Explain the importance of being famliiar with a culture's religion and religious texts - for example, Christianity and the Bible. (Chapter 14) (50 words)
Thomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” explains that readers need to be familiar with religious texts so that they can understand deeper meanings in the writing. Foster explains that, “culture is so influenced by its dominant religious systems that whether a writer adheres to the beliefs or not, the values and principles of those religions will inevitably inform the literary work” (Foster 125). Whether a writer is very religious in their own personal life or not, they tend to involve religion or religious references in their writing. Before reading a work of literature someone should be somewhat familiar with the religions of that time so that they can find those references and understand them. Foster also claims that, “often those values will not be religious in nature but may show themselves in connection with the individual’s role within society, or humankind’s relation to nature, or … just as often religion shows up in the form of allusions and analogues” (Foster 125). Religion incorporated in literature does not necessarily create a religious theme or meaning because it can be used to depict meanings dealing with society or humankind in general. Religion in literature is utilized to create deeper meanings by incorporating certain pieces of that religious text that create the right feeling or have certain values associated with it in the new text. Foster makes the final point that if, “the work engages some prior text,” such as the Bible, then, “the writer wants to make a certain point,” whether that is that, “the parallel deepens our sense of the character’s sacrifice if we see it as somehow similar to the greatest sacrifice we know of,” or that, “it has to do with redemption, or hope, or miracle” (Foster 132). Writers weave parts of other text in their own to create a certain meaning or point that they want the reader to find not matter what that certain allusion or reference means to that reader. Readers must be familiar with religious text around that time period so that they can discover the point the author is trying to make. Foster helps readers by explaining the importance of knowing things dealing with religion even just the basics so they can further they reading experience.
In “How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” Thomas Foster discusses the importance of being familiar with religious texts of different cultures. Foster explains how different cultures have their dominant religions (such as Christianity with our culture), and that “to get the most out of your reading of European and American literatures, knowing something about the Old and New Testaments is essential;” he says the same for any literature that comes from a Buddhist, Islamic, or Hindu – dominated culture (Foster 123). While not everyone may affiliate themselves with a certain religion, every culture has a dominant religion that makes up a majority of its people. Being familiar with certain concepts of these religious texts are beneficial for readers, as many of these culture’s authors tend to implement certain themes from these texts within their works. Foster elaborates on different “Christ figures” in works, and elucidates the fact that they don’t necessarily have to be the perfect Christ-like character; “if a character is a certain age, exhibits certain behaviors, provides for certain outcomes, or suffers in certain ways, your literary antennae should begin to twitch” (Foster 128). Often times in works authors will include characters that, while not immediately evident, are designed to represent Christ or have similar qualities. Whether or not they represent Him accurately, or even at all, is usually up to the reader’s imaginations, although in order to possibly recognize the features at all, readers would have to be familiar with who He is in general. Christ figures, as Foster explains, assist the writer when he/she “wants to make a certain point. Perhaps the parallel deepens our sense of the character’s sacrifice if we see it as somehow similar to the greatest sacrifice we know of” (Foster 132). When readers recognize a Christ figure in literature, it adds a whole new layer of depth to the character. Everything that character does (or whatever happens to that character) has a new meaning, or added significance as it is supposed to represent something greater. Being familiar with religious literature is important for readers because it allows them to recognize religious themes in whatever works they may be reading, and it assists them in making deeper connections with the work.
Thomas C. Foster in "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" discusses how important it is know about cultures and religion. He focuses on Christianity and gives a list of Christ's features. Foster advises for readers to "put aside your belief system" so that "you can see what the writer is trying to say" (Foster 126-127). He hints that when a reader has knowledge of a culture's religious traits, it is easier to recognize the writer's meaning and what the writer is portraying. Foster then provides a list of traits that can be representing a Christ figure. He states that "no literary Christ figure can ever be as pure, as perfect, as divine as Jesus Christ" (Foster 129). Foster is explaining how a Christ figure does not have to be precise but maybe have similar characteristics. If the reader can see those similarities, then he or she is able to better connect and understand the work. Foster answers the question of "why are there Christ figures" and replies that "the writer wants to make a point" (Foster 132). Foster guarantees that there is much significance if a writer incorporates Christ-like figures. When readers can acknowledge the similarities, they can get the point and have a stronger understanding.
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ReplyDeleteThomas C. Foster in, “How to Read Literature like a Professor,” explains that readers need to be familiar with religious texts so that they can understand deeper meanings in the writing. Foster explains that, “culture is so influenced by its dominant religious systems that whether a writer adheres to the beliefs or not, the values and principles of those religions will inevitably inform the literary work” (Foster 125). Whether a writer is very religious in their own personal life or not, they tend to involve religion or religious references in their writing. Before reading a work of literature someone should be somewhat familiar with the religions of that time so that they can find those references and understand them. Foster also claims that, “often those values will not be religious in nature but may show themselves in connection with the individual’s role within society, or humankind’s relation to nature, or … just as often religion shows up in the form of allusions and analogues” (Foster 125). Religion incorporated in literature does not necessarily create a religious theme or meaning because it can be used to depict meanings dealing with society or humankind in general. Religion in literature is utilized to create deeper meanings by incorporating certain pieces of that religious text that create the right feeling or have certain values associated with it in the new text. Foster makes the final point that if, “the work engages some prior text,” such as the Bible, then, “the writer wants to make a certain point,” whether that is that, “the parallel deepens our sense of the character’s sacrifice if we see it as somehow similar to the greatest sacrifice we know of,” or that, “it has to do with redemption, or hope, or miracle” (Foster 132). Writers weave parts of other text in their own to create a certain meaning or point that they want the reader to find not matter what that certain allusion or reference means to that reader. Readers must be familiar with religious text around that time period so that they can discover the point the author is trying to make. Foster helps readers by explaining the importance of knowing things dealing with religion even just the basics so they can further they reading experience.
ReplyDeleteIn “How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” Thomas Foster discusses the importance of being familiar with religious texts of different cultures. Foster explains how different cultures have their dominant religions (such as Christianity with our culture), and that “to get the most out of your reading of European and American literatures, knowing something about the Old and New Testaments is essential;” he says the same for any literature that comes from a Buddhist, Islamic, or Hindu – dominated culture (Foster 123). While not everyone may affiliate themselves with a certain religion, every culture has a dominant religion that makes up a majority of its people. Being familiar with certain concepts of these religious texts are beneficial for readers, as many of these culture’s authors tend to implement certain themes from these texts within their works. Foster elaborates on different “Christ figures” in works, and elucidates the fact that they don’t necessarily have to be the perfect Christ-like character; “if a character is a certain age, exhibits certain behaviors, provides for certain outcomes, or suffers in certain ways, your literary antennae should begin to twitch” (Foster 128). Often times in works authors will include characters that, while not immediately evident, are designed to represent Christ or have similar qualities. Whether or not they represent Him accurately, or even at all, is usually up to the reader’s imaginations, although in order to possibly recognize the features at all, readers would have to be familiar with who He is in general. Christ figures, as Foster explains, assist the writer when he/she “wants to make a certain point. Perhaps the parallel deepens our sense of the character’s sacrifice if we see it as somehow similar to the greatest sacrifice we know of” (Foster 132). When readers recognize a Christ figure in literature, it adds a whole new layer of depth to the character. Everything that character does (or whatever happens to that character) has a new meaning, or added significance as it is supposed to represent something greater. Being familiar with religious literature is important for readers because it allows them to recognize religious themes in whatever works they may be reading, and it assists them in making deeper connections with the work.
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DeleteThomas C. Foster in "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" discusses how important it is know about cultures and religion. He focuses on Christianity and gives a list of Christ's features. Foster advises for readers to "put aside your belief system" so that "you can see what the writer is trying to say" (Foster 126-127). He hints that when a reader has knowledge of a culture's religious traits, it is easier to recognize the writer's meaning and what the writer is portraying. Foster then provides a list of traits that can be representing a Christ figure. He states that "no literary Christ figure can ever be as pure, as perfect, as divine as Jesus Christ" (Foster 129). Foster is explaining how a Christ figure does not have to be precise but maybe have similar characteristics. If the reader can see those similarities, then he or she is able to better connect and understand the work. Foster answers the question of "why are there Christ figures" and replies that "the writer wants to make a point" (Foster 132). Foster guarantees that there is much significance if a writer incorporates Christ-like figures. When readers can acknowledge the similarities, they can get the point and have a stronger understanding.
ReplyDeleteYour sentence "He focuses on a list of Christ's features" lends itself to list the features right behind it instead of later on. Don't repost.
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