Tuesday, June 22, 2010
How to Read Literature - Chs. 18-26
Ok - this is our last set of chapters from Foster, and I think you will find them equally as interesting as the other chapters. I still want you to focus on the ideas in two chapters and apply these to works you've read, but here's your challenge: Choose one of the ideas in a text you've already discussed and analyze how an idea in this last set of chapters also applies to that example. For instance, if you talked about the journey or quest chapter, use the same example you applied to that chapter and take it a step further by applying the ideas in the "Geography Matters" chapter (19). Where did the journey take the protagonist and why are those specific locations significant according to Foster? Some of you have already discussed rivers and bodies of water; how can you connect those examples to the chapter on baptism (18)? I hope you understand what I'm asking. I still want you to comment on two new ideas, but for at least one of them, apply the idea to an example you've already used. Please let me know if you have any questions. Remember you can always email me at williamsholly@hotmail.com if you don't feel comfortable asking questions on the public blog.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In chapter twenty of Foster’s book, “… So Does Seasons”, he discusses the importance of the time of year in a story. While reading this chapter I was reminded of the passage from Pride and Prejudice, which I wrote about two weeks ago, when Elizabeth goes to visit her friend Charlotte. This part of the novel takes place during spring, March to be exact, which can be taken to signify Elizabeth’s personality at the beginning of the trip. When Elizabeth first starts out she is still a child in some ways, which is what spring signifies. She is still very carefree, independent, doesn’t want to settle down with anyone. Though this childlike presence is there at the beginning, at the end of the trip she has fallen in love with Mr. Darcy, and is ready for marriage. This is not to say that she isn’t still very independent, because, after all, that is what makes Elizabeth who she is.
ReplyDeleteChapter nineteen, “Geography Matters”, in Foster’s book can also be applied to Pride and Prejudice. Foster explains that geography does not always mean location; it can also mean people, time, or politics. Pride and Prejudice is set on the country side of England during the 1700s. If Jane Austen had chosen any other time, such as the 2000s, the Bennets would not have been so worried about forcing their daughters to marry. This is one aspect of the plot, that Jane and Elizabeth are nearing twenty and still single. The traditions of England play a huge role in this story. Also, travel plays a part in this book, because obviously they did not have cars at this time and horses and carriages took much longer to travel in. This affects the story line, because people could not just travel anytime of year, which might account for another reason that Elizabeth travels in March. This book proves that geography truly does matter.
Reading through Chapter 21, I couldn't help but remember back again through 'Lord of the Rings.' According to Foster, a known hero in a novel is mark by something different than most other people. Yes, hobbits are not like normal people due to the fact they are about 3 foot, and have feet twice the size of their hands. Yet the author is right, Tolkien picked Frodo for a reason not only because he had the courage to stand up for the job, but also because he was different from the rest. Mainly, Frodo was different in many ways than Legolas, Gimlee, or even the human companions. Though Frodo had the heart to stand up and say that he was different, and wanted to prove that a halfing such as him self can conquer any quest that any human can do.
ReplyDelete"Geography Matters," of course I'm thinking of Chapter 19, though I'm not going to use my quester chapter. Going back I thought about 'The Wizard of Oz.' Yes, I know it involves another quester I haven't mentioned, but I thought long and hard about it. Dorothy had two roads to decide on, the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, or the red brick road, towards Elphiba, the wicked witch. Though yes we all know the hero picks good at first, but note that while following the yellow brick road she had pick up her companions. A shed to the tin man, a corn feild to the scarecrow, and a forest to the lion (symbolic huh?). Though, towards the end of the novel, one does need to remember that the Wizard had given her a task to go kill the witch red path. I could go on and on by the symbols of the roads, but this is mattering on geography, but as noted these paths had a certain place in which Dorothy must travel to, to find her way home.
Reading chapter 19, "Geography Matters", Foster talks about the different reflections geography has in a novel. So now I'm thinking about Stephen King's "It" again. The location of the town of Derry is very important in this novel. For one, Derry is a town in which it rains an awful lot. So, the sewers would naturally always have water in them, which fits with the scary clown, because he lives in the sewers. Another significant attribute to the town is the fact that its a small town, where all the people know one another, and more importantly its a town where there is so many hardships. The clown isn't a cerial killer, psycho; the clown is a reflection of the town. It is a demonic-like creature that was created from the town's people's misery. So Derry, is reflected in the character Pennywise the clown.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 26, "Is He Serious? And Other Ironies", Foster discusses irony in novels and how they are underlying usually. This made me think back on "The Adeventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain. In the beginning Huck always picks on Jim, scares him with snakes and what not. Anyways, I expected them to hate one another through out the novel. However, that wasn't the case, Jim and Huck became like a family. Another irony in this relationship is that Huck "hated" black people. He would always disrespect them and curse them, and yet Huck and Jim are like father and son. The last irony I noticed in this relationship is that Huck is still a litte cruel to Jim, which is the opposite of Huck's relationship with his father. Huck's dad abuses him and treats him like an animal, and when Huck meets Jim he treats Jim like an animal. Over time though that part of the relationship changes, but I still think its ironic.
When Foster was discussing irony in chapter twenty six of How To Read Literature Like a Professor, I was reminded of my earlier post regarding violence in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice or Men. The character interaction during the story indicates that Lennie and George have a close, personal relationship. George cares for and watches over Lennie; he saves him from trouble countless times. This fact becomes incredibly ironic when, at the end of the novel, in a sudden twist, George kills Lennie to save him from his own actions. This unexpected event shocks the reader and, as I said earlier, also brings about several other emotional reactions in the reader.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter twenty three of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Foster deals with conditions of the heart and heart illnesses. He states that the heart is the “center of emotion within the body” and that “when we lose a love, we feel heartbroken.” While reading this statement, I connected the traditional idea of heart disease metaphorically to lovesickness and heartbrokenness in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Gatsby, after losing his love, Daisy, by being forced to go into the military, spends his entire life earning money in order to win her back again. This pursuit of wealth is based off Gatsby’s heart ailment—lovesickness. This idea is further seen toward the end of the novel in which, both literally and symbolically, Gatsby’s heart breaks; he is shot after losing any hope of winning Daisy back.
Foster discusses the way irony is used in literature in chapter twenty six. In my last post I was discussing Hester Prynne as a Christ figure in the Scarlet Letter. One specific point in the story that I discussed was when Hester was on that platform being punished. Now usually when somebody is set higher than others or is on a pedestal, the person is looked up to or respected for good reasons. In this book however irony is employed in the fact that Hester is being humiliated and “looked down” upon. As Foster discussed in chapter fifteen, when a character is flying or up high it is usually a good thing, but in this case Hester is at a low point in her life. This example truly reinforces Foster’s statement that “irony trumps everything.” Based on the flight chapter we would think that her being on a high platform would be good, but rather this situation in the story gives the opposite meaning.
ReplyDeleteFoster explains the roles of seasons in literature during chapter twenty of How to Read Literature Like a Professor. In John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, seasons play a vital role. As we start reading the story we find the characters in a problematic situation. They lived in Oklahoma which was in the midst of a huge drought. This area was known as the “Dust Bowl” due to the drought. As we read the story we realize that the whole story stems from this one thing. People are “dried up” and are looking for hope to which they can hold on to. Irony comes in this situation because droughts happen in summertime. Summertime is usually represented in literature as the peak of one’s life or the best time of one’s life. In this case however the reader knows that this is in fact one of the worst times for these people who live in that area. Once again the author messes with the perception of the reader and causes an opposite outcome that is different from what the reader would expect.
Foster tells us in Chapter 26: Is He Serious? And other Ironies about a Christ figure being the one to take the glory while others suffer and take the pain for themselves. I relate this chapter to the chapter earlier which speaks of characters as Christ figures that take the place of others and speak of love and brotherhood. As Foster speaks of irony, he gives an excellent example of a Christ figure who thinks not of others and love but only of himself. Foster tells us of a character that sins which is the exact opposite of the real Christ, according to the Bible. Even though this character is the farthest away from a Christ figure, or so we think, the character experiences many things that Christ encountered. The character is betrayed, is a leader of many, and is tempted. The author intended no disrespect nor tried to imitate Christ; however, this piece of literature has irony written all over it.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 25: Don't Read with Your Eyes, Foster mentions that reading with the character's eyes shows us things meant to be displayed and expressed to us that is not shown by reading just words on a page. For readers only reading words and looking at page numbers they will not experience the full effect of what the author is trying to get across. Take any one of the Hardy Boys classics and take on their role. By reading through the eyes of Joe or Frank, the reader is placed right along side Joe and Frank as a detective. By becoming a detective in any Hardy Boys classics, the reader is experiencing the creaky floors, strange neighbors, and sly suspects. Then as Joe and Frank and the readers solve the mystery, then each can take pride in the conclusion and result of the case. As one can see, only reading to just read is pointless. Read along with the characters and open new worlds every time you dive into a good book.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading Chapter 18, “If She Comes Up, It’s Baptism,” my mind immediately went back to The Old Man and the Sea. When I first discussed The Old Man and the Sea I discussed how Santiago’s fishing trip was really a quest to prove to him that he was still the man he once was. His quest helped him have a new outlook on life, a more positive one. But, his trip was not just a quest; it was also a form of baptism. Being at sea for many days and surviving helped prove to Santiago that he wasn’t just a worthless old man. As Foster discussed it was a sort of rebirth for Santiago and allowed him to be at peace. Although Santiago’s journey did not change who he was, it did change how he felt about himself.
ReplyDeleteThe chapter titled “Geography Matters” made me think of many books that I have read in the past, but the one that stood out was Touching Spirit Bear. In Touching Spirit Bear the main character, Cole, struggles greatly against his surroundings. Cole has been sentenced to live by himself on a small island in Alaska to help him cope with his anger issues. The geography of Alaska is very rough on Cole. The cold, rocky regions presents many challenges to him. In Foster’s book he says that the geography can help show isolation that a character feels. In this novel the geography is all the reader needs to feel the pain and isolation that Cole does.
In reading chapter 19: Geography matters…. I went back to my last post about A Clockwork Orange where depending on the time of day Alex the main character feels free or scared and worried. In keeping with this Alex feels safe when he is in "his" type of environment. He likes to go hang out in an old abandoned building and walk the dark side streets at night. While he is at the hospital for an injury he feels scared and can't stand the lights and the brightness of it. The places Alex goes to can either be a “character of menace” as Foster says in his book or they are character of relaxation and comfort
ReplyDeleteChapter 25: Don’t read with your eyes.. This chapter I think I reread three times because it confused me. I finally think I understand it so here’s a go at it. After reading this chapter I kind of thought about the book After again. The book After at has a school that starts off normal and then a school shooting happens and when I read this I was thinking about all the things I’ve heard about school shootings and what happen afterwards…but the book completely changes direction. Foster says to try and read as if you’re the character and not from your view. I ended up reading from my view of the book and missed the part that gives you a heads of as to what is to come.
Nice job this week. I know you'll be glad for a change of pace when we begin reading Bronte's novel, but I hope you've learned from Foster. We will apply his ideas throughout the year in class and I venture to guess that you will use the ideas he presents in your reading for years to come. I enjoyed the variety of examples, from Wizard of Oz to It to Touching Spirit Bear. You are reaching into your repertoire and finding very relevant examples. There were a few moments while I was reading your posts when I said "Oh, good," to myself because you brought up some really insightful ideas. I really liked the discussion of irony - that's one of the more difficult concepts to grasp and you'll need to be astutely aware of it during our readings in AP. I hope everyone has a fantastic 4th of July and I look foward to reading your posts on the Novel on the 12th.
ReplyDeleteHow to Read Literature...
ReplyDeleteLog 3
Claire Wyse
Chap. 20, ...So does Season
Reading this week I tried to relate a chapter to an older post of mine, and finally I did.
Jane Eyre is a Thornfield through all the seasons, but Spring stuck out the most. Foster marks Spring as happiness, growth, resserection, etc. During the month of May at Thornfield, Jane and Rochester are in love and plan to get married. Jane is happy about this and having the time of her life. She is changing and becoming more womanly. These are both examples of happiness, growth, and rebirth.
Chap. 21 Marked for Greatness
This chapter reminded me of Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea. Ernest Hemingway described Santiago as thin and gaunt, with deep wrinkles at the back of his neck. In this book Santiago is labeled 'unlucky' by other fisherman and members of the community, because he hasn't caught a fish in 84 days. I believe Santiago's physical state mirror his emotional one, were he is worn out in life. But as everyone knows, Santiago harpoons a 18 foot marlin and comes home depleted but satisfied.
Chapter 20 So Does the Season
ReplyDeleteThere would be no other season quite so apt to take the Bundrens' haphazard journey in As I Lay Dying like one wet, hot time of the year. Presumably summer, although it could be late spring, the river is flooded from a strong rain storm and the heat makes Addie's body even more odorous. Earlier in the year, most likely spring, Dewey Dell became pregnant, a way to represent new life. To make room for that new life, Addie dies. So summer represents the heat of the Bundrens' troubles throughout the novel. Generally, one wouldn't mind taking a dip in the river, but irony (ch. 26) makes the task a hassle and the cool water is very unappreciated. Summer also means for a dull time on the farm, between sowing the seeds in spring and harvesting crops in the fall, there's not much excitement other than Addie's burial. As one last reason that summer is the prime time for Bundren distress, everyone seems to be growing up. As mentioned in the chapter, summertime resembles adulthood. The older Bundren boys are really old enough to care for themselves and be independent. Dewey Dell is forced to grow up and become a mother. Even Vardaman must accept that he is no longer a child; we begin to see that he may be mentally handicapped, though.
Chapter 25 Don't Read With Your Eyes
Let's go to The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, in mid-to-later 20th century Chicago. Not just anyone can fit into the shoes of the little narrator, Esperanza. One must begin remembering the last few years before puberty, place that in a poor community so densly inhabited by Mexican-Americans that each street feels isolated. Now recall racism of the era. It wasn't much lighter for any ethnic minorities. There are also many bad people in the neighborhood, and several instances in which women could not leave their households. Now, to make it interesting, one must follow the thought processes of a young tween girl and adjust to her changing level of maturity. When one reads such a story, he or she must be careful to be Esperanza's close friend, in whom she can confide. One must drop any prejudice and understand another ethnicity, possibly relating to one's own. But one must also be mature to catch mishaps that Esperanza doesn't notice. The goal here is to hold more knowledge but still let a young girl guide you through her home. That's some very complicated shoes to fill in some instances when you just have to forget about your own personal experiences and travel with the culture around you.
Okay, so as I was reading Adam's post about the man in Alaska, I happened to be listening to "There's A Kind of Hush" by Engelbert Humperdinck (what a name!). I don't know if ya'll have heard it, but I know Claire has (on the CD with "What's New Pussycat?" by Tom Jones). Anyway, I thought about how quiet things are when it snows and it can be lonely even around here. I think Adam's reference could also apply to seasons in that case. Granted, Alaska probably only has two seasons a year at best, but I'm talking about a classic winter storm. Not only is it lonely, but the quiet of snow makes it very easy to think without distractions unless you are mesmerized by snowflakes. That special time to think can also be cleansing like rain, although I'm not sure if Cole's anger was cooled down. Then once someone has been cleansed, they can be swept by the magic of a pure, icy blanket into love. Thanks, Engelbert.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Chapter 18 one novel came to my mind, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ by Mark Twain. In the story Huck Finn runs away to get away from his drunken father. Huck was in a previous novel with his friend Tom, ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ also written by Mark Twain. After Huck Finn runs away, he joins a run-away slave, Jim, whom he knew. Together they float down the Mississippi river on their raft. Now, the Mississippi river is like rebirth to Huck. He is finally free, and he can now have his own realistic adventure aside from being a part of Tom’s romantic adventures. The Mississippi river was also a symbol of rebirth and freedom for slaves during the civil war era. Slaves could just cross the river into the “free-states” and live a new life free.
ReplyDeleteIn Foster’s novel, Chapter 19 applies to my earlier post about a quest. The Joad family travels to California in the novel ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ by John Steinbeck. The Joad family chose California to escape from the historical Dust Bowl that destroyed the majority of crops and homes where they lived. Oklahoma was in the middle of a drought and a Depression from the stock market crash and the poor economy. The family travels to California in search of a “promised-land.” California, at the time, had better work opportunities and farms to work on that weren’t affected by a drought. California had work, farms, and a new life. Well, the Joad family went to California and became horribly disillusioned. Geography matters in a character’s quest because why would they travel there? What’s the land like? The Joad family thought California was an Eden compared to the terrible conditions of Oklahoma.
Mrs. Hollifield,
I am sorry about the late post. I have been on vacation. I am really enjoying the assignment.
Maggie Elsey
Chapters 18-26
ReplyDeleteFor me, this assignment has definitely been the most challenging because we have to relate it back to our previous ideas while so many new ones are popping into our heads. As I mentioned in my first blog, the Bundren's went on a treacherous quest during a flooding period. Addie's death relates to geography and season of this book. The flooded river, as part of the geography came sudden like death often does. This flooding and rain adds to the toil of their quest as many times the death of a family member can alter or traumatize people in different situations. Rainy seasons or flood stages like this help carry the mood of the book for the most part; gloomy, depressing, etc.
Of course Irony is everywhere in literature, so I decided to relate this topic back to Hester being a Christ-like figure. Although Hester grows tremendously though out the book and is perceived as becoming a better person, others do not see things the same way. Yes, Hester has many Christ-like qualities, but the irony is that she is a sinner and a savior to no one really but maybe Pearl. This may be stretching it a little but Hester's letter A is a permanent marking always on her body. So, for this relative purpose it is a scar. Foster talks in the chapter Marked for Greatness about how scares and/or deformities can be a symbol of several different aspects relative to that individuals life. This Scar if you will, reaches into several points of Herter's life as its meaning changes from adultery to being able and by my own conception, to being alone.
Geography is very important in Nicholas Sparks’ “True Believer.” Remember the cemetery I mentioned in my last post? You know the cemetery with the mysterious lights. Well, in order for the lights to appear, several things had to be in exactly the right place. For instance, the cemetery had to be sinking, the fog had to appear in the cemetery, it had to be a clear night, the train had to be at the local factory, and the light had to reflect off the train. There are five variables that could have drastically changed the story had one been absent. This leads me to believe that Sparks wanted readers to see more than just geography; he wanted us to realize the rarity of this supernatural activity that brought hope and comfort to those who saw it.
ReplyDeleteReading how Jared related Chapter 23 to Gatsby’s love for Daisy made me think of Grandma Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath.” As you know, Grandpa Joad passed away during the Joads’ trip to California. Unfortunately, Steinbeck allows his readers to see how Grandpa Joad’s death effects his wife. After reaching California, Grandma Joad eventually passed away. Although she was old, Grandma Joad was perfectly healthy before the death of her husband. The emotional pain made her lose the will to continue living.
While reading chapter 19, Geography Matters, I began to think about my previous posts, and related back to the Crucible. Arthur Miller wrote the story based off of how ridiculous McCarthyism was and the paranoia it created. He chose the geography of Salem Massachusetts. The geography of Salem contains an isolated village with people who become paranoid and fearful of each other. This geography contributes to the fear of witchcraft in Salem, because the people live in an isolated town. The fear, paranoia, and the fact that the whole thing is ridiculous all wouldn’t have happened without the geography. In conclusion without the right geography, Miller’s story wouldn’t have the effect is has.
ReplyDeleteThe Scarlet Letter comes to mind after reading chapter 26, which deals with irony. There is Hester who is everyday publicly humiliated wearing an A on her chest. She committed adultery, had a child, and the whole town looks down at her. Then there is Reverend Dimmesdale, a preacher of the town and a figure everyone admires and looks up to. The ironic part is that Dimmesdale was Hester’s lover, and the father of the child. It’s ironic because here is this man that the town respects and loves his sermons, yet he committed adultery, one of the most frowned upon things in their society.
Sorry it took so long to post, i have been out of town!
In chapter 19, Foster talks about how geography affects the novel as a whole and what it may reveal about the characters. In Lucia St. Clair Robson’s Ride the Wind, the main character, Cynthia (now renamed to Nadua meaning "keeps warm with us"), leaves her original tribe to live with her husband, Wanderer. While her original tribe lived in the thick forests of northern Texas, her husband wanders (thus the name) over the “Staked Plains” farther north of where Nadua used to live. Although at first she felt exposed in these wide open plains, she later realized the kind of freedom it offered and embraced freedom as her main goal in life trying to help the Indians get rid of the Texans pushing them out of their tribal lands.
ReplyDeleteWhen Foster spoke of irony, the book, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, came to mind right away. This book is full of irony, making sure that the reader can’t guess the next move of the main character. As Chris McCandless (protagonist) sets out on his journey to find himself, he leaves everything behind: his successful future in college and career, his well-to-do family, he burns his money, and leaves his car only to find himself in major need of the things he left behind. But that doesn’t stop him on his “quest”- he continues to tramp all over the country and finally decides to make one last destination for himself before he decides to settle down in Carthage, South Dakota. When he goes to Alaska, he prepares himself very poorly and begins to have a really hard time surviving there. Once he finally decides that he had enough of it all, he tries to get out, but realizes that he has stayed too long and ends up losing his entire life (even though he originally went to find it in the first place).
Here is the second installment of my belated posts for
ReplyDeleteHow to Read Literature like a Professor Chapters 18-26
In my first post on this novel I discussed the chapter "It's Greek to Me", and used Mr. Rochester to allude to Tiresias, the blind prophet. What a coincidence that one of these chapters just so happens to be about blindness. As I spoke of earlier, Mr. Rochester was blinded in a fire that his ill wife Bertha set on their Thornfield Manor. His blindness may have been somewhat of a punishment for what he had tried to do to Bertha; get married to another woman. It may have ironically been a way for Mr. Rochester to "see" what wrong he was trying to do and allow him to recognize and fix it. This blindness and wiseness bestowing effect it had on him, allowed for Bronte to slip Jane back into his life, rewarding him with partial vision upon the birth of his new child.
In Chapter 25, "Don't Read with Your Eyes", I can relate to the point that Foster is trying to convey. In every novel that I read, I love to pretend that I am there and sometimes get lost in the world that I have created from the book I am reading. I set myself in the time period and take in every word that the author uses to describe the setting and feelings of the characters. I use my judgment and the essence of the characters to infer things that have happened, are happening, or will happen. With this mindset, I can better feel what the character is bringing to the story and begin to understand the different emotions that are conveyed. Each emotion, whether happy or sad, and yes sometimes it is just that simple, can be drawn out as completely different, depending on where and when you are. The book I alluded to in my former post was The Grapes of Wrath. The time period of this novel could be seen as the toughest in our American history and is one that takes a lot of dedication to bring yourself back into and experience the Joads' ray of different emotions that take place throughout. If I did not place myself in the rural and "hard-time" depression setting, I would not be able to feel the heart-ache of Ma as she looks at her family, or experience the grief of Rose of Sharon as she loses her baby. Nor would I be able to eat, breathe, and sweat with this family as they embark on their arduous journey west. If you only read the words on a page you are missing that next dimension and a whole world of opportunities that gives you, as the reader, this sensation of examining an unknown facet of life.