How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Question 1

What is the real reason a quest occurs in a piece of literature?

Answer 1

The protagonist thinks they’re going to one place but ends up learning and gaining experience. The character goes through self discovery and doing something monumental.

Question 2

Why are meals “acts of communion”

Answer 2

Eating is an act that is shared and whenever someone SHARES a meal with is someone they trust or love. If the meal ends badly it is likely that they are not close yet.

Question 3

How and why do authors use vampires symbolically in literature?

Answer 3

Vampires are used to show greed, selfishness, exploitation, power, immortality, subjugation. Often male vampires that are good looking and do not look like a vampire

Question 4

Define intertextuality and discuss its importance in literature?

Answer 4

intertextuality is when one text alludes and refers to another text to create an emotional connection with the readers based on that connection/correlation. this gives readers clues about the plot or themes of that new story so that the allusion can be reinterpreted

Question 5

How does structure aid in developing author’s purpose when writing a sonnet form?

Answer 5

because sonnets are so short and every line must be parallel to the next to create the square shape the author has to make sure to chose every word carefully. this means readers know that there is never a word in the poem put unintentionally.

Question 6

What are some reasons authors allude to Shakespeare

Answer 6

shakespeare is the creator of many popular troupes because of his plays.
romeo and juliet is also the one piece of literature that everyone knows of and knows the ending of even if they have not read the play before.

Question 7

What are some common symbols from the bible and their potential meanings in literature

Answer 7

Apples/garden of eden = temptation
baptism = redemption, new self
doves = peace
wind bread
last supper
3,6,7,12,40
cross
sacrifice

Question 8

Why do authors reference fair tales in their work?

Answer 8

we are familiar to fairy tales and many new stories made based on the fairy tale can still be recognizable despite it being new, there is existing context and hints because we knew the fairy tale before hand.

Question 9

How does one define a myth?

Answer 9

a myth is a body of story that matters and help explain themselves to themselves based on their culture within the community

Question 10

What are some reasons why an author would employ the use of rain in literature?

Answer 10

rain can symbolize new beginnings, life, and hope because water represents these things but water can also represent grief, sadness, and depression because a rainy day can often create a gloomy atmosphere.

Question 11

What is the difference between a motif and an allegory?

Answer 11

motif - a symbol that does not change throughout the story, unchanging and has same meaning throughout
allegory - a symbol that changes throughout the story and has a different meaning by the end.

Question 12

What is a one common theme in political writing?

Answer 12

it does not end well.

Question 13

What are some characteristics of a Christ Figure?

Answer 13

a man, 33-years-old, a fisher/carpenter, good with children, morally good, a maker of peace, sacrifices for others/good of all.

Question 14

If flight is used ironically what could it represent in literature?

Answer 14

when a character is trapped or isolated

Question 15

Why would an author write explicitly about sex?

Answer 15

when that detail is essential to the plot like sexual assault which shapes the character horribly and creates damage

Question 16

What purpose does baptism serve in literature?

Answer 16

used to show change in a character and the rebirth, going through a vulnerable state, realizing they almost died and will view thing differently.

Question 17

What coulda. reader infer about a character who is traveling in a direction?

Answer 17

north- freedom/opportunity
south - confinement/conflict
east - tradition/conservation
west- opportunity/openess

Question 18

What could a reader infer about a character in a story taking place in the winter time and other seasons?

Answer 18

spring - beginning of journey, new, fragile
summer - passionate, intense moments, goals met, height of life
fall - harvest of hard work, you get what you sow, preparation for winter
winter - death, resentment, age, weakness, solitude, clarity.
four seasons showing growth and passage of time/evolution of character

Question 19

What is one thing a physical mark can symbolize?

Answer 19

a characters backstory and hardship
how they are on the inside (either matching or contrasted)
character differentiation

Question 20

Why would an author have a blind character?

Answer 20

show struggle to both character and other and create tension. this blindness does not have to be literal it can be missing what is right in front of them

Question 21

What does heart disease often times represent in literature?

Answer 21

morals - karma on what they did
internal or emotional struggles
extreme feeling towards something
diminishing self confidence

Question 22

Why is it important that an illness be mysterious in origin?

Answer 22

if the readers know what illness it is then they will know how the character with the illness will end up and there is then no surprise element. the illness is often beautiful.
illnesses show mortality and personal struggles

Question 23

Why does an author use irony?

Answer 23

deflection of our experiences. stories are predictable and ironies bring attention to specific details and make the reader rethink and reanalyze the story. adds depth to the message and relays it more

Question 24

What does Foster mean by “dont read with your eyes”?

Answer 24

instead of understanding what is on the paper look for alternating ways to look at the story including different perspectives to understand better.