How To Read Literature Like A Professor Notes By Chapter

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide

Thomas C. Foster's "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" is a beloved guide for navigating the complexities of literary analysis. This comprehensive guide breaks down the book chapter by chapter, providing a deeper understanding of Foster's key concepts and how to apply them to your own reading. This in-depth analysis will equip you with the tools to appreciate literature on a much richer, more meaningful level.

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

Foster kicks off his book by establishing a fundamental literary device: the quest. He explains that a quest, in its simplest form, involves a quester, a place to go, a stated reason to go there, challenges and trials, and a real reason to go there. The stated reason is often superficial, masking a deeper, more significant purpose related to self-discovery or transformation.

• Key takeaway: Identifying the quest structure in literature helps us understand the character's motivations and the underlying themes. Don't just look for literal journeys; consider metaphorical quests involving emotional or spiritual growth. Think about The Odyssey, where Odysseus's stated goal is to return home, but the real quest is his struggle for self-discovery and redemption.

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

Communion, in literature, extends far beyond a religious context. Foster argues that sharing a meal is a powerful symbol of intimacy, connection, and shared experience. It's a literary device used to suggest camaraderie, understanding, or, conversely, conflict and tension.

• Key takeaway: Pay attention to the types of food, the setting of the meal, and the reactions of the characters involved. A shared meal can signify harmony, but a disrupted meal might foreshadow conflict or a breakdown in relationships. Consider the significance of the Last Supper in Christian theology, or the symbolic weight of a shared meal in a novel focusing on reconciliation.

Chapter 3: Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires

This chapter expands on the idea of symbolic representation. Foster explains that the vampire figure transcends the literal creature of the night; it represents exploitation, selfishness, and the draining of life force. This archetype can manifest in many forms, from physical vampirism to emotional manipulation.

• Key takeaway: Vampires in literature are rarely just about blood-sucking. Look for characters who exploit others, sucking the life, energy, or innocence from their victims. Consider figures who are selfish, manipulative, or exhibit a disregard for others' well-being. This archetype can appear in many guises, from the seductive predator to the seemingly benign but subtly parasitic individual.

Chapter 4: If It's Square, It's a Sonnet

This chapter emphasizes the importance of form and structure in literature. Foster uses the sonnet as an example, highlighting how the form itself contributes to the poem's meaning and effect. He expands this to encompass other forms, demonstrating that understanding the structure is key to appreciating the work’s artistry.

• Key takeaway: Understanding the literary form allows you to better interpret the author's intention and appreciate the artistry involved. Analyzing the structure – be it the sonnet’s rhyme scheme, the novel’s chapter divisions, or the play’s dramatic structure – helps reveal deeper meaning. Consider the impact of a specific stanza structure on a poem's emotional resonance or the effect of a non-linear narrative on a novel’s theme.

Chapter 5: Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?

This chapter discusses the pervasive use of archetypes and allusions in literature. Foster argues that recognizing these references enriches our understanding of the text and adds layers of meaning. He explores how allusions to mythology, biblical stories, and other well-known works can enhance a literary piece.

• Key takeaway: Familiarize yourself with common literary archetypes and allusions. Understanding these references will deepen your interpretation of the text. Recognizing allusions can unlock hidden meanings and connections between seemingly disparate works of literature. Consider how a character's resemblance to a mythological figure might shed light on their actions and fate.

Chapter 6: When in Doubt, It's Shakespeare

Shakespeare's influence on literature is undeniable. Foster emphasizes the countless ways in which writers have borrowed, adapted, and alluded to Shakespeare’s work. Recognizing these intertextual connections significantly enhances our understanding of literary texts.

• Key takeaway: Being aware of Shakespeare's pervasive influence can enhance your reading experience. Familiarize yourself with his major works and common themes. Look for parallels, echoes, and allusions to Shakespeare in the texts you read. Consider how a seemingly modern play might subtly echo the themes or language of Hamlet or Macbeth.

Chapter 7: ...Or the Bible

Similar to Shakespeare, the Bible’s influence is pervasive in literature. Foster explores the numerous ways biblical allusions enrich literary works. Understanding biblical stories and their symbolic meaning can greatly improve your literary analysis.

• Key takeaway: Familiarize yourself with major biblical stories and their symbolic significance. Recognize how these allusions add layers of meaning to literary works. Understanding the symbolism of characters like David and Goliath, or allusions to the Garden of Eden, can greatly deepen your comprehension of the text.

Chapter 8: Hanseldee and Greteldum

This chapter focuses on the importance of fairy tales and folklore in literature. Foster explains how these stories provide a common cultural vocabulary that writers often draw upon. Understanding these narratives helps illuminate themes and character motivations.

• Key takeaway: Understanding fairy tales and folklore expands your capacity for literary interpretation. Recognizing allusions to these stories will help you identify themes and interpret character motivations. Consider the ways a contemporary novel might use Hansel and Gretel's story to explore themes of innocence lost, or how Cinderella's tale can symbolize overcoming adversity.

Chapter 9: It's Greek to Me

Classical mythology provides a rich tapestry of archetypes and symbols that continue to resonate in contemporary literature. Foster highlights the enduring relevance of Greek myths and their impact on storytelling.

• Key takeaway: Familiarize yourself with key figures and narratives from Greek mythology. Their impact on literary themes, character development, and symbolism is significant. Recognizing allusions to Greek myths can provide crucial insights into the meaning and purpose of a literary work.

Chapter 10: It's More Than Just Rain or Snow

This chapter emphasizes the symbolic significance of weather in literature. Foster demonstrates how weather patterns are rarely simply descriptive; they often serve as literary devices that reflect the emotional states of characters and foreshadow events.

• Key takeaway: Weather in literature rarely serves purely as a descriptive element. Instead, it often holds symbolic weight. Consider the connotations of rain (sadness, cleansing), snow (purity, isolation), or storms (turmoil, chaos).

Chapter 11: Is That a Symbol?

This chapter directly tackles the question of symbolism in literature. Foster argues that symbols are rarely simple, one-to-one correspondences; they are complex and multi-layered, inviting multiple interpretations.

• Key takeaway: Understand that literary symbols are rarely straightforward. Consider the context, the author's style, and the overall themes of the work to interpret symbols effectively.

Chapter 12: It's All Political

Foster argues that nearly all literature is, in some way, political. Even seemingly apolitical works engage with power dynamics, social structures, and ideologies.

• Key takeaway: Consider the social and political context in which a work was written and received. Examine how power structures, social inequalities, and political ideologies influence the narrative.

Chapter 13: Yes, She's a Christ Figure, Too

This chapter explores the frequent use of Christ figures in literature. These figures aren't necessarily explicitly religious; they embody characteristics associated with Christ, such as self-sacrifice, redemption, and compassion.

• Key takeaway: Be aware of the common attributes of Christ figures in literature and how they function within the narrative. Look for characters who exhibit traits of suffering, compassion, and redemption.

Chapter 14: Flights of Fancy

Flight, in literature, represents freedom, escape, and transcendence. Foster discusses the symbolic weight associated with flight and the diverse ways it manifests in literature.

• Key takeaway: Consider the metaphorical meaning of flight in different contexts. Is it a literal escape from danger, a spiritual ascension, or a symbolic representation of freedom?

Chapter 15: It's All About Sex...

Foster explores the pervasive presence of sexual symbolism in literature, even in works that appear to be devoid of explicit sexual content. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the subtle and complex ways sexuality is represented.

• Key takeaway: Understand that sex in literature can be expressed symbolically, not just explicitly. Consider the metaphorical implications of sexual imagery and its contribution to the overall meaning of the text.

Chapter 16: ...Except Sex

This chapter builds upon the previous one, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between literal and symbolic representations of sex. Foster encourages readers to examine the nuances and subtleties of sexual symbolism.

• Key takeaway: Learn to discern between literal descriptions of sex and the symbolic use of sexual imagery.

Chapter 17: If She Comes Up, It's Baptism

Baptism, in literature, often represents a transformation or rebirth. Foster explains how immersion in water symbolizes cleansing, renewal, and a change in identity.

• Key takeaway: Recognize the significance of water imagery and how it can symbolize a character's transformation or spiritual rebirth.

Chapter 18: Geography Matters...

Geography plays a vital role in shaping literary works. Foster emphasizes the impact of setting, landscape, and environment on characters and narrative development.

• Key takeaway: Pay attention to the geographical context of a literary work. Consider how the setting contributes to the overall meaning and themes.

Chapter 19: ...So Does Season

Similar to geography, season carries significant symbolic weight. Foster highlights the cultural and literary associations linked with each season and their implications for literary interpretations.

• Key takeaway: Consider the symbolic implications of seasons (spring: birth, summer: passion, autumn: decline, winter: death) in interpreting literary works.

Chapter 20: Marked for Greatness

This chapter examines the importance of physical marks and deformities in literature. These physical attributes are often symbolic, carrying significant meaning beyond the literal.

• Key takeaway: Consider the symbolic significance of physical marks and deformities in characters. They are rarely merely descriptive; they often contribute to character development and thematic exploration.

Chapter 21: He's Blind for a Reason, You Know

This chapter discusses the symbolic use of blindness in literature. Blindness rarely refers solely to a physical condition; it often represents a deeper lack of perception or understanding.

• Key takeaway: Recognize the multiple layers of meaning associated with blindness in literature. It can represent physical impairment, intellectual limitation, or spiritual blindness.

Chapter 22: It's Never Just Heart Disease...

This chapter focuses on the symbolic use of illness in literature, emphasizing that heart disease, in particular, often represents emotional or spiritual suffering.

• Key takeaway: Understand the symbolic use of heart disease and other illnesses in literature. They often represent deeper psychological or spiritual issues.

Chapter 23: ...And Rarely Just Illness

This chapter extends the previous one, highlighting the diverse ways illness can function symbolically in literary works.

• Key takeaway: Consider the multitude of symbolic possibilities associated with different types of illnesses in literature.

Chapter 24: Don't Read with Your Eyes

Foster concludes by reminding readers to approach literature with empathy and understanding, recognizing the author's intention and cultural context.

• Key takeaway: Read actively, engaging with the text and its nuances. Consider the context in which the work was written and received.

By understanding these key concepts outlined in each chapter of "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," you will develop the skills to analyze literary works more deeply and meaningfully, opening up a richer appreciation for the art of storytelling. Remember to practice these principles in your own reading, actively seeking out the symbolic layers and deeper meanings hidden within the texts. This guide provides the foundation; your own engagement with literature will be the key to mastering the art of literary analysis.