In "How to Read Literature like a Professor," Thomas Foster helps readers get a clear understanding of what the term myth encompasses. Early on in Chapter 8, Foster plainly states that "myth is a body of story that matters" (Foster 60). Whether Biblical, Germanic, Native American, Greek, or any other type, myths are important tales in different cultures and communities. Along with being seen in a physical sense (for example, town or sports team names), allusions to myths are riddled throughout popular literature as well. Many myths include protagonists facing similar situations that people do today, as Foster explains this when addressing why someone would compare "modern fisherman with these legendary gods," or include any mythical allusions in works (Foster 64). Many heroes in myths face struggles that occur everyday among humans, just usually on less of a divine scale. They give a scenario for readers to relate to, and possibly have solutions for them as well. Foster explains that Greek and Roman mythology is heavily present in literature, as there is "no form of dysfunctional family or no personal disintegration of character for which there is a Greek or Roman model" (Foster 67). Characters in many myths represent different character traits, quite a few being negative. It is easy to make a connection between literary characters and myths simply because there are so many reference characters to choose from. Myths are important cultural stories, however they are more than just tales; they serve as valuable resources for literary reference, and can be seen throughout works all across the centuries.
Thomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” explains myths in detail. Foster explains that a myth is, “the ability of story to explain ourselves to ourselves in ways that physics, philosophy, mathematics, chemistry … can’t” (Foster 60), and more simply stated, “a body of story that matters” (Foster 60). A myth is often thought of as simply an untrue story which it can be, but is so much more. A myth reveals morals, lessons, and ideas about life that teach readers about themselves and the earth as a whole. Foster notes that a classical myth can be used as an, “overt subject matter for poems and paintings and operas and novels” (Foster 63) just like “Pieter Brueghel painted a wonderful picture, Landscape with Fall of Icarus” (Foster 62), which depicted the fall of Icarus from the ancient Greek myth. In the story of Icarus he and his father are attempting to escape and Icarus is reckless which causes him to his death. In Brueghel’s painting there are a pair of legs disappearing into the water which shows his reference to the famous myth and creates a new meaning in the painting compared to if he was left out. Foster explains that Greek and roman myths such as, “The Iliad” (Foster 64), and “The Odyssey” (Foster 64), are often used to draw parallels from because The Iliad, “epitomizes ideals of heroism and loyalty, sacrifice and loss” (Foster 65), and because, “the big duels… are genuinely exciting and suspenseful, their outcomes sources of grand celebration and dismay” (Foster 65). Homer’s epic poems are extremely well written works of art and contain many relatable aspects which allow writers to draw parallels easily from them. The poems are also great representations of myth because they exhibit a plethora of timeless lessons and also sum up life and culture from that time period. Myths provide strong stories and symbols that provide readers with lessons about life.
Thomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” explains myths in detail. Foster explains that a myth is, “the ability of story to explain ourselves to ourselves in ways that physics, philosophy, mathematics, chemistry … can’t,” and more simply stated, “a body of story that matters” (Foster 60). A myth is often thought of as simply an untrue story which it can be, but is so much more. A myth reveals morals, lessons, and ideas about life that teach readers about themselves and the earth as a whole. Foster notes that a classical myth can be used as an, “overt subject matter for poems and paintings and operas and novels,” just like “Pieter Brueghel painted a wonderful picture, Landscape with Fall of Icarus,” which depicted the fall of Icarus from the ancient Greek myth (Foster 62, 63). In the story of Icarus he and his father are attempting to escape and Icarus is reckless which causes him to his death. In Brueghel’s painting there are a pair of legs disappearing into the water which shows his reference to the famous myth and creates a new meaning in the painting compared to if he was left out. Foster explains that Greek and roman myths such as, “The Iliad,” and “The Odyssey,” are often used to draw parallels from because The Iliad, “epitomizes ideals of heroism and loyalty, sacrifice and loss,” and because, “the big duels… are genuinely exciting and suspenseful, their outcomes sources of grand celebration and dismay” (Foster 64, 65). Homer’s epic poems are extremely well written works of art and contain many relatable aspects which allow writers to draw parallels easily from them. The poems are also great representations of myth because they exhibit a plethora of timeless lessons and also sum up life and culture from that time period. Myths provide strong stories and symbols that provide readers with lessons about life.
Thomas C. Foster in "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" contradicts most people's understanding of myth. He states that connections of "religion and myth sometimes causes trouble in class when someone takes myth to mean 'untrue'" (Foster 59). Foster tries to explain how a myth does not mean a story is false; if it were to mean that, there would be a disconnection with people who believe something is true such as religion. He explains that what is meant "in speaking of 'myth' in general is story" (Foster 60). Foster describes how the story is used to explain people in ways the factual matters can not. Foster defines myth as "a body of story that matters" (Foster 60). He makes it clear that myths are not just made up stories. They are what writers use in their work to bring in something that matters to them.
In "How to Read Literature like a Professor," Thomas Foster helps readers get a clear understanding of what the term myth encompasses. Early on in Chapter 8, Foster plainly states that "myth is a body of story that matters" (Foster 60). Whether Biblical, Germanic, Native American, Greek, or any other type, myths are important tales in different cultures and communities. Along with being seen in a physical sense (for example, town or sports team names), allusions to myths are riddled throughout popular literature as well. Many myths include protagonists facing similar situations that people do today, as Foster explains this when addressing why someone would compare "modern fisherman with these legendary gods," or include any mythical allusions in works (Foster 64). Many heroes in myths face struggles that occur everyday among humans, just usually on less of a divine scale. They give a scenario for readers to relate to, and possibly have solutions for them as well. Foster explains that Greek and Roman mythology is heavily present in literature, as there is "no form of dysfunctional family or no personal disintegration of character for which there is a Greek or Roman model" (Foster 67). Characters in many myths represent different character traits, quite a few being negative. It is easy to make a connection between literary characters and myths simply because there are so many reference characters to choose from. Myths are important cultural stories, however they are more than just tales; they serve as valuable resources for literary reference, and can be seen throughout works all across the centuries.
ReplyDelete1) Excellent
Delete2) Usage of however - complete sentence; however, complete sentence.
Thomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” explains myths in detail. Foster explains that a myth is, “the ability of story to explain ourselves to ourselves in ways that physics, philosophy, mathematics, chemistry … can’t” (Foster 60), and more simply stated, “a body of story that matters” (Foster 60). A myth is often thought of as simply an untrue story which it can be, but is so much more. A myth reveals morals, lessons, and ideas about life that teach readers about themselves and the earth as a whole. Foster notes that a classical myth can be used as an, “overt subject matter for poems and paintings and operas and novels” (Foster 63) just like “Pieter Brueghel painted a wonderful picture, Landscape with Fall of Icarus” (Foster 62), which depicted the fall of Icarus from the ancient Greek myth. In the story of Icarus he and his father are attempting to escape and Icarus is reckless which causes him to his death. In Brueghel’s painting there are a pair of legs disappearing into the water which shows his reference to the famous myth and creates a new meaning in the painting compared to if he was left out. Foster explains that Greek and roman myths such as, “The Iliad” (Foster 64), and “The Odyssey” (Foster 64), are often used to draw parallels from because The Iliad, “epitomizes ideals of heroism and loyalty, sacrifice and loss” (Foster 65), and because, “the big duels… are genuinely exciting and suspenseful, their outcomes sources of grand celebration and dismay” (Foster 65). Homer’s epic poems are extremely well written works of art and contain many relatable aspects which allow writers to draw parallels easily from them. The poems are also great representations of myth because they exhibit a plethora of timeless lessons and also sum up life and culture from that time period. Myths provide strong stories and symbols that provide readers with lessons about life.
ReplyDeleteSame as what I said on last post. Copy and post but correct all citation errors.
ReplyDeleteThomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” explains myths in detail. Foster explains that a myth is, “the ability of story to explain ourselves to ourselves in ways that physics, philosophy, mathematics, chemistry … can’t,” and more simply stated, “a body of story that matters” (Foster 60). A myth is often thought of as simply an untrue story which it can be, but is so much more. A myth reveals morals, lessons, and ideas about life that teach readers about themselves and the earth as a whole. Foster notes that a classical myth can be used as an, “overt subject matter for poems and paintings and operas and novels,” just like “Pieter Brueghel painted a wonderful picture, Landscape with Fall of Icarus,” which depicted the fall of Icarus from the ancient Greek myth (Foster 62, 63). In the story of Icarus he and his father are attempting to escape and Icarus is reckless which causes him to his death. In Brueghel’s painting there are a pair of legs disappearing into the water which shows his reference to the famous myth and creates a new meaning in the painting compared to if he was left out. Foster explains that Greek and roman myths such as, “The Iliad,” and “The Odyssey,” are often used to draw parallels from because The Iliad, “epitomizes ideals of heroism and loyalty, sacrifice and loss,” and because, “the big duels… are genuinely exciting and suspenseful, their outcomes sources of grand celebration and dismay” (Foster 64, 65). Homer’s epic poems are extremely well written works of art and contain many relatable aspects which allow writers to draw parallels easily from them. The poems are also great representations of myth because they exhibit a plethora of timeless lessons and also sum up life and culture from that time period. Myths provide strong stories and symbols that provide readers with lessons about life.
ReplyDeleteGreat, thanks.
DeleteThomas C. Foster in "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" contradicts most people's understanding of myth. He states that connections of "religion and myth sometimes causes trouble in class when someone takes myth to mean 'untrue'" (Foster 59). Foster tries to explain how a myth does not mean a story is false; if it were to mean that, there would be a disconnection with people who believe something is true such as religion. He explains that what is meant "in speaking of 'myth' in general is story" (Foster 60). Foster describes how the story is used to explain people in ways the factual matters can not. Foster defines myth as "a body of story that matters" (Foster 60). He makes it clear that myths are not just made up stories. They are what writers use in their work to bring in something that matters to them.
ReplyDeleteLacks depth in commentary. Be careful not to be too surface level.
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