Summary Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Comprehensive Summary

Thomas C. Foster's "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" is a delightful and insightful guide to unlocking the deeper meanings within literary works. It's not about finding the single correct interpretation, but rather about equipping yourself with the tools to analyze texts more effectively and appreciate their richness on multiple levels. This comprehensive summary breaks down the key concepts and provides examples to illustrate Foster's points.

The Basics: Understanding the Professor's Approach

Foster argues that literature isn't just about the story itself; it's a complex tapestry woven with recurring motifs, symbols, and allusions that enrich and deepen the reader's understanding. His book acts as a Rosetta Stone, decoding the common literary devices and symbolic patterns authors frequently employ. He emphasizes that reading literature "like a professor" isn't about being pedantic or finding hidden meanings where none exist, but rather about bringing a heightened awareness and a set of analytical tools to your reading.

Key Themes and Concepts:

1. Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It's Not): Many narratives follow the classic quest structure: a hero, a destination, obstacles, and a transformative journey. However, the "quest" can be metaphorical, representing a search for self-discovery, knowledge, or purpose. Recognizing this structure allows you to analyze the character's motivations and the thematic significance of their journey. Example: Bilbo Baggins' journey in The Hobbit is literally a quest for treasure, but metaphorically a quest for self-discovery and courage.

2. Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion: Sharing a meal often symbolizes a deeper connection between characters. It transcends mere sustenance; it signifies intimacy, understanding, and shared experience. Conversely, refusing to share a meal can suggest alienation or conflict. Example: The Last Supper in the Gospels symbolizes both communion and impending betrayal.

3. Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires: Vampirism is far more than just a genre; it's a potent metaphor for exploitation, selfishness, and the corruption of innocence. Foster expands this beyond the literal vampire, encompassing figures who drain the life force (emotional, spiritual, or physical) from others. Example: A manipulative boss who exploits their employees for their own gain exemplifies the vampire archetype.

4. If She Comes Up, It's Baptism: Drowning scenes are incredibly symbolic. Death and rebirth, often linked to spiritual cleansing or a transformative experience, are common interpretations. A character's immersion in water frequently symbolizes a profound shift in their identity or spiritual state. Example: The baptism of Christ in the New Testament represents his entry into his ministry.

5. Geography Matters…: Setting isn't merely background scenery; it's integral to the story's meaning. Consider the significance of landscapes, weather patterns, and even the geographical location of events. The physical environment often reflects the emotional or psychological state of characters. Example: The desolate landscape of The Grapes of Wrath mirrors the emotional and economic hardship of the Joad family.

6. …So Does Season: Seasons commonly carry symbolic weight. Spring often represents birth, summer maturity, autumn decline, and winter death. The author's choice of season can greatly influence the mood and thematic development of the story. Example: The winter setting of The Great Gatsby emphasizes the coldness and isolation of the characters' lives.

7. Marked for Greatness: Physical imperfections or scars often symbolize deeper flaws or moral weaknesses, but can also represent strength, resilience, or a unique identity. Authors frequently use physical marks to hint at a character's internal struggles or destiny. Example: Quasimodo's physical deformity in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame reflects the societal prejudice he faces.

8. He's Blind for a Reason, You Know: Blindness isn't just a physical impairment; it symbolizes lack of insight, moral deficiency, or spiritual unawareness. Characters who are blind (physically or metaphorically) often represent a deeper truth about the human condition. Example: Oedipus Rex's blindness is both literal and figurative, representing his inability to see the truth about his actions.

9. It's Never Just Heart Disease…: Physical ailments often symbolize deeper emotional or psychological issues. Heart disease, for example, frequently represents emotional pain, loneliness, or moral decay. Example: The frequent references to heart issues in Shakespeare's plays often signify emotional turmoil or impending doom.

10. …And Rarely Just Illness: Similarly, other illnesses are symbolic rather than merely physical conditions. They can signify spiritual corruption, moral decay, or psychological damage. The author uses illness to explore the deeper complexities of human experience. Example: Tuberculosis in 19th-century literature often represents societal decay and the fragility of life.

11. Don't Read with Your Eyes: Foster emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of the text. You must consider the time period in which it was written, the author's background, and the prevailing societal attitudes. Reading with “today’s eyes” can lead to misinterpretations.

12. Is That a Symbol?: Symbols are rarely straightforward. They carry multiple layers of meaning, depending on the context and the reader's interpretation. Symbols are not only objects but actions, situations and events as well. The text itself provides clues.

13. It's All Political: Most literary works reflect the political climate and power structures of their time. Political ideologies and social inequalities are often woven into the narrative fabric, whether explicitly or implicitly. Understanding the political context provides insights into the author's intentions and the work's deeper significance.

14. Yes, She's a Christ Figure, Too: Characters exhibiting Christ-like qualities—compassion, self-sacrifice, redemption—are common literary devices. The parallels aren't necessarily intended to be overtly religious, but rather to suggest themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the potential for human goodness.

15. Flights of Fancy: Flight is a powerful symbol representing freedom, escape, spirituality, and transcendence. Flying scenes often suggest a character's aspirations, their liberation from constraints, or a journey into the unknown.

16. It’s Greek to Me: Understanding the allusions to Greek mythology and other classical literature enriches your understanding of the text. Authors often use these allusions to lend depth, resonance, and complexity to their narratives.

17. One Story: Foster argues that all literature is interconnected. Stories borrow from and build upon each other, creating a vast interconnected web of narratives. Understanding this interconnectedness allows you to appreciate the subtleties and complexities of individual works. Recognizing archetypes and recurring motifs deepens your appreciation.

18. Don’t Be a Snob: Foster encourages readers to appreciate literature across genres and styles. He stresses the importance of approaching every text with an open mind, regardless of its perceived social status or literary merit. Find what interests you.

Applying Foster's Principles: Practical Examples

Consider the iconic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Analyzing it through Foster's lens reveals multiple layers of meaning:

• Quest: Scout Finch's journey is a quest for understanding justice, prejudice, and the complexities of human nature.
• Communion: The shared meals at the Finch household symbolize family unity and their shared values despite the social turmoil surrounding them.
• Baptism: Scout's experiences, particularly her confrontation with prejudice and violence, represent a kind of baptism, transforming her understanding of the world.
• Geography: The setting of Maycomb, Alabama, reflects the social and racial tensions of the American South.
• Christ Figure: Atticus Finch embodies many Christ-like qualities through his unwavering commitment to justice and his willingness to sacrifice for what he believes in.
• Political: The novel addresses the profound political and social issues of racial inequality and injustice.

By applying Foster's framework, we move beyond a simple plot summary to a deeper appreciation of To Kill a Mockingbird's thematic complexity and lasting impact. This same approach can be applied to countless other works of literature.

Conclusion: Becoming a More Informed and Engaged Reader

"How to Read Literature Like a Professor" isn't just a guide to analyzing literature; it's a guide to engaging with it more deeply and meaningfully. By understanding the recurring motifs, symbols, and archetypes that Foster highlights, you'll gain a new appreciation for the richness and complexity of literary works. Remember, the goal isn't to find the single "correct" interpretation, but to develop your own insightful and nuanced understanding of the text through critical analysis. It's about learning to read literature not just with your eyes, but with your mind, heart and historical awareness. Armed with Foster's insights, you'll transform from a passive reader into an active and engaged participant in the literary conversation. You’ll discover that the seemingly simple act of reading literature can be a rich and rewarding intellectual adventure.