Thomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature like a Professor” teaches the average students a plethora of tools and advice to become a better reader. Foster teaches the concept of intertextuality which is, “the ongoing interaction between poems or stories,” which leads to his point that, “there’s no such thing as a wholly original work of literature” (Foster 24, 29). Intertextuality is when writers incorporate ideas, phrases, characters, and etcetera from older texts in their own text. This makes it where every story has a piece of another in it which creates deeper meanings and makes the reading more interesting, but the reader has to be analyzing the lines very well to catch on sometimes. Although a symbol, “is likely not reducible to a single statement but will more probably involve a range of possible meanings and interpretations,” Foster explains the range of possible meanings of a plethora of common symbols in literature (Foster 105). Symbols do not have only one possible meaning, but Foster navigates the reader to what the range of possible meanings are for symbols that are popular in literature such as water, seasons, and others. Foster explains that while the season summer can mean a large amount of ideas, those ideas are limited to where they do not include death or sorrow unless irony is in the picture. Foster also explains that writers often try, “to control every facet of their creative output and who intend virtually every effect in their works” (Foster 91). Writers have to be intentional with everything they write other wise they would not have the story play perfectly and thoroughly portray meanings and aspects that they want. Writers do not add in characteristics or details just because they fell like, but because in some way they further the meaning they are trying to portray to the reader. Foster provides readers with a plethora of tips to further enhance their reading experience and get the most out of what ever they are reading.
Thank you so much for completing this assignment. You are the only one who did! Not only will you be rewarded for this in the grade book but you will find the knowledge gleaned from this book rewards you not only throughout the rest of this class, but your college classes, and even in life. You are a pleasure to teach!
Through reading “How to Read Literature like a Professor” by Thomas Foster, I’ve gained so much insight on the nature of literature and authors, insight that will be very useful in future works that I will read. Foster explains the importance of being familiar with religious literature, as “The devil, as the old saying goes, can quote Scripture. So can writers” (Foster 43). This applies to other religious texts as well, but being familiarized with religious texts of any culture can help determine references in works from that culture. This goes for other literature as well, such as popular fairy tales or mythology; if readers are more well read, the more references and allusions they can begin to recognize. A strong point that stood out to me was when Foster explained that we shouldn’t read “with [our] eyes” (Foster 234). Its important to take an unbiased look at any piece of literature and understand who the audience was at the time of publication, and how they viewed the world. If readers view works from a perspective not of their own, their problems and beliefs can be set aside for a moment to get a deeper understanding of the work. Finally, the biggest point that I took away from this book is when Foster explains that there is “only one story” (Foster 193). These great works that he discusses, while all possibly vastly different, share a similarity in that they were created by people, all part of one ever expanding story. It spurs a sense of importance, knowing that everyone is a part of an expanding story and that each of these literary works is an expansion of that same story. “How to Read Literature like a Professor” has taught me many new tips and strategies to enhance my reading and navigate through literature, tips that I will carry with me thorough the rest of my life.
Thomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” taught many of the important aspects in literature. Foster said “whenever people eat or drink together, it’s communion” (Foster 8). He informed the reader of how important a meal is in a story. Knowing how important eating or drinking together is, allows the reader to recognize what significance it holds to the overall theme of a story. By noticing and understanding symbols and allusions, it will increase the readers’ understanding of the work and overall benefit their reading experience. He said that “it’s never just rain” (Foster 70). Foster pointed out all of the symbols that rain and weather can represent. This allows the reader to notice this and use it to understand the meaning of the story better. Foster said “seasons can work magic on us, and writers can work magic with seasons” (Foster 192). He pointed out how an author uses seasons to connect them with emotions and the two can represent each other. Now that I know what to look for while reading, it will be easier to understand the overall message of the story.
This reflection is a bit disjointed. You need to better connect each different learning with better transitional sentences. Tweak a little, please. Thanks.
Thomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature like a Professor” teaches the average students a plethora of tools and advice to become a better reader. Foster teaches the concept of intertextuality which is, “the ongoing interaction between poems or stories,” which leads to his point that, “there’s no such thing as a wholly original work of literature” (Foster 24, 29). Intertextuality is when writers incorporate ideas, phrases, characters, and etcetera from older texts in their own text. This makes it where every story has a piece of another in it which creates deeper meanings and makes the reading more interesting, but the reader has to be analyzing the lines very well to catch on sometimes. Although a symbol, “is likely not reducible to a single statement but will more probably involve a range of possible meanings and interpretations,” Foster explains the range of possible meanings of a plethora of common symbols in literature (Foster 105). Symbols do not have only one possible meaning, but Foster navigates the reader to what the range of possible meanings are for symbols that are popular in literature such as water, seasons, and others. Foster explains that while the season summer can mean a large amount of ideas, those ideas are limited to where they do not include death or sorrow unless irony is in the picture. Foster also explains that writers often try, “to control every facet of their creative output and who intend virtually every effect in their works” (Foster 91). Writers have to be intentional with everything they write other wise they would not have the story play perfectly and thoroughly portray meanings and aspects that they want. Writers do not add in characteristics or details just because they fell like, but because in some way they further the meaning they are trying to portray to the reader. Foster provides readers with a plethora of tips to further enhance their reading experience and get the most out of what ever they are reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for completing this assignment. You are the only one who did! Not only will you be rewarded for this in the grade book but you will find the knowledge gleaned from this book rewards you not only throughout the rest of this class, but your college classes, and even in life. You are a pleasure to teach!
ReplyDeleteThrough reading “How to Read Literature like a Professor” by Thomas Foster, I’ve gained so much insight on the nature of literature and authors, insight that will be very useful in future works that I will read. Foster explains the importance of being familiar with religious literature, as “The devil, as the old saying goes, can quote Scripture. So can writers” (Foster 43). This applies to other religious texts as well, but being familiarized with religious texts of any culture can help determine references in works from that culture. This goes for other literature as well, such as popular fairy tales or mythology; if readers are more well read, the more references and allusions they can begin to recognize. A strong point that stood out to me was when Foster explained that we shouldn’t read “with [our] eyes” (Foster 234). Its important to take an unbiased look at any piece of literature and understand who the audience was at the time of publication, and how they viewed the world. If readers view works from a perspective not of their own, their problems and beliefs can be set aside for a moment to get a deeper understanding of the work. Finally, the biggest point that I took away from this book is when Foster explains that there is “only one story” (Foster 193). These great works that he discusses, while all possibly vastly different, share a similarity in that they were created by people, all part of one ever expanding story. It spurs a sense of importance, knowing that everyone is a part of an expanding story and that each of these literary works is an expansion of that same story. “How to Read Literature like a Professor” has taught me many new tips and strategies to enhance my reading and navigate through literature, tips that I will carry with me thorough the rest of my life.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I definitely think it is a worthwhile read!
DeleteThomas C. Foster in “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” taught many of the important aspects in literature. Foster said “whenever people eat or drink together, it’s communion” (Foster 8). He informed the reader of how important a meal is in a story. Knowing how important eating or drinking together is, allows the reader to recognize what significance it holds to the overall theme of a story. By noticing and understanding symbols and allusions, it will increase the readers’ understanding of the work and overall benefit their reading experience. He said that “it’s never just rain” (Foster 70). Foster pointed out all of the symbols that rain and weather can represent. This allows the reader to notice this and use it to understand the meaning of the story better. Foster said “seasons can work magic on us, and writers can work magic with seasons” (Foster 192). He pointed out how an author uses seasons to connect them with emotions and the two can represent each other. Now that I know what to look for while reading, it will be easier to understand the overall message of the story.
ReplyDeleteThis reflection is a bit disjointed. You need to better connect each different learning with better transitional sentences. Tweak a little, please. Thanks.
Delete