Foster has taught readers that being literate and reading is not only an important trait or hobby, but also the process of learning and growing. Being literate and using that ability to read books helps the mind and person grow. All of this ties into "being human" because it gives people an experience to live through, a journey to grow with, and a mind full of wonders.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Literature's Journey
Foster has taught readers that there are various ways to view a piece of writing. There is more to reading literature than simply for an assignment or for enjoyment. Reading literature or other pieces of writing is about the journey it takes readers on. In the beginning of Foster's book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, he writes about journeys and quests, basically saying that everything is a quest. Foster writes, "Once you figure out quests, the rest is easy." This goes for practically any reader because after they discover the basic layer of the books meaning, the rest of their journey is a breeze. Foster has taught readers that the process of reading literature takes time in order to fully understand most meanings, but it is worth the wait. The purpose of reading literature is to enjoy the beautiful story laid out on paper while also educating oneself about the mysteries and wonders of the world. Literature is supposed to drag people into the story and make them feel as if they are apart of it. If a reader is reading about a fantasy tale where there are dragons that need to be slayed, then literature's purpose is to make the reader feel as if they are the hero that slays the evil dragon. Reading literature is all about the experience and journeys that it takes its readers on.
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Reading is indeed a journey for both the reader and the author. Understanding the quests is a key aspect of understanding a work of literature; despite this, the characters are often morphed by their quests, so by understanding the characters, you often begin to understand the many layers of the plot and the quests. These stories allow for the people to feel a connection to the story through the understanding of these characters; the more complex the characters are, the more the piece of literature is relatable and therefore understandable. Comprehension of the characters, and therefore the plot, enables the reader to experience the world through the author's words.
ReplyDeleteI love that you refer to reading literature as “a journey to grow with” because reading a story is always an adventure. When beginning a book, you never know exactly what you are getting into. It is full of endless possibilities based on twists and turns. There is always so much to learn and be discovered. Reading literature can definitely be a pleasurable experience but that is not all that it can be. The journey that the reader goes on can cause so many emotions. One book can make a person go from sad to happy, angry to excited, and so much more. It is amazing to see what a person can discover about themselves and the world by traveling down the road that every piece of literature takes them on.
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ReplyDeleteKatelyn,
ReplyDeleteGood stories have always been some of the dearest parts of my life. The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Ender’s Game, 1984, Chronicles of the Black Company—the journeys and quests laid out in these books become my own journeys, my own adventures. I love a wonderful story. I love to empathize with the characters, to feel what they feel and see things through their eyes. Despite this, however, I don’t know if I can agree that “Reading literature is all about the experience and journeys that it takes its readers on.” I find that the reason why the experiences and journeys in some books are so wonderful and meaningful is that they are accurate portrayals and deep insights into some aspects of the real world—be they insights into relationships, personal morals and character, beauty and wonder, or the mystery of life. I would argue that reading literature is all about gaining new insight into the world around us. But thank goodness that insight is proffered through exquisite story and literary experience, not dry exposition.