I finally finished reading the book! So I will just blog and summarize the rest of the chapters here:
Chapter 24:
The illnesses are hard for me to understand and catch. I don't know much about diseases (except cholera). I didn't know so much about TB until Foster mentioned it. So, I think it's going to be hard for me to understand the symbolism behind different sicknesses.
Chapter 25:
I liked this chapter. It relates to the "Don't read things too literally" thing. I guess this just means I have to pay more attention in history class so I can have more knowledge about other cultures and past civilizations. I like the "Sonny's Blues" example. I've never read the story before, but Foster makes me want to read it to find out exactly what he's talking about when he emphasizes how the redemption in the story is the narrator's redemption, not Sonny's redemption from being an alcoholic.
Chapter 26:
I like irony. This chapter makes me want to try writing a story using irony, but it is very difficult to successfully use it. Foster helps me understand more about what irony is when he says, "What irony chiefly involves, then, is a deflection from expectation." It makes perfect sense.
Chapter 27:
This test case was a quick read compared to the rest of the book. Some things I personally noticed in the story were...
- Mentioned class differences (Laura talking to the workingmen and feeling like a working girl when she bit her bread)
- Reminded me of Eden ("...then the karaka-trees would be hidden. And they were so lovely, ... and their clusters of yellow fruit.")
- References to birds and flight (I didn't know what kind of freedom the flight symbolized.)
- The broad road reminded me of crossing the river to Hades and the people parting reminded me of Moses parting the sea.
However, I did not really understand the ending of the story. I was surprised to see that some of my thoughts were mentioned later when Foster and his students give their thoughts on the story, although I did not catch quite as many things or analyze the story as in-depth as they did.
Showing posts with label How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
How to Read Literature Like a Professor #4
Chapter 19:
One thing that attracted my attention the most was when the author mentioned that when characters go south, they do so to "run amok". I never really noticed the geography in literature. The chapter also mentions The Snows of Kilimanjaro. I still don't know if in the end, the man who suffers from gangrene goes to heaven or hell. In some ways, he is ascending to heaven but the deepest level of hell is frozen in ice, so it can be interpreted in both ways.
Chapter 20:
This chapter went over things I previously learned in English class, but it was a good refresher and gave hints to figure out what seasons mean and to look out for irony.
Interlude:
As mentioned before in the book, the author is emphasizing how there is only one story. I like this idea because it creates a sense of unity throughout the world and with our ancestors. I like how every story is about everything and about nothing. It's quite paradoxical?
Chapter 21:
I never really attributed physical markings to anything special in literature but now I finally know the importance. I like the example about Oedipus because when I read it, I didn't notice his scarred legs. It reminds me of Achilles. I wonder how his heel being his only weakness symbolizes something.
Chapter 22:
This chapter reminds me of The Odyssey and the blind prophet. It also reminds me of Slumdog Millionaire and the blind kid in the dark alleyway. They both mean about the same thing, right?
Chapter 23:
I really like the example about the two lovers, Florence and Edward, and their hidden affair from their spouses. It's interesting how a lot of authors use heart disease to create irony in their stories.
One thing that attracted my attention the most was when the author mentioned that when characters go south, they do so to "run amok". I never really noticed the geography in literature. The chapter also mentions The Snows of Kilimanjaro. I still don't know if in the end, the man who suffers from gangrene goes to heaven or hell. In some ways, he is ascending to heaven but the deepest level of hell is frozen in ice, so it can be interpreted in both ways.
Chapter 20:
This chapter went over things I previously learned in English class, but it was a good refresher and gave hints to figure out what seasons mean and to look out for irony.
Interlude:
As mentioned before in the book, the author is emphasizing how there is only one story. I like this idea because it creates a sense of unity throughout the world and with our ancestors. I like how every story is about everything and about nothing. It's quite paradoxical?
Chapter 21:
I never really attributed physical markings to anything special in literature but now I finally know the importance. I like the example about Oedipus because when I read it, I didn't notice his scarred legs. It reminds me of Achilles. I wonder how his heel being his only weakness symbolizes something.
Chapter 22:
This chapter reminds me of The Odyssey and the blind prophet. It also reminds me of Slumdog Millionaire and the blind kid in the dark alleyway. They both mean about the same thing, right?
Chapter 23:
I really like the example about the two lovers, Florence and Edward, and their hidden affair from their spouses. It's interesting how a lot of authors use heart disease to create irony in their stories.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
How to Read Literature Like a Professor #3
Chapter 15:
What I learned from this chapter: Don't be too literal when reading literature. It's hard not to take things for their face value, especially since I am not used to trying to see things as symbols of something else or searching for the author's hidden meaning behind the action or event. The only story that I can think of that has to do with flying is the myth about Icarus and Daedalus. The two of them wanted freedom from the labyrinth, which explains the author's words, "Flight is freedom."
Chapter 16:
Once again, I have learned something new about literature that I did not know about beforehand. I mean, I knew about how censorship compelled authors to use symbols to write about topics that were taboo, but I never knew what some symbols meant. I really liked the example about Ann Beattie's story "Janus" because it helped me understand the use of symbols. The past few chapters all mention Freud and his studies of the subconscious mind. I like how historical events really do affect how authors write. Freud's studies are really interesting to me and I would like to find out more about what he wrote about because it might help me understand what authors were trying to say.
Chapter 17:
Yes, I agree with the author when he says, "Drives you crazy, doesn't it? When they're writing about other things, they really mean sex, and when they write about sex, they really mean something else." It certainly baffles me, and I do not think I will be able to catch all these things anytime soon while I'm reading. Unless a list is provided, but nothing ever means exactly one thing, so that won't work either. Very frustrating, indeed.
Chapter 18:
I found this chapter particularly interesting. I do not know what Baptism is, but I kind of got an idea after reading this chapter. From what I can put together, I believe it is a religious ceremony of some sort where an individual is submerged in water, sometimes three times, and thus is reborn. I do not understand what the whole "rebirth" thing is about, except maybe about shedding sin since water cleanses (or is that only in literature?). So I guess that getting wet in rain is different from getting wet in a river or a lake. Funny how things work out... It makes me wonder who came up with all of this and decided that literature needed all this symbolism. Near the end of the chapter, there is an example that says "...at least one drown and the other fall over a cliff by the sea." It made me think of Lord of the Flies where Roger pushes a huge boulder or rock that hits Piggy, knocking him off the cliff into the rocks that are by the sea. I don't know if it has anything to do with this topic, but it makes me wonder what his death means.
What I learned from this chapter: Don't be too literal when reading literature. It's hard not to take things for their face value, especially since I am not used to trying to see things as symbols of something else or searching for the author's hidden meaning behind the action or event. The only story that I can think of that has to do with flying is the myth about Icarus and Daedalus. The two of them wanted freedom from the labyrinth, which explains the author's words, "Flight is freedom."
Chapter 16:
Once again, I have learned something new about literature that I did not know about beforehand. I mean, I knew about how censorship compelled authors to use symbols to write about topics that were taboo, but I never knew what some symbols meant. I really liked the example about Ann Beattie's story "Janus" because it helped me understand the use of symbols. The past few chapters all mention Freud and his studies of the subconscious mind. I like how historical events really do affect how authors write. Freud's studies are really interesting to me and I would like to find out more about what he wrote about because it might help me understand what authors were trying to say.
Chapter 17:
Yes, I agree with the author when he says, "Drives you crazy, doesn't it? When they're writing about other things, they really mean sex, and when they write about sex, they really mean something else." It certainly baffles me, and I do not think I will be able to catch all these things anytime soon while I'm reading. Unless a list is provided, but nothing ever means exactly one thing, so that won't work either. Very frustrating, indeed.
Chapter 18:
I found this chapter particularly interesting. I do not know what Baptism is, but I kind of got an idea after reading this chapter. From what I can put together, I believe it is a religious ceremony of some sort where an individual is submerged in water, sometimes three times, and thus is reborn. I do not understand what the whole "rebirth" thing is about, except maybe about shedding sin since water cleanses (or is that only in literature?). So I guess that getting wet in rain is different from getting wet in a river or a lake. Funny how things work out... It makes me wonder who came up with all of this and decided that literature needed all this symbolism. Near the end of the chapter, there is an example that says "...at least one drown and the other fall over a cliff by the sea." It made me think of Lord of the Flies where Roger pushes a huge boulder or rock that hits Piggy, knocking him off the cliff into the rocks that are by the sea. I don't know if it has anything to do with this topic, but it makes me wonder what his death means.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
How to Read Literature Like a Professor #2
Chapter 13:
I finally got some insight into A Christmas Carol. I have never read the book, so all I knew about it was what I saw on TV every holiday season. I think that example was a great introduction to political writing. However, I do not really understand the difference between political writing and "political" writing. I like the message of this chapter, though, about how all writing is technically "political" because the authors are writing about the world around them, which includes social events, class systems, corruption in the government, etc. It reminds me of US history because we have to have prior knowledge of what happened during the time period to truly understand what the author was trying to criticize in his or her work.
Chapter 14:
If you recall from my previous blog, I am not well-versed on Biblical allusions, so I was worried about being able to spot them. This chapter is going to be my savior when it comes to this subject because it provided a list that will give hints as to whether the character is a Christ figure. Needless to say, I learned a lot from this chapter. I liked the example about The Old Man and the Sea. I have never read it, except for an excerpt once in grade school. This chapter just explains to me why Mrs. Panosian was so in love with teaching Hemingway to us last semester.
I finally got some insight into A Christmas Carol. I have never read the book, so all I knew about it was what I saw on TV every holiday season. I think that example was a great introduction to political writing. However, I do not really understand the difference between political writing and "political" writing. I like the message of this chapter, though, about how all writing is technically "political" because the authors are writing about the world around them, which includes social events, class systems, corruption in the government, etc. It reminds me of US history because we have to have prior knowledge of what happened during the time period to truly understand what the author was trying to criticize in his or her work.
Chapter 14:
If you recall from my previous blog, I am not well-versed on Biblical allusions, so I was worried about being able to spot them. This chapter is going to be my savior when it comes to this subject because it provided a list that will give hints as to whether the character is a Christ figure. Needless to say, I learned a lot from this chapter. I liked the example about The Old Man and the Sea. I have never read it, except for an excerpt once in grade school. This chapter just explains to me why Mrs. Panosian was so in love with teaching Hemingway to us last semester.
Monday, June 21, 2010
How to Read Literature Like A Professor #1
After some confusion as to whether or not we have to blog about this book, I have decided to go ahead with it since it seems like many other students have done so already. I haven't blogged about anything I read so far, so it will just be a summary of what I have learned from chapter one to where I currently am right now- chapter twelve.
Chapter 1:
Chapter one was a surprise for me, since I discovered that the book is actually a genuinely interesting read. There was a handful of examples provided to help me understand how a character embarks on a quest for self-knowledge. It made me think about how the earliest forms of literature were all quests and about how successful these works have been, surviving up to modern times. From now on, I will try to relate literature to The Odyssey, since that is a quest I know quite well.
Chapter 2:
After reading this chapter, all I ever felt whenever I ate with friends or family was a sense of camaraderie or connection with them. I was thinking "It's just like what the book was saying! I like you/We get along so I'll eat with you." Oh and I learned what the word "communion" means.
Chapter 3:
Vampires. Finally, I got an insight into the appeal of vampires. I really had no idea about the literary meaning of vampires since all I knew about them was what I heard about from Twilight. I did not know that vampire story was about an older figure who steals the youth, energy, and virtue of a young woman. I guess there's a lot more to it than just blood-sucking.
Chapter 4:
Sonnets have always been a challenge for me, but now this book has given me a secret for recognizing them! It is intriguing how the setup of a poem gives so much hidden meaning and depth to it.
Chapter 5:
"There is only one story." That was a mind-boggling idea to read. It makes perfect sense now, after a whole chapter's worth of explanation. But I wonder how I will ever be able to figure out "where have I seen her before".
Chapter 6:
I never really enjoyed reading Shakespeare. The old English always threw me off since it was so hard to understand. I'm hoping that this year, I will do a little bit better with his work. I never knew that all those quotes were from Shakespeare. I find it quite interesting why Shakespeare's work is so popular.
Chapter 7:
This chapter taught me a lot about literature. I do not know much about the Bible, so I think it will be difficult for me to recognize Biblical allusions from the text. At least now I know some key signs: floods, plagues, calves, betrayal, etc.
Chapter 8:
This was one of my favorite chapters. Finally something I could relate to and understand-fairy tales. I like how everything is part of one big story and that everyone has had some kind of prior knowledge to this story so that they will be able to understand the portrayed ideas.
Chapter 9:
I learned why myths are so powerful. I guess it is kind of like why fairy tales are used so often. Maybe because everybody knows these myths or myths that are similar. Or because myths matter so much in cultures. Knowledge about the culture of the myths really helps in understanding literature.
Chapter 10:
This chapter reminded me of Mrs. Panosian. I can clearly recall her saying something along the lines of "What does rain symbolize? Purification! It cleanses you!" Yes. I will never forget that. Snow on the other hand... I will mark this chapter for reference for when I read Snow.
Interlude:
I have asked that question many times... Especially for the book The Great Gatsby. It's hard to believe that Fitzgerald really intended all those symbols, similes, alliteration, etc. in his work. This book says he meant it. Still hard to believe, but it's starting to click now.
Chapter 11:
I did not know that there categories for literary violence. I'm a bit confused by all this. After reading this chapter, I am curious to find out more about what the author is talking about when he explains Faulkner's work.
Chapter 12:
The biggest lesson I learned from this chapter is that a symbol can mean many different things for different people. If it meant only one thing, it would be an allegory.
Chapter 1:
Chapter one was a surprise for me, since I discovered that the book is actually a genuinely interesting read. There was a handful of examples provided to help me understand how a character embarks on a quest for self-knowledge. It made me think about how the earliest forms of literature were all quests and about how successful these works have been, surviving up to modern times. From now on, I will try to relate literature to The Odyssey, since that is a quest I know quite well.
Chapter 2:
After reading this chapter, all I ever felt whenever I ate with friends or family was a sense of camaraderie or connection with them. I was thinking "It's just like what the book was saying! I like you/We get along so I'll eat with you." Oh and I learned what the word "communion" means.
Chapter 3:
Vampires. Finally, I got an insight into the appeal of vampires. I really had no idea about the literary meaning of vampires since all I knew about them was what I heard about from Twilight. I did not know that vampire story was about an older figure who steals the youth, energy, and virtue of a young woman. I guess there's a lot more to it than just blood-sucking.
Chapter 4:
Sonnets have always been a challenge for me, but now this book has given me a secret for recognizing them! It is intriguing how the setup of a poem gives so much hidden meaning and depth to it.
Chapter 5:
"There is only one story." That was a mind-boggling idea to read. It makes perfect sense now, after a whole chapter's worth of explanation. But I wonder how I will ever be able to figure out "where have I seen her before".
Chapter 6:
I never really enjoyed reading Shakespeare. The old English always threw me off since it was so hard to understand. I'm hoping that this year, I will do a little bit better with his work. I never knew that all those quotes were from Shakespeare. I find it quite interesting why Shakespeare's work is so popular.
Chapter 7:
This chapter taught me a lot about literature. I do not know much about the Bible, so I think it will be difficult for me to recognize Biblical allusions from the text. At least now I know some key signs: floods, plagues, calves, betrayal, etc.
Chapter 8:
This was one of my favorite chapters. Finally something I could relate to and understand-fairy tales. I like how everything is part of one big story and that everyone has had some kind of prior knowledge to this story so that they will be able to understand the portrayed ideas.
Chapter 9:
I learned why myths are so powerful. I guess it is kind of like why fairy tales are used so often. Maybe because everybody knows these myths or myths that are similar. Or because myths matter so much in cultures. Knowledge about the culture of the myths really helps in understanding literature.
Chapter 10:
This chapter reminded me of Mrs. Panosian. I can clearly recall her saying something along the lines of "What does rain symbolize? Purification! It cleanses you!" Yes. I will never forget that. Snow on the other hand... I will mark this chapter for reference for when I read Snow.
Interlude:
I have asked that question many times... Especially for the book The Great Gatsby. It's hard to believe that Fitzgerald really intended all those symbols, similes, alliteration, etc. in his work. This book says he meant it. Still hard to believe, but it's starting to click now.
Chapter 11:
I did not know that there categories for literary violence. I'm a bit confused by all this. After reading this chapter, I am curious to find out more about what the author is talking about when he explains Faulkner's work.
Chapter 12:
The biggest lesson I learned from this chapter is that a symbol can mean many different things for different people. If it meant only one thing, it would be an allegory.
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