Prompt Three
How to Read
Literature like a Professor functions as the stepping stones in creating a
fully rounded and deeper understanding of texts people may be exposed to in the
future. In writing the novel, Foster
uses each chapter to build the reader’s understanding of symbols frequently
discussed by authors in literature. In
the same way Foster organizes his novel, becoming literate can mirror the same
process because overtime a reader can connect more novels and themes together
in order to build a more thorough understanding of the text. He refers to the process as
“intertextuality.” All authors maintain
certain levels of symbolism and structure, no matter what text one is currently
reading; therefore, if a reader has an extensive understanding of texts beyond
the one they are discussing, they will be able to comprehend the significance
of the story and have an easier time exposing the author’s symbols. If a reader understands the basic structure
of the novel, then they can begin to dive into the meat of the story. The “mythic origin or level” repeats the same
story line and creates “archetypes . . . a five dollar word for ‘pattern”
(198). The patterns continue in many
stories. “That component could be
anything: a quest, a form of a sacrifice, flight. . .setting off vibrations
deep into our collective consciousness. . .” (199). The basic elements in the
story inspire readers to go beyond just the telling of the story because they
reinforce already known elements in the novel. Since all literature interacts with one
another in order to create “one big story,” readers with significant background
on literary work can enjoy and experience readings on a different level than
the average person. By following similar
patterns, authors and readers alike are able to enjoy a story because they can
connect other reading experiences together to form a coherent understanding of
their current work.
Delaney, this is a great analysis of Foster's ideas. You have pointed out that "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" like many other books, builds upon knowledge as you go along reading it. Just as individual books gather information and gain more of a story every chapter, so does every book gain more and more influence from other authors and works from throughout history. The significance of this is extremely important, as you said earlier, the more a reader knows about other texts the more knowledge they are able to gather from another piece of literature. The more you know the more you will learn.
ReplyDeleteThis gave me new thought on this prompt and made me think about the questions in a way that I did not think that I would. I never thought about how reading many books compared to a select amount would influence my writing abilities. You have taken this chapter of "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" and shown how Foster centered his idea around the knowledge that is needed to be able to write a successful book. Also how knowledge from other writers have pushed writers of today in a different direction.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis breaks down the function of the novel flawlessly. When we first began the book many of us wondered why Foster kept tying in so many different stories we had never heard of before. What is the point of comparing two things to one another if we have no idea what they are? Exposure, that is why. Foster wants to lead by example and show us that there is a connection between pieces we would not have thought to compare. He wants to showcase the "patterns" authors follow and you brilliantly break that down in your post. There are universal "symbols and structures" authors include in their work and Foster does his job by teaching us what they are.
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