How To Read Literature Like A Professor Chapters

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Deep Dive into the Chapters

Thomas C. Foster's "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" is a beloved guide for anyone looking to elevate their understanding and appreciation of literature. This book isn't about memorizing literary terms; it's about learning to see how these elements work together to create meaning, enriching your reading experience exponentially. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key concepts explored in each chapter, providing further context and examples to solidify your understanding.

Chapter 1: Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It's Not)

Foster kicks off his book by introducing the ubiquitous quest narrative. A quest, he explains, isn't simply a physical journey; it's a metaphorical one, representing the hero's internal transformation. The essential elements are a quester, a place to go, a stated reason to go there, challenges and trials en route, and a real reason to go there. The stated reason often masks the deeper, truer purpose of self-discovery or overcoming a personal flaw.

Examples: Think of Bilbo Baggins' journey in The Hobbit, seemingly a quest for treasure but ultimately a quest for self-acceptance and courage. Or consider Frodo's journey in The Lord of the Rings, a quest to destroy the One Ring that is deeply intertwined with his own personal growth and understanding of good versus evil. Even seemingly simple stories, like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, can be interpreted through the lens of the quest narrative, with Alice's journey symbolizing her exploration of the complexities of growing up.

Why it matters: Understanding the quest narrative helps readers decode the underlying meanings of stories, going beyond the surface-level plot to uncover deeper thematic concerns. It allows for a more nuanced interpretation, recognizing the symbolic power of journeys and their connection to character development.

Identifying Quests in Your Reading

When approaching a text, ask yourself: What is the stated reason for the journey? What are the challenges faced by the protagonist? What is the real reason, the underlying transformation the character undergoes? By actively seeking these answers, you'll begin to recognize the pervasive nature of the quest narrative in literature.

Chapter 2: Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion

Foster introduces the concept of communion, not necessarily as a religious act, but as any sharing of food or drink that represents more than mere sustenance. Such acts represent a connection between characters, and their significance lies in their ability to reveal deeper relationships and emotional states.

Examples: The Last Supper in the Gospels is a prime example, symbolizing the bond between Christ and his disciples while foreshadowing his sacrifice. Consider the shared meals in The Lord of the Rings, signifying camaraderie and shared purpose among the fellowship. Even a simple cup of tea shared between characters can represent intimacy and understanding.

Why it matters: Recognizing acts of communion in literature allows for a deeper understanding of the relationships between characters. The act of sharing food becomes a powerful symbol, often revealing underlying tensions, alliances, and unspoken emotions.

Spotting Communion in Literature

Look for instances of characters sharing food or drink. Consider the context, the setting, and the relationship between the characters involved. What is the significance of the shared food or drink beyond its literal meaning?

Chapter 3: Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires

This chapter moves beyond the literal vampire to encompass a broader range of symbolic "vampire" figures. These characters aren't necessarily blood-suckers; they represent those who exploit, drain, or corrupt others. They exploit others' youth, beauty, or innocence.

Examples: Classic vampires like Dracula embody this, but the concept extends to characters who are emotionally manipulative, selfish, or parasitic. Consider manipulative characters in literature, those who use others for personal gain or pleasure, regardless of the consequences.

Why it matters: Recognizing the "vampire" archetype allows readers to identify power dynamics and the exploitation of innocence within narratives. It highlights the darker side of human nature and the insidious ways in which individuals can harm others.

Recognizing Symbolic Vampires

When reading, consider which characters display signs of vampiric behavior—emotional manipulation, exploitation, or a parasitic relationship with others. Pay attention to their motives and the impact their actions have on other characters.

Chapter 4: If She Comes Up, It's Baptism

Baptism, in literature, often represents death and rebirth, or a transformation or cleansing. It’s not limited to actual baptisms; any immersion in water symbolizes a significant change in a character's life. The character emerges from the water "new." It's a powerful symbol of change, renewal, and spiritual awakening.

Examples: The many drownings and near-drownings in literature often symbolize symbolic baptisms. Consider the significance of water imagery in novels where characters undergo significant transformations.

Why it matters: Recognizing symbolic baptism enriches our understanding of character development and transformation. It helps us to see how characters confront and overcome challenges, emerging stronger and changed.

Identifying Symbolic Baptisms

Look for instances of characters interacting with water, focusing on the context and the character's state before and after the encounter. Does the encounter result in a significant transformation or renewal?

Chapter 5: Geography Matters…

This chapter emphasizes the importance of setting in literature. Geography shapes character, influences plot, and mirrors themes. Consider the impact of the environment on the story's meaning and characters.

Examples: The desolate landscape in The Grapes of Wrath mirrors the characters' struggles. The claustrophobic atmosphere of a gothic novel often reflects the characters' inner turmoil.

Why it matters: Understanding the role of geography enriches your interpretation of the narrative, providing deeper insights into character development and thematic concerns.

Chapter 6: …So Does Season

Seasons symbolize different stages of life and different emotional states. Spring equates to childhood or youth, summer to adulthood or romance, autumn to decline and middle age, and winter to death or old age. The significance of seasonal imagery is rarely accidental.

Examples: A character's journey across seasons can reflect their personal growth or decline. Consider the symbolic use of seasons in Shakespeare’s plays, like As You Like It.

Why it matters: Paying attention to seasonal symbolism helps to deepen the understanding of the narrative's thematic concerns.

Chapter 7: Marked for Greatness

Physical marks and deformities in literature often represent deeper symbolic meanings. They aren't just physical flaws; they reflect inner struggles or character traits.

Examples: Characters with physical scars can represent past traumas or inner conflicts. The importance of physical traits often hints at symbolic meanings and character arcs.

Why it matters: Analyzing physical marks helps to understand the symbolic weight characters carry, enhancing your interpretation.

Chapter 8: He's Blind for a Reason, You Know

Blindness in literature rarely represents mere physical impairment. It often symbolizes deeper forms of blindness—moral, intellectual, or emotional.

Examples: Blind characters might represent spiritual blindness or a lack of insight. Consider the symbolic use of blindness in Oedipus Rex.

Why it matters: Understanding symbolic blindness helps in identifying characters' flaws and the themes of the work.

Chapter 9: It's Never Just Heart Disease…

Heart disease in literature transcends physical illness, symbolizing emotional or spiritual problems. It often reflects the character's emotional state or internal conflicts.

Examples: Characters struggling with heart disease often suffer from deeper emotional pains. Consider the significance of heart ailments in literature.

Why it matters: Heart disease represents a deeper, internal affliction, reflecting the character’s struggles.

Chapter 10: …And Rarely Just Illness

Illness in literature, like heart disease, often symbolizes more than just physical ailment. It reflects the character's emotional and spiritual state. The symbolic meanings of illness enrich the story and characters.

Examples: A character's illness can symbolize their struggles with guilt, depression, or societal pressures.

Why it matters: Illness rarely stands alone, often symbolizing something much more complex.

Chapter 11: Don't Read with Your Eyes

Foster emphasizes the importance of reading with an open mind, understanding different contexts and literary periods. Avoiding literal interpretations in favor of symbolic ones is crucial.

Examples: Reading a story from a modern perspective can offer unique insights, avoiding limitations of solely reading with your eyes and preconceived notions.

Why it matters: Readers should embrace cultural context and literary conventions, moving beyond a simple surface-level interpretation.

Chapter 12: Is That a Symbol?

Foster explains that nearly everything in literature can be considered a symbol. The author's intention isn't always explicit; the meaning can be derived from context and interpretation.

Examples: The symbolism of colors, objects, or settings can have various interpretations.

Why it matters: Understanding symbolism is essential to discovering deeper layers of meaning within the narrative.

Chapter 13: It's All Political

Politics in literature often extends beyond overt political statements to explore power dynamics, social inequalities, and ideological clashes.

Examples: Even seemingly apolitical stories can have implicit political messages.

Why it matters: Recognizing the political aspects of literature expands your interpretation, revealing deeper social and political critiques.

Chapter 14: Yes, She's a Christ Figure, Too

Christ figures in literature often represent sacrifice, redemption, and spiritual awakening. They don't always mirror Jesus exactly but carry similar symbolic weight.

Examples: Characters who demonstrate self-sacrifice or undergo a spiritual transformation can represent Christ figures.

Why it matters: Recognizing Christ figures enhances your interpretation and understanding of characters’ roles within the narrative.

Chapter 15: Flights of Fancy

Flight in literature often symbolizes freedom, escape, or spiritual transcendence. It's not simply a literal act of flying but often represents a deeper spiritual transformation.

Examples: Characters who fly, or dream of flying, often represent something beyond the mundane.

Why it matters: Flight in literature represents dreams, escape, and aspirations, often related to character development.

Chapter 16: Irony Trumps Everything

Irony is a powerful literary tool that creates layers of meaning and offers subtle critiques of characters and situations. It challenges assumptions and invites deeper engagement.

Examples: Situational irony, dramatic irony, and verbal irony can all contribute to the complexity of a narrative.

Why it matters: Understanding irony helps unlock the deeper meanings within the narrative.

Conclusion: Becoming a More Informed Reader

Foster’s "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" empowers readers to become active participants in the process of understanding literature. By applying the concepts discussed in each chapter, readers can uncover layers of meaning, appreciate the artistry of writing, and engage more deeply with the literary works they choose to read. The journey of literary interpretation is an ongoing one, and this book serves as an invaluable guide. By actively searching for these recurring symbols, motifs, and literary devices, you will become a more perceptive and engaged reader, capable of deciphering the nuances and subtleties of literature with an enhanced appreciation. Remember, reading literature is not just about comprehending the plot; it's about understanding the intricate tapestry of meanings woven into the text.