Chapter 25: Don't Read With Your Eyes
In the Black Cat, by Edgar Allen Poe, the author, William Shakespeare, tells the story about a man who originally loves animals, and then the man kills his wife and attempts to kill his cat. The man drinks alcohol a lot. Modern society would assume that the reason the man is so crazy is because of the alcohol. Yet, somebody who read the story before this century would assume that the reason he behaved this way was because he lost a part of his soul. He basically turned evil, and they would feel that he could not do anything about it. Also, there would be conflicting views about abusing the wife. Also, a person from before this century would look at the gallows as terrifying, yet a person from today would not be terrified by them.
Chapter 26: Is He Serious? And Other Ironies?
In the book Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag is a fireman with the responsibility of burning books. It is ironic because he ends up actually trying to save books in the end of the story. Throughout the course of the book, he changes his entire views. The title of the book is even ironic because paper takes to flame at 451 degrees.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
How To Read Literature Like A Professor: Chapters 22-24
Chapter 22: He's Blind For A Reason, You Know
Chapter 23: It's Never Just Heart Disease
Chapter 24: ...And Rarely Just Illness
In the book, A Walk To Remember, Jamie is sick and she is dying from leukemia. This is an important time in her life when she is sick, and as young as she is. She is in high school, and she really has not had the opportunity to live and experience life. Yet, before she dies she is blessed with the opportunity to fall in love. Landon Carter, who is known as a local trouble maker, yet actually is a wonderful person, begins to hang out with Jamie. He eventually falls head over heels in love with her, and it is because of her that he changes into a better person. The two fall in love, and yet Landon never leaves her side even when she gets really bad off. So, it is such a heart wrenching part in the story when Jamie dies because Landon really truly loved her. He married her, and they didn't get to live a small amount of time together. Her illness is important because it allows the author to develop the plot. The theme is also evolved throughout the use of her illness. True love conquers all, figuratively speaking. Although she doesn't get better, the two, despite all odds, make it together, and get married.
In the Twilight Saga, Edward is transformed from a human being into a vampire. He slowly and painfully died of influenza. Carlisle aids in saving Edward from dying by biting him, so that he can transform into a vampire. This transformation is important because the disease is symbolic of Edwards transformation. He died but he was reborn. Edward struggles with being a vampire. He feels as if he has no soul, and is a monster. He suffers on all levels humanly and as a vampire, and it just goes to show that no matter what you are you will always experience some level of pain.
Chapter 23: It's Never Just Heart Disease
Chapter 24: ...And Rarely Just Illness
In the book, A Walk To Remember, Jamie is sick and she is dying from leukemia. This is an important time in her life when she is sick, and as young as she is. She is in high school, and she really has not had the opportunity to live and experience life. Yet, before she dies she is blessed with the opportunity to fall in love. Landon Carter, who is known as a local trouble maker, yet actually is a wonderful person, begins to hang out with Jamie. He eventually falls head over heels in love with her, and it is because of her that he changes into a better person. The two fall in love, and yet Landon never leaves her side even when she gets really bad off. So, it is such a heart wrenching part in the story when Jamie dies because Landon really truly loved her. He married her, and they didn't get to live a small amount of time together. Her illness is important because it allows the author to develop the plot. The theme is also evolved throughout the use of her illness. True love conquers all, figuratively speaking. Although she doesn't get better, the two, despite all odds, make it together, and get married.
In the Twilight Saga, Edward is transformed from a human being into a vampire. He slowly and painfully died of influenza. Carlisle aids in saving Edward from dying by biting him, so that he can transform into a vampire. This transformation is important because the disease is symbolic of Edwards transformation. He died but he was reborn. Edward struggles with being a vampire. He feels as if he has no soul, and is a monster. He suffers on all levels humanly and as a vampire, and it just goes to show that no matter what you are you will always experience some level of pain.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
How To Read Literature Like A Professor: Chapters 20 and 21
Chapter 20: ...So Does Season
In this poem the author depict the negative aspects of nature in a meaningful yet unusual way. The author does not describe the beauty of Autumn, as do most authors of Autumn poems. The author writes unusually by writing about how autumn brings with it death, cold, and sadness. Yet, the author also writes meaningful even by doing so. The author is still able to communicate with the audience.
Chapter 21: Marked For Greatness
Harry's scar was given to him when he was just a a baby. His parents were attacked by the evil Lord Voldemort. Sadly they were brutally murdered by him. Yet the love of Harry's mother saved him, and when the evil Lord tried to kill Harry, the only harm that was inflicted upon him was the scar. So behind his scar lies the meaning that true love is a powerful tool in life and really does conquer all. Harry has no recollection of his parents, so that scar is his only reminder. Yet, it's also a curse. Harry no longer has his parents, and they are what he longs for so much, and he can never have them. So, it is a constant reminder of not only the love his mother had for him, so much that she would die to protect him, but also the worst day of his life. The day that his parents were taken from his forever. The scar is like a beacon of light and hope for Harry though, it leads him and guides him through life.
In this poem the author depict the negative aspects of nature in a meaningful yet unusual way. The author does not describe the beauty of Autumn, as do most authors of Autumn poems. The author writes unusually by writing about how autumn brings with it death, cold, and sadness. Yet, the author also writes meaningful even by doing so. The author is still able to communicate with the audience.
Chapter 21: Marked For Greatness
Harry's scar was given to him when he was just a a baby. His parents were attacked by the evil Lord Voldemort. Sadly they were brutally murdered by him. Yet the love of Harry's mother saved him, and when the evil Lord tried to kill Harry, the only harm that was inflicted upon him was the scar. So behind his scar lies the meaning that true love is a powerful tool in life and really does conquer all. Harry has no recollection of his parents, so that scar is his only reminder. Yet, it's also a curse. Harry no longer has his parents, and they are what he longs for so much, and he can never have them. So, it is a constant reminder of not only the love his mother had for him, so much that she would die to protect him, but also the worst day of his life. The day that his parents were taken from his forever. The scar is like a beacon of light and hope for Harry though, it leads him and guides him through life.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
How To Read Literature Like A Professor: Chapters 16-19
Chapter 16: It's All About Sex
Chapter 17: ...Except Sex
In the movie American Beauty Lester's obsession with Angela, a teenager. Lester is an adult male who is fascinated by Angela, and could care less about his wife Carolyn. Every time that Angela is over he stares at her, as if some force is holding his eyes on her. He is obsessed. He wishes to have sexual relations with her, yet he knows that he cannot bluntly state this because she is a minor and he could go to jail. Yet, Angela and Jane, Lester's daughter, argue because Jane does not want Angela to have sex with her father. This desperate desire for sexual relations with Angela allows the reader to develop ideas and feelings about Lester. The audience becomes overwhelmed with hatred because he is a despicable pervert.
Chapter 18: If She Comes Up, It's Baptism
In the novel Farenheit 451, Guy Montag is an average citizen who does not question the authority of those over him. He follows the laws, and lives a simple life. One day he walks home with a girl by the name of Clarisse. The journey home is not a sunny one though, it is pouring the rain the entire way to their home. The rain acts as a baptism. Cleansing and changing the entire way that Montag looks at the world. Clarrisse asks him several though pondering questions, and then leaves him to walk home in the rain by himself. Her final question that she leaves him with causes him to realize that his whole life is not what he thought it to be. Thus causing him to make drastic changes in his life. He began breaking laws, and he even quit his job at the fire department. He reads books, and wants to instill in future generations the importance of books, even if that means he has to do it in secret.
Chapter 19: Geography Matters...
The geography in the novel Pride and Prejudice would cause Foster to classify it under geography. The story takes place between 1796 and 1813. The story takes place in England, and the geography of the land depicts several things about the story. The geography sets the foundation for the entire story. The time period in which the story takes place and the location of the action develops the plot of the novel. It is culturally important. The geography is also a symbol of simplicity of Elizabeth Bennett's appearance, yet her natural beauty. She is simply stunning just like the nature in Europe. The geography is also a symbol of the struggle for the love and relationships in England. Although some of the towns are not far away others are. This is symbollic of the obstacles that the loves must overcome to be together.
Chapter 17: ...Except Sex
In the movie American Beauty Lester's obsession with Angela, a teenager. Lester is an adult male who is fascinated by Angela, and could care less about his wife Carolyn. Every time that Angela is over he stares at her, as if some force is holding his eyes on her. He is obsessed. He wishes to have sexual relations with her, yet he knows that he cannot bluntly state this because she is a minor and he could go to jail. Yet, Angela and Jane, Lester's daughter, argue because Jane does not want Angela to have sex with her father. This desperate desire for sexual relations with Angela allows the reader to develop ideas and feelings about Lester. The audience becomes overwhelmed with hatred because he is a despicable pervert.
Chapter 18: If She Comes Up, It's Baptism
In the novel Farenheit 451, Guy Montag is an average citizen who does not question the authority of those over him. He follows the laws, and lives a simple life. One day he walks home with a girl by the name of Clarisse. The journey home is not a sunny one though, it is pouring the rain the entire way to their home. The rain acts as a baptism. Cleansing and changing the entire way that Montag looks at the world. Clarrisse asks him several though pondering questions, and then leaves him to walk home in the rain by himself. Her final question that she leaves him with causes him to realize that his whole life is not what he thought it to be. Thus causing him to make drastic changes in his life. He began breaking laws, and he even quit his job at the fire department. He reads books, and wants to instill in future generations the importance of books, even if that means he has to do it in secret.
Chapter 19: Geography Matters...
The geography in the novel Pride and Prejudice would cause Foster to classify it under geography. The story takes place between 1796 and 1813. The story takes place in England, and the geography of the land depicts several things about the story. The geography sets the foundation for the entire story. The time period in which the story takes place and the location of the action develops the plot of the novel. It is culturally important. The geography is also a symbol of simplicity of Elizabeth Bennett's appearance, yet her natural beauty. She is simply stunning just like the nature in Europe. The geography is also a symbol of the struggle for the love and relationships in England. Although some of the towns are not far away others are. This is symbollic of the obstacles that the loves must overcome to be together.
How To Read Literature Like A Professor: Chapters 10-15
Chapter 10: It's More Than Just Rain Or Snow
The importance of weather in stories is extreme. Like E-X-T-R-E-M-E. (I hope you enjoyed that Katie- I figured it might make you laugh. Then again who knows.) The weather sets the mood of a story or scene. Rain and thunderstorms can set an eerie, scary, and even dreary atmosphere. Sending chills up readers and viewers spines, and causing the hairs on their arms and necks to raise. Whereas sunshine can set a feeling of happiness, timelessness, joy,etc. Weather plays a key role in how the reader or viewer feels.Weather can also be symbolic. Rain can represent purification and transformations. Wind can be symbolic of peace and transformation. Weather really plays a key role in mood and also in symbolizing pivotal moments in characters lives.
Chapter 11: More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
There are two kinds of violence in literature. They are specific injury that authors cause characters to inflict upon themselves or others, and the narrative violence that causes characters harm in general. An example of specific injury that causes harm would be like in Looking For Alaska when Alaska dies, it was basically Pudge's fault. He could have chose to stand up to Alaska, and refused to have let her leave until she was sober, yet he chose to let her drive away hammered. Therefore when she died in the car accident all of the hurt and pain that he felt, as well as all of his friend, it was his fault. An example of narrative violence would be like Jamie lying on her deathbed from A Walk To Remember. There is not actually a guilty party in narrative violence. The effects of each on the reader vary. The first makes the reader emotionally connect to the characters whether they sympathize with them, or despise their very existence. The effects of the second one are that the audience looks for somebody to blame because as a society today we still do that. We always look for somebody to blame rather than simply accepting responsibility.
Chapter 12: Is That A Symbol?
In the short story Popular Mechanics the couples baby is a symbol of societies lack of concern for the treatment and suffering that children go through, when parents fight and argue. People constantly want to take sides, and say who is in the right, and who feels bad for who. Yet nobody acknowledges the troubles that the children have to go through. Think about it. How is a child not supposed to feel broken? Children love both of their parents, and it's a scary thing to think that they are going to separate when the adults behave civilly. Now just imagine two people screaming at each other. Then imagine being a kid right in the middle of it all. You can't take sides, so what do you do? What can you do? Pretty much nothing. Yet, if the parents were really good parents at all they would step aside from their pity arguments, and take their childrens feelings into consideration because isn't that the important thing, their children? They should atleast have one thing in common, the love for their children? Yet, no... This is exactly what happens in this short story. The couple refuses to act civilized, and behave like adults. They insist on putting their baby right in the middle, LITERALLY, of all of their problems. So what happens to the poor baby. The baby gets broken in half, once again LITERALLY. This is a perfect symbol of how broken homes break children.
Chapter 13: It's All Political
Take into consideration the short story The Lottery. Ok. There is a little town. The town comes together and is having what appears to be a social gathering. Well then each male from the town walks up, and draws a strip of paper from this old box. Why? Oh just wait. Well after every male has a paper, they open them up simultaneously. All of them are blank with the exception of one. This one has a dot, so this mans family must go in front of everybody onto the stage. Then each member of his family receives a paper. Again all of them are blank with the exception of one. What is on that one? A DOT!!!! Who would have ever guessed? So what happens to the one with the dot. Well they are brutally stoned by every person and child in the town. Even the kids throw stones. So how does this relate politically. Think about it. Instead of town members you have politicians. Each politician can have a civilized conversation with the other politicians. So they are talking. Well then it comes time to call their meeting to order. This is it the defenses come up. The moment the politicians get the opportunity to attack they do. Shooting down others ideas, and criticizing them to every person they can. Putting them down, so that they can get more votes or appeal.
Chapter 14: Yes, She's A Christ Figure, Too
Alice is a christ figure too. Alice who? Alice. Who's Alice? The Alice. Who is the Alice? What other Alice fell down a rabbit hole, and was shrunk and then enlarged, and had slay an over sized type dragon creature. Oh. Ok. That Alice. Yes, Alice from Alice In Wonderland. Wait a minute how is she a christ figure. Well think about it. She is wounded not long after making it to Wonderland in the arm by a creature of the Red Queen. She is in complete agony because she struggles with the decision to do what everybody deems proper, and to marry a man, or to do what she wants, and be independent. Does she please herself or those she loves? She is self sacrificing. Really? Yes. She is willing to face the red queen, and go to her castle, and save her friends. She had to walk most of the places she went. Other than a few when she went to her destination by dog or other creature. She spent time alone in an unknown land under a hat. She was tempted. She could have easily taken the red queens side, and perhaps she never would have had to fight the magical creature. She was in the company of the white queens followers. These followers served her side in all of her adventures. She was able to forgive. She decided to live her life for herself in hopes of bettering the world.
Chapter 15: Flights of Fancy
In the short story, The Lame Shall Enter First, Sheppard has a son named Norton. Norton has lost a lot at such a young age. His mother died, and his father lacks all interest in his son. He has no siblings or family to take an interest in him. He is a deprived childhood. He has been deprived of love, and of a childhood. His father takes in this troubled boy by the name of Rufus. Sheppard adores Rufus. Rufus emotionally tortures both Sheppard and Norton. Eventually Norton takes a rope and loops it around his neck. Then he jumps from the attic, as if leaping towards the stars, which is where he believes his mother to be. Why does he do this? Rufus told him that his mother was in the stars, and that if he done that he could reach her. So he believes that he will see his mother again. This is pretty symbolic. The flight to his mother is symbolic of Nortons new found freedom. He has escaped the emotional abuse his father has inflicted upon him, and now he is free. He has escaped the turmoils of the world, so that he can be reunited with the only person he feels has ever loved him, his mother.
The importance of weather in stories is extreme. Like E-X-T-R-E-M-E. (I hope you enjoyed that Katie- I figured it might make you laugh. Then again who knows.) The weather sets the mood of a story or scene. Rain and thunderstorms can set an eerie, scary, and even dreary atmosphere. Sending chills up readers and viewers spines, and causing the hairs on their arms and necks to raise. Whereas sunshine can set a feeling of happiness, timelessness, joy,etc. Weather plays a key role in how the reader or viewer feels.Weather can also be symbolic. Rain can represent purification and transformations. Wind can be symbolic of peace and transformation. Weather really plays a key role in mood and also in symbolizing pivotal moments in characters lives.
Chapter 11: More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
There are two kinds of violence in literature. They are specific injury that authors cause characters to inflict upon themselves or others, and the narrative violence that causes characters harm in general. An example of specific injury that causes harm would be like in Looking For Alaska when Alaska dies, it was basically Pudge's fault. He could have chose to stand up to Alaska, and refused to have let her leave until she was sober, yet he chose to let her drive away hammered. Therefore when she died in the car accident all of the hurt and pain that he felt, as well as all of his friend, it was his fault. An example of narrative violence would be like Jamie lying on her deathbed from A Walk To Remember. There is not actually a guilty party in narrative violence. The effects of each on the reader vary. The first makes the reader emotionally connect to the characters whether they sympathize with them, or despise their very existence. The effects of the second one are that the audience looks for somebody to blame because as a society today we still do that. We always look for somebody to blame rather than simply accepting responsibility.
Chapter 12: Is That A Symbol?
In the short story Popular Mechanics the couples baby is a symbol of societies lack of concern for the treatment and suffering that children go through, when parents fight and argue. People constantly want to take sides, and say who is in the right, and who feels bad for who. Yet nobody acknowledges the troubles that the children have to go through. Think about it. How is a child not supposed to feel broken? Children love both of their parents, and it's a scary thing to think that they are going to separate when the adults behave civilly. Now just imagine two people screaming at each other. Then imagine being a kid right in the middle of it all. You can't take sides, so what do you do? What can you do? Pretty much nothing. Yet, if the parents were really good parents at all they would step aside from their pity arguments, and take their childrens feelings into consideration because isn't that the important thing, their children? They should atleast have one thing in common, the love for their children? Yet, no... This is exactly what happens in this short story. The couple refuses to act civilized, and behave like adults. They insist on putting their baby right in the middle, LITERALLY, of all of their problems. So what happens to the poor baby. The baby gets broken in half, once again LITERALLY. This is a perfect symbol of how broken homes break children.
Chapter 13: It's All Political
Take into consideration the short story The Lottery. Ok. There is a little town. The town comes together and is having what appears to be a social gathering. Well then each male from the town walks up, and draws a strip of paper from this old box. Why? Oh just wait. Well after every male has a paper, they open them up simultaneously. All of them are blank with the exception of one. This one has a dot, so this mans family must go in front of everybody onto the stage. Then each member of his family receives a paper. Again all of them are blank with the exception of one. What is on that one? A DOT!!!! Who would have ever guessed? So what happens to the one with the dot. Well they are brutally stoned by every person and child in the town. Even the kids throw stones. So how does this relate politically. Think about it. Instead of town members you have politicians. Each politician can have a civilized conversation with the other politicians. So they are talking. Well then it comes time to call their meeting to order. This is it the defenses come up. The moment the politicians get the opportunity to attack they do. Shooting down others ideas, and criticizing them to every person they can. Putting them down, so that they can get more votes or appeal.
Chapter 14: Yes, She's A Christ Figure, Too
Alice is a christ figure too. Alice who? Alice. Who's Alice? The Alice. Who is the Alice? What other Alice fell down a rabbit hole, and was shrunk and then enlarged, and had slay an over sized type dragon creature. Oh. Ok. That Alice. Yes, Alice from Alice In Wonderland. Wait a minute how is she a christ figure. Well think about it. She is wounded not long after making it to Wonderland in the arm by a creature of the Red Queen. She is in complete agony because she struggles with the decision to do what everybody deems proper, and to marry a man, or to do what she wants, and be independent. Does she please herself or those she loves? She is self sacrificing. Really? Yes. She is willing to face the red queen, and go to her castle, and save her friends. She had to walk most of the places she went. Other than a few when she went to her destination by dog or other creature. She spent time alone in an unknown land under a hat. She was tempted. She could have easily taken the red queens side, and perhaps she never would have had to fight the magical creature. She was in the company of the white queens followers. These followers served her side in all of her adventures. She was able to forgive. She decided to live her life for herself in hopes of bettering the world.
Chapter 15: Flights of Fancy
In the short story, The Lame Shall Enter First, Sheppard has a son named Norton. Norton has lost a lot at such a young age. His mother died, and his father lacks all interest in his son. He has no siblings or family to take an interest in him. He is a deprived childhood. He has been deprived of love, and of a childhood. His father takes in this troubled boy by the name of Rufus. Sheppard adores Rufus. Rufus emotionally tortures both Sheppard and Norton. Eventually Norton takes a rope and loops it around his neck. Then he jumps from the attic, as if leaping towards the stars, which is where he believes his mother to be. Why does he do this? Rufus told him that his mother was in the stars, and that if he done that he could reach her. So he believes that he will see his mother again. This is pretty symbolic. The flight to his mother is symbolic of Nortons new found freedom. He has escaped the emotional abuse his father has inflicted upon him, and now he is free. He has escaped the turmoils of the world, so that he can be reunited with the only person he feels has ever loved him, his mother.
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