How To Read Literature Like A Professor: Summary Review
This is a summary review of How To Read Literature Like A Professor containing key details about the book.
What is How To Read Literature Like A Professor About?
"How To Read Literature Like a Professor" by Thomas C. Foster provides a practical guide to reading and analyzing literature, exploring the recurring themes, symbols, and literary devices used by writers, and helping readers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the works they read.
The book also includes sample interpretations of Katherine Mansfield's short story, "The Garden Party". The author's simple, methodical take on literary interpretation has fallen under the scrutiny of literary experts, such as the English professor and biographer Alan Jacobs, who questions the value of the book's premise and criticizes the idea that "reading is best done by highly trained, professionally accredited experts."
Summary Points & Takeaways from How To Read Literature Like A Professor
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* The importance of recognizing and understanding literary conventions and techniques such as symbolism, imagery, and metaphor.
* The role of historical and cultural context in interpreting literature, and how understanding the context in which a work was written can deepen our understanding of it.
* The recurring themes and motifs that appear in literature, and how understanding these can help readers understand the underlying meaning of a work.
* The ways in which literature reflects and comments on the human condition, and the ways in which it can be used to help us understand ourselves and the world around us.
* Tips on how to read different types of literature, such as poetry, drama, and the novel, and how to get the most out of them.
* The book is designed to be accessible to readers of all levels and provides a clear, concise introduction to the elements of literature and the art of literary analysis. Overall, the book is a comprehensive guide on how to read literature critically and appreciate it, providing readers with the tools to read thoughtfully and gain a deeper understanding of the author's message and ideas.
Who is the author of How To Read Literature Like A Professor?
Thomas Norman Foster was an Australian Pentecostal minister. He was one of the co-founders of the Christian Revival Crusade, and is also associated with British Israelism. He was invited by the London B.B.C. to do the Radio News Reel Broadcast to Australia of the Coronation procession of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.
How To Read Literature Like A Professor Summary Notes
How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Uncovering Hidden Elements in Books
What makes a book your favorite? Is it just the plotline and characters or is there more to it? In "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," readers are introduced to the idea that literature analysis goes beyond the basic level of the story. By using memory, symbols, and patterns, readers can unlock the hidden elements that make a book truly great.
Memory refers to making connections between the book being read and others that have been read before. By comparing characters and events, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the story. Symbols are also important elements to look out for, as they represent something other than themselves. By analyzing what an event, object, or place represents in the story, readers can gain insight into the author's intentions. Finally, patterns are essential in uncovering hidden meanings. Repeated details can reveal important information about the characters and the overall story.
By using these three categories, readers can become more experienced and able to tune into what happens on an emotional level in the book. Rather than just following the plot, readers can ask themselves why a certain passage made them feel a certain way or where they have seen a similar event happen before.
How a Quest Structure Shapes Countless Stories
Have you ever noticed that many stories follow a similar structure? From a knight's quest for the Holy Grail to a person's trip to the supermarket for bread, the underlying structure is the same - a quest. In this structure, a quester sets out on a journey with a stated reason to go, encounters challenges along the way, and ultimately reaches a destination where they experience an unexpected revelation.
This quest structure is a common theme in literature and can be found in many novels, altered to fit different characters and situations. For example, in Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49, a young woman embarks on a journey to carry out the will of her deceased lover. Along the way, she encounters strange characters and gets caught up in a dark conspiracy, but ultimately discovers her own independence and self-reliance.
But why is the quest structure so prevalent in literature? One reason is that it mirrors the structure of human experience. We all have goals that we strive to achieve, and we encounter obstacles along the way. The quest structure allows us to explore these universal experiences in a meaningful and relatable way.
Moreover, the quest structure can serve as a metaphor for personal growth and self-discovery. As the quester overcomes challenges and reaches their destination, they often experience a transformative revelation that changes them for the better. This can inspire readers to embark on their own quests and pursue personal growth and self-discovery.
How Intertextuality Helps Deepen the Reading Experience
In literature, no work is completely original. Every book borrows ideas from other books, consciously or unconsciously. This interaction is called intertextuality and it is a literary element that helps deepen the reading experience. By recognizing intertextual references, readers can gain a greater understanding of the themes and messages conveyed in a work of literature.
For example, in D.H. Lawrence's novella The Virgin and the Gypsy, the flood that destroys a homestead is reminiscent of Noah's flood in the Bible. This suggests that the flood in Lawrence's novel is not just a natural disaster, but also a commentary on the cleansing power of destruction. Similarly, many authors have paid tribute to Shakespeare by incorporating intertextual references to his works in their own. The musical West Side Story, for instance, is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet, while Woody Allen's film A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a nod to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
By reading widely and recognizing intertextual references, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the universal messages contained within each tale. These messages relate to the human condition and are relevant no matter the time or place in which one lives. Shakespeare is a seminal figure in English literature, and his works have inspired countless authors. However, the universality of literary themes goes beyond Shakespeare, as they can be found in works such as the Bible, folk tales, and Alice in Wonderland.
In short, intertextuality is a vital aspect of literature that allows authors to build upon the ideas and themes of their predecessors. By recognizing intertextual references, readers can gain a richer understanding of the messages and themes conveyed within a work of literature, and how they relate to the broader literary tradition.
How symbols enhance our understanding of literature
In literature, symbols play a vital role in conveying hidden messages and adding depth to a story. A symbol can be anything, from an object to an action, that represents a deeper meaning beyond its literal interpretation. Symbols can also help authors communicate taboo topics subtly in the face of censorship.
One excellent example of symbols in literature is Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, where the Mississippi River is a symbol for both danger and safety. For Jim, a slave, the river represents an escape to freedom. By using the river as a symbol, Twain creates a deeper meaning beyond its literal interpretation.
Symbols can also help authors communicate topics that may be considered taboo. In John Donne's The Flea, for instance, the flea is a symbol that represents sexual consummation between two lovers. This subtle use of symbolism allowed Donne to bypass censorship laws that prohibited him from explicitly mentioning sex.
Detecting symbols in literature is essential to understand the hidden meanings behind the story. By keeping an eye out for repeated objects or actions, readers can identify symbols in a text and explore their deeper meanings. Symbols can also enrich the reading experience and help readers understand complex ideas and themes.
How the Setting of a Story Shapes Our Perception of It
The setting of a story is a crucial element that helps establish its atmosphere and tone. It can make us feel immersed in the story or create a sense of distance. The setting can also shape our perception of a story, influencing how we interpret its characters and events. In literature, settings are not only used to establish a story, but also to form the very heart of the story itself.
From harsh, icy landscapes to lush, blooming ones, surroundings play an essential role in literature. They can evoke specific emotions and set the stage for the story's events. For instance, Edgar Allen Poe's writing illustrates this particularly well in his novel, The Fall of the House of Usher, where the setting is described as "dreary," "rank," and "vacant." By the time the characters are introduced, we're already certain that the lives they lead are bleak, grim, and gloomy.
Moreover, settings encompass the climate and weather, and seasons are often used as symbols in literature. Symbolic seasons are employed by authors to underline the message at the heart of their text. For example, in Anita Brookner's 1984 novel, Hotel du Lac, the protagonist reflects on her youth by hiding away in a resort, arriving in late September – the autumn of her life.
Thus, when we read literature, it's essential to pay attention to the setting and how it shapes our perception of the story. A good author uses the setting to immerse us in their world and make us feel as if we are part of it. The setting can be a powerful tool in the author's hands, shaping our understanding of the characters and events and evoking emotions that make the story come to life.
The Power of Irony in Literature
Irony is a powerful tool that authors use to subvert readers' expectations and communicate their ideas in surprising and often profound ways. Irony occurs when the opposite of what we expect happens, and it can take many forms, including unexpected plot twists, subverted character actions, and even ironic titles. By recognizing irony in literature, readers gain a deeper understanding of the text's meaning and can appreciate the author's skill in crafting a complex narrative. Examples of irony in literature range from Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, where the characters wait for someone who never arrives, to Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, where a war veteran sees doctors as enemies. Irony challenges readers to question their assumptions and look beyond the surface of the text, ultimately leading to a richer and more meaningful reading experience. By learning to identify and appreciate irony in literature, readers can develop their skills as critical thinkers and engage more deeply with the stories they read.
Book Details
- Print length: 314 pages
- Genre: Nonfiction, School, Books About Books
How To Read Literature Like A Professor Chapters
Chapter 1 :Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It's Not)
Chapter 2:Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion
Chapter 3:Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires
Chapter 4:Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
Chapter 5:When in Doubt, It's from Shakespeare …
Chapter 6:… Or the Bible
Chapter 7:Hanseldee and Greteldum
Chapter 8:It's Greek to Me
Chapter 9:It's More Than Just Rain or Snow
Chapter 10:Never Stand Next to the Hero
Chapter 11:More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
Chapter 12:Is That a Symbol?
Chapter 13:It's All Political
Chapter 14:Yes, She's a Christ Figure, Too
Chapter 15:Flights of Fancy
Chapter 16:It's All About Sex…
Chapter 17:… Except Sex
Chapter 18:If She Comes Up, It's Baptism
Chapter 19:Geography Matters…
Chapter 20:… So Does Season
Chapter 21:Marked for Greatness
Chapter 22:He's Blind for a Reason, You Know
Chapter 23:It's Never Just Heart Disease … And Rarely Just Illness
Chapter 24:Don't Read with Your Eyes
Chapter 25:It's My Symbol and I'll Cry If I Want To
Chapter 26:Is He Serious? And Other Ironies
Chapter 27:A Test Case
What is a good quote from How To Read Literature Like A Professor?
Top Quote: “Education is mostly about institutions and getting tickets stamped; learning is what we do for ourselves. When we're lucky, they go together. If I had to choose, I'd take learning.” (Meaning) - How To Read Literature Like A Professor Quotes, Thomas C. Foster
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "The New York Times–best-selling How to Read Literature Like a Professor is redacted for teachers of young readers. The premise behind Foster's works is that there's a "grammar of literature…a certain set of patterns, codes, and rules that we can learn to use when we're reading a piece of writing." — Kirkus Reviews
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in enhancing your personal growth, I suggest checking out my list of favorite self-development books. These books have been instrumental in my own personal development and I'm confident they can help you too.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
