact that authors have “to find an audience” (Foster xii) that will respond well to their writing and they “believe [they] have some idea who it will be” (Foster xii). When writing a book authors have an idea of the general type of people that will be interested in that work of art and can also cater to that audience’s wants in certain ways. Releasing a novel in a time that does not have that type of audience will cause the book to be unappreciated for a good while or always. The “Moby-Gatsby kind of story” (Foster xii) draws people in because it is ludicrous for a book to no be recognized for its true greatness until long after the publishing date.
ReplyDeleteFor this assignment, I actually want you to tell me what story you have read that speaks to you as strongly as books like The Great Gatsby or Moby Dick. What story have you read that touched and moved you so deeply that you'll never forget it. Tell me about that story.
DeleteMost people fell in love with John Green because of his book, “The Fault in Our Stars,” which I can not deny is also the same reason for my initial interest with his novels, but it was his book, “Paper Towns,” that turned interest into infatuation. In the book, “Paper Towns,” the main character is Quentin who has been marveled by a girl in his neighborhood named Margo for what seems like his entire life. They do not hang out or even talk to each either ever until one night she knocks on his window and asks him to accompany her on an all night revenge scheme. That night being pretty much the best night of his life, he must find her when he wakes up the next morning and realizes she is missing. This book is marveling because Quentin’s life becomes completely about finding Margo once she disappears. He searches everywhere for clues to find her and becomes completely consumed in his quest. Crazy is the only word to describe someone who would do all of that to find someone they knew for really only one night, but that is what he does. The book captures the reader’s attention because there is the craziness of an all night revenge plot, the mystery of trying to find Margo and the sappiness of Quentin’s love or what he thinks is love for Margo. The ending also makes this novel fantastic because its one of those endings where there is happiness and sadness equally so the reader is satisfied because the ending produces some happiness, but not so much that it falls in the happily ever after fairytale category. John Green is an amazing writer so great things can be said about many of his novels but it was the story of, “Paper Towns,” that captured my attention.
Delete1) Great - correct response to prompt. I haven't read any of his books, but I hear they are great.
Delete2) Be careful not to be repetitive with certain words - ex: marveled and marveling and crazy and craziness
3) The ending also makes this novel fantastic because its one of those endings where there is happiness and sadness equally so the reader is satisfied because the ending produces some happiness, but not so much that it falls in the happily ever after fairytale category. - Long, awkward sentence
Thomas C. Foster, "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," explains as he calls it, a "Moby-Gatsby kind of story" (Foster xii). A "Moby-Gatsby kind of story" is a book that has already been written, but has not become popular till years maybe decades after the book has been published. In both "The Great Gatsby" and "Moby-Dick" published in 1851 and 1920 it was not until at least twenty years until both were recognized. Both books were a true masterpiece of art that were not acclaimed for until long after both authors had past away. In this time both Fitzgerald and Melville are praised on the works of both of their classics. Foster feels that it is completely ridiculous for a book of such quality to not be recognized until long after its publishing date. (Foster xii).
ReplyDeleteFor this assignment, I actually want you to tell me what story have you read that speaks to you as strongly as books like The Great Gatsby or Moby Dick. What story have you read that touched and moved you so deeply that you'll never forget it. Tell me about that story.
DeleteOf all the stories I have read over my life the one that has intrigued me the most was William Golding's Lord of the Flies. The book appealed to my love for nature and adventure, with the story also being in accordance to survival by a group of people. The setting was on an island dense with plant life. The group of boys that crash landed on the island had no choice but to brave the land without an adult after there superior died as result of the crash. However, it also included concepts of societal organization or in this case, lack there of. The story actually seemed to be a fictional take on a social experiment where it answers the question of "what happens when societal boundaries quickly become non-existent because a group of people are enduring a dire situation in a location completely isolated from organized law and structure?" Once the group became completely aware of their situation and new freedom, they attempted to work together to survive and thrive. After disputes involving powers of the two "chiefs" of the group, the line dividing the protagonists and antagonists was clear. Law and social norms began to deteriorate as one clique took on the mindset of survival of the fittest, acting in savage ways while the other attempted to accomplish survival through a more peaceful and moral approach. This savagery would remain until members of the other group decided to conform to the ways and hierarchical organization of the threatening group. This book represents the loss of humanity when a stress is introduced to a group in very unique way. This book touched me like no other, not because of the deadly feuding of children, but the fact that I still often ponder the underlying concepts of this book. I believe the overall concept and purpose behind this story is to remind us that we as civilized humans walk a fine line from organization and anarchy, needing only one traumatic event to possibly affect life as we know it. When I think of this book, I think of a quote by the infamous Joker from the Batman series. "Introduce a little anarchy, and it all becomes chaos."
ReplyDelete1) I've heard a lot of good things about the book. I've never read it. I'll have to put it on my list!
ReplyDelete2) "The book appealed to my love for nature and adventure, with the story also being in accordance to survival by a group of people." ~ awkward structure/wording
3) Always write about literature in present tense. Don't ask why - "they" say to. haha It's a rule!
4) You put a question in quotation marks - why? Is this a quote from the story? Probably not - no quotation marks
5) I like why you like the book. Great posts!
Out of all the stories that I’ve read throughout my life, ranging from children’s books such as "Green Eggs and Ham" to epics such as "The Odyssey", one book that has really stood out to me and remains a personal favorite of mine is "Tuesdays with Morrie" by sports journalist Mitch Albom. The novel follows Mitch himself, as he recalls his weekly visits with his former college professor and close friend Morrie Schwarts, all the while leading up to Morrie’s unfortunate death due to ALS. I really enjoyed the story due to the numerous spectacular life lessons that Morrie passes on to Mitch, dealing with topics such as trust, love, and accepting death itself. I found his topics very insightful and relatable, such as how he urges Mitch to form his own values centered on love and openness with those around him, and to be his own person, rather than to fall victim to the grips of society’s overall interests. This book also speaks through Morrie’s colorful and humorous personality. Throughout the entire book, Morrie is fully aware of his disease, as day by day he learns he is unable to control parts of his body over time. He knows that his death is imminent, however, he does not fear it; he accepts it, as he feels as though he has one last lesson he can teach to Mitch about the value of life and the world around him. It’s a lesson like that, fueled through curriculum founded upon years of wisdom as opposed to traditional textbook knowledge that really leaves an impact on me. One final aspect of this story that I adore is that it’s purely nonfictional; there are jolly, upbeat, kind men like Morrie out there, just as there are people like Mitch who turned his media-fueled life into one that centers on love and compassion, and enjoying the simple things. It’s always enjoyable to read these inspiring true stories because it shows the care and joy that can be experienced in the real world, and not just within the pages of a book. I hope that one day I can have conversations as personal and raw with someone as influential as Morrie was. Every topic discussed in "Tuesdays with Morrie" is beautifully analyzed and discussed, and the wisdom that Morrie has to offer in his dying months is something that will always keep this book as one of my favorites.
ReplyDelete1) Great - I've never read it but I hear it is awesome. Didn't they make a movie out of it as well?
Delete2) The novel follows Mitch himself, as he recalls his weekly visits with his former college professor and close friend Morrie Schwarts, all the while leading up to Morrie’s unfortunate death due to ALS. - Long and awkward
3) He knows that his death is imminent, however, he does not fear it; - Rule for using however - ; however,
4) It’s a lesson like that, fueled through curriculum founded upon years of wisdom as opposed to traditional textbook knowledge that really leaves an impact on me. - what do you mean by "fueled through curriculum founded upon years of wisdom as opposed to traditional textbook knowledge" - it's placement in the sentence is confusing
5) One final aspect of this story that I adore is that it’s purely nonfictional; there are jolly, upbeat, kind men like Morrie out there, just as there are people like Mitch who turned his media-fueled life into one that centers on love and compassion, and enjoying the simple things. - Why did you connect these two sentences with a semi-colon. They do not seem relatable enough to do this. It would make sense if you were saying that even though the book was fictional the author did an excellent job at making it realistic. It's structure is also weak.
I started reading Gary Paulsen's books when i was about ten, my favorite book by this author is "The Hatchet". This book is about a boy named Brian, who gets in a small plane crash in Canada, the pilot died and Brian spent about two months surviving in the wilderness with nothing but a hatchet. This book got my attention at a young age because it appealed to my interests of survival and hunting. Brian had to learn how to hunt, find food, make shelter, and make clothes to survive the harsh weather in Canada. He made a bow, and other tools for survival, with his hatchet. Eventually he is found,and returned home, to his parents, whom he thought he would never see again. I have never been a fan of reading, and still am not, but this book, along with several other books by this author fueled my interest in reading.
ReplyDeleteI've never read it but have heard it is great. Be sure to check your Summer Reading handout for required paragraph elements for structure. Watch your comma usage - quite a few errors.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most amazing books I've ever had the chance to read, is a book called "Room." It's not my typical read, but proved to be great nonetheless. The book describes the life of a child. His mom was kidnapped as a teenager, and forced to live in a small building (one 'room') in the back of the man's (kidnapper's) yard. She then had him, by the man's doing. The book is intriguing for two reasons. One, the boy is constrained to living in that one space, but doesn't ever feel constrained. Since the room is all he knows, he makes of it what he can, and finds wonder in the littlest of things, like milk, and spoons. And two, the book is 361 pages long, and the majority takes place in this limited space, but the story, and its substance could fill hundreds of those rooms. I didn't finish the story disappointed, or longing for more, and it was incredible to me that such an incredible plot could be created with such little breathing room for anything to take place. The psychological aspect of it all was the best part. It compelled me to live in that 'room' with them, and break down the book in any attempt to understand the boy's mind. It was all very fascinating, and was overall, a great read.
ReplyDelete1) I've heard about this book. Sounds great!
ReplyDelete2) Only use commas before conjunctions (i.e. for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when there are two complete sentences on both sides of the conjunction
3) No contractions (i.e. it's) in formal responses
The most interesting book to me was "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. It tells the story of a young girl who had nothing in life apart from her mother and sister, and had no future to look forward to. She was the responsible one in the family that had to provide their stability as well as food. Katniss Everdeen had to volunteer for a game to fight to the death so that her little sister would not die. She had to make difficult decisions fighting to keep herself and friends alive once in the game arena. Also, Katniss had feelings for her friend at home but had to pretend to have feelings for the one person that was helping her stay alive. Throughout the book, she realized that she did love this boy that was fighting with her. Through many trials and tribulations, Katniss and her "lover" Peeta were able to survive and go back home. Katniss's determination and caring for other people earned the respect of her community. This book showed how hard life can be. It also contains a love story that caught my attention. People do not always love who they think they do. Katniss's character interested me because of how brave she was and always tried to the right thing. I admired how her character displayed her independence and moral values despite all of her hardships.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it but hear it is excellent. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete