Like many other readers I find that ambiguity doesn’t just “come
into play” during a reading experience, but instead often seems to be controlling
the whole journey. The frustrating part of being a reader is that when you believe
you’ve found some great symbolic moment you can never be quite sure. Is it
raining because it’s April and that’s what the weather does or is it raining
for a bigger reason? This is the daily struggle I and many other readers face
as we discover new literature as well as discover ourselves as intellectual
readers. As frustrating as this may seem there is one specific quote from How to Read Literature Like a Professor that
should make all readers feel better. “Every reader’s experience of every work
is unique… and nowhere is this individuality clearer than in the matter of
symbolism.” This quote should help readers be able to push the doubt out of
their mind that their symbol might not actually be one, because it plays on our
individuality, revealing that if we believe it’s a symbol, then it’s a symbol
(at least to us).
This realization
that just one text can mean so many things to different people makes us, the
reader, appreciate a text far more. A text is not just a one dimensional story,
it’s like the ocean, vast and full of mystery; and what one student may find,
her peer may find something completely different casing a greater appreciation as
we realize that every texts speaks to readers uniquely. This discovery is what
makes reading so joyful and now with the help of Foster us beginners can rest
easy knowing that if we think it’s a symbol, it is.
Abby, this reminds me a little of that Odyssey article we read last year that used the phrase "pleasurably frustrated" in relation to the way Homer makes us wait and wait for the real action, to even see the hero. Ambiguity seems necessary for genuine art to occur. I like to see ambiguity as a plethora of options rather than frustration. I don't think we as readers (of stories, poems, paintings, etc.) are supposed to just get it. That would be boring:)
ReplyDeleteAbby, I think this perspective explains so much about the intense arguments that people may find themselves in whilst discussing literature. Oftentimes, most arguments fall in the realm of whether a subject in literature is symbolic or simply coincidence. The explanation being that symbolism is not necessarily a condition attached to an event in a novel but rather the mind of the reader aids in settling most of these conflicts. This really views the study of literature as a personal experience, rather than a strictly academic experience. Through this, we can use people's perspectives as a stepping stone to understanding all of the unique backgrounds and experiences that every individual calls their own.
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ReplyDeleteAbby, this blog post speaks wonders about the truth in symbolism and how many readers feel while reading or discussing said symbolism. The types of people who read literature and view the work as art are desperate to find symbolism and meaning within various points in the novels. Foster seems to be the type of professor that understands how the students feel and he wants them and other readers to question whether or not certain aspects are destined symbolism or not. As mentioned, most readers can turn what they believe to be symbolism into the symbolism that they are dreaming of. Foster focuses on symbolism and similar concepts quite a lot because they are huge aspects in literature. Literature is art and art is symbolism.
ReplyDeleteAbby, in my eyes, you hit the nail on the head with this blog post. A lot of times, I will read just for the sake of reading, and not really dig into the symbols that authors may have wanted us as readers to pick up on, which is how I personalize my reading experience. Or perhaps the authors made such symbols intentionally vague to make us as readers think more about the deeper meaning of what they had to say. At the same time, I would venture to say that many authors use symbols that can potentially be interpreted in many different ways, so that every reader can have their own personalized experience. It’s an interesting to think about, and even more interesting to interpret when the opportunity is presented.
ReplyDeleteKnowing whether something was symbolism or not is something I struggled with a lot in my freshman and sophomore English classes (less so AP English, as that was mostly nonfiction). Whenever I read something, I was unsure if I was reading too much into it or the symbolism was there. Reading Foster’s book, like you pointed out, Abby, really made me feel better about seeing symbolism in different things. Before I read that book, I had no idea if I was just making symbolism up and what it meant. But the book that we read has made me feel much more confident in my reading skills and will go a long way toward making me a better reader and analyser to texts and stories.
ReplyDeleteThe variety of interpretations that come with a text is so evident in a classroom setting. There may be a class of 25 or so, and each individual student has a different idea of the literary effect of a particular text. I think one of the greatest lessons that we as students can learn in these more introductory high school classes such as AP Language or AP Literature is how to process the feelings and ideas that occur within us when reading literature and learning how to articulate and communicate them effectively. Many people can relate to the, "My idea is probably stupid or wrong," mentality, but overcoming that and adding to the discussion is what makes classes like AP Lang or Lit so exciting. Literature is art, and variety in interpretation is what makes it so. The fact that 25 people can each draw different meaning from one work is what makes writing an exciting and relevant medium for expression. I look forward to this year when I can have my eyes opened to the emotions and ideas that are sparked by my peers.
ReplyDeleteThe variety of interpretations that come with a text is so evident in a classroom setting. There may be a class of 25 or so, and each individual student has a different idea of the literary effect of a particular text. I think one of the greatest lessons that we as students can learn in these more introductory high school classes such as AP Language or AP Literature is how to process the feelings and ideas that occur within us when reading literature and learning how to articulate and communicate them effectively. Many people can relate to the, "My idea is probably stupid or wrong," mentality, but overcoming that and adding to the discussion is what makes classes like AP Lang or Lit so exciting. Literature is art, and variety in interpretation is what makes it so. The fact that 25 people can each draw different meaning from one work is what makes writing an exciting and relevant medium for expression. I look forward to this year when I can have my eyes opened to the emotions and ideas that are sparked by my peers.
ReplyDeleteAbby,
ReplyDeleteI love this because I related to it so much. Whenever I recognize a symbol or metaphor I get really excited, until I start doubting whether I actually got the meaning or not. Then after reading Foster I discovered that the meaning was mainly up to me. Knowing this comforted me a lot. It would seriously trouble me when I couldn't figure out if I was correct on the meaning or not. Knowing that the meaning can be different for different people gave me more intellectual freedom after reading Foster. I am able to enjoy these symbols, metaphors, and other literary devices a lot more now. I've always doubted my ability to recognize symbols, but now I have more confidence in what I see while reading.
Abby,
ReplyDeleteI love this because I related to it so much. Whenever I recognize a symbol or metaphor I get really excited, until I start doubting whether I actually got the meaning or not. Then after reading Foster I discovered that the meaning was mainly up to me. Knowing this comforted me a lot. It would seriously trouble me when I couldn't figure out if I was correct on the meaning or not. Knowing that the meaning can be different for different people gave me more intellectual freedom after reading Foster. I am able to enjoy these symbols, metaphors, and other literary devices a lot more now. I've always doubted my ability to recognize symbols, but now I have more confidence in what I see while reading.