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Analyzing literature like an English professor
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1. The first three chapters of How to read Literature like a Professor demonstrate multiple examples of how common situations that are interpreted as simple and denotative actually are symbols. Foster demonstrates how the misconception that the purpose of a journey is the its destination is false, the real reason being "self knowledge" acquired through the journey itself. Furthermore, he states that a meal shared with someone is most likely a communion, showing the trust the individuals participating have in each other. He further elaborates by explaining that sharing something as personal as eating is only reserved to people closest to him because hardly is anyone going to dine with a stranger. Moreover, the author addresses that vampires and the like are in reality symbols of a human's darker traits. He illustrates that Victorian writer could not write about certain subject explicitly, so disguised many beneath figurative language. To conclude, the section highlights the deceiving appearances of writing, and that even though literature has many occult statements, certain patterns of deception can be recognized. After stating his stance of how vampirism is symbolic, Foster writes "So vampirism isn't about vampires?" (16). His use of apophora is to provide means to give a concession as if he was arguing to the reader his opinion. He takes a persuasive tone of writing to his book because he is aware of how most audiences would react to his text, with disbelief due to their inexperience. Conclusively, this demonstrates the skill of the author as it exemplifies that he is completely aware of his audience which is expected as he is an English professor. 2. In the fourth through sixth chapters of How to Read Literature Like a Profes... ... middle of paper ... ...erary devices; Contrastingly, the second point of view is to become sympathetic with the characters and indulge in the culture of the text, which is most effective when used on foreign or historical stories. In addition, the author stresses the importance of irony as it is a profound literary device that is hard to find for some and usually brings about divine truth, the theme. He then brings various elements of previous chapters to demonstrate ironic situations such as showing betrayal followed by dining together which he has shown. Foster’s final bold statement, “irony trumps everything.” defines his mastery of English by acknowledging the chaotic nature of the subject which his guide can only wish to fathom (244). Consequently, he proves that his previous teachings only go so far as irony as it completely disproves them because it is “the least expected result”.
After reading the opening chapters, I was surprised by the laid back, casual attitude Foster displayed. He did not go about explaining certain aspects of previously written novels in a way that was hard to understand. Foster explained things in great deal, but in good taste. He did not go on with boring information; he simply got his point across in a way that made me want to know more. Not only was his way of thinking and expressing his thoughts interesting, but the subjects he tapped into were interesting also. Foster connected things that surround our average day lives to literature, and the effect it brings to the literature. For example, Foster discusses vampires in on of the first few chapters. The majority of people have seen numerous movies about vampires, making it easy to connect with what he was talking about. His overall tone and strategy of writing was relatable and the least bit overwhelming, which quickly grabbed my attention and made me interested in things I would not normally be interested in.
In this chapter, Foster discusses irony. When Montresor is attempting to bring Fortunato into his catacombs, he makes several ironic statements. For example, he says that Fortunato’s “health is precious” (Poe 868). As well as this, Fortunato himself states that he “shall not die of a cough” (Poe 868). These two statements are ironic because Montresor is pretending to care about Fortunato’s health and life, when in reality, he is about to kill him. To add to this, Fortunato admits that he won’t die from a cough, unbeknown to the fact that he will instead die from his friend. Also, another ironic part of the story is the fact that Fortunato came to the catacombs for wine, but his own intoxication led to how easily he was killed. If it hadn’t been Carnival, and if he hadn’t been so heavily drunk, he might have been able to at least attempt to escape his inevitable death. Also, if he had been sober, he may have realized how foolish it was to follow Montresor to the catacombs when his story wasn’t exactly adding up. These are a few examples of irony in “The Cask of Amontillado.”
The novel is nurtured with a very soft but sophisticated diction. The essay itself portrays the author’s style of sarcasm and explains his points in a very clear manner. In addition, the author has used vocabulary that is very easy to understand and manages to relate the readers with his simplistic words. The author is able to convey a strong and provoc...
In conclusion, many examples are given throughout the novel that exemplifies all three types of irony: situational, verbal, and dramatic. There are many more examples, like Bernard wanting attention and John’s suicide. His suicide can be an example of irony, with the reader hoping that John (the revolutionist) might succeed, but John taking his own life. Irony plays a huge role in the book, pointing out that no society can be perfect and that some laws are broken by the creators themselves.
All forms of literature consist of patterns that can be discovered through critical and analytical reading, observing and comparing. Many patterns are discussed in the novel, How to Read Literature like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster. Among these patterns, he discusses the use of symbolism and the representation something can have for a different, underlying aspect of a piece of literature. These symbols tend to have multiple meanings and endless interpretations depending on who is reading and analyzing them. No matter
reflects upon the theme of the novel. As it highlights the fact that if people in the society
Westwood, M. “What are examples of Verbal, Situational< and Dramatic Irony in ‘The Story of an Hour.’” E-Notes. E-Notes, Inc., 30 Sept 2013. Web. 17 March 2014
Some literary works exhibit structural irony, in that they show sustained irony. In such works the author, instead of using an occasional verbal irony, introduces a structural feature which serves to sustain a duplicity of meaning. One common device of this sort is the invention of a naïve hero, or else a naïve narrator or spokesman, whose invincible simplicity or obtuseness leads him to persist in putting an interpretation on affairs which the knowing reader—who penetrates to, and shares, the implicit point of view of the authorial presence behind the naïve persona—just as persistently is called on to alter and correct. (Abrams, 90)
Irony is defined as words or actions that convey a reality different from appearance or expectation. The use of such device in the story gives it humor and wit. The continuous use of irony is detected through style, tone and the use of exaggeration from Montresor, the narrator. From the start we can blatantly see the irony in the story. The name Fortunato implies that this man is of good luck, when in actuality he was about to face the end of his life. The setting itself in which the story takes place also contains an ironic element. It is during Venice’s Carnival that the characters meet. Carnival is supposed to be a time of celebration and happiness for everybody. However, in the tale it is a time for revenge and death. The mood changes drastically when the two characters leave the carnival for the d...
People read literature an abundance of times, but yet many don’t actually undergo the appreciation of the novel. Some overlook pieces of the novel and consider it insignificant to the whole story because those readers are inexperienced. The book, How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, allows readers and students to fully comprehend the meaning behind the book, making them assured to read “like a professor”. Letting the reader to go further in depth surely helps their analytical thinking to flourish. Having no boundaries when analyzing, Foster sure provided plenty of creative imagination discussing about archetypes and how we should consider the character’s perspective.
Tolman, Kelly. “Cask of Amontillado Irony.” The Cask of Amontillado. n.p., 21 May 2011. n.pag. Web. 6 Nov. 2011 .
In trying to show this however, it is necessary to first establish a viable alternative to the notion that those who fail to "get" irony are inferior and less sophisticated than those who do. This is to undermine a rather insidious line of logic that consequently supports o...
While reading through any piece of literature, understanding why the author chose the words they use is very important. Through different techniques the author will choose words that have an underlying meaning to them. While it is imperative that you read and understand the words straight from the page, it is equally as important to analyze and understand exactly what they mean. Using external sources to understand the setting and culture in which the author lived, as well as contextual clues in the reading is necessary to get a full understanding of any piece of literature. Specifically, this paper will be looking at Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein through different interpretations. Themes and symbolism are two of the most important aspects that authors use to convey deeper meaning, and is vital to the reader’s full understanding of the literature.
In conclusion, the author’s choice of utilizing the third person narration is what provided the high level of ignorance, as the voice concentrated on the protagonist husband. It brought the reader to the place of how inadequately the husband treated the wife and how he was oblivious of how his actions affected her. The reader is also able to envision that the protagonist is not cognizant that he is not being truthful to himself. It permits the reader to realize the how boring, prideful, thoughtless, and insensitive the protagonist is overall.
Within this dark and dreary world where we so happen to find things that stand in our way and throw a wrench into all of the plans that we have made to appease ourselves. These simple, seemingly ordinary things can turn a whole world into nothing but rubble. The worst thing about these irritating interlopers is the very fact that almost every time, without fail, they turn out to have some sinister and humorous irony about themselves. That irony can sometimes make life far too hard for some people to bear. But some people don’t have to for long. Many authors have written tremendous novels based on dark irony and those malicious things in this world. So very many of them have succeeded in portraying this irony perfectly, and that tells you how very horrible that irony truly is. The famous short story author, Saki, told a very grim and ominous story called, The Interlopers. In this gloomy story of his, he uses irony to the very greatest of its potential and in the very last moments, he used dark imagery to show two men seemingly being served justice, but one can be lead to think otherwise.