Summary of How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Reading literature like a professor does not mean reading it in a distinctive monotone with occasional inflections. It means reading critically and understand (or attempting to understand) the writing's origins in the context of history, artistic influences and personal events. Knowing where a work came from is sometimes as important as the work itself, and professors understand this. Critical .

What is the key to finding the symbolism that writers hide in their literature? Author Thomas Foster answers that question in his book "How to Read Literature Like a Professor."' Foster is a professor of contemporary and classic fiction, drama and poetry in addition to composition and creative writing at the University of Michigan. In his book, he delivers an amusing and practical guidebook to help readers unlock concealed truths like a fictional hero's underlying motives. "The reason for a quest is always self knowledge."'In a study on the significance of a rainstorm, Foster advises that one must see that weather is not just weather. Usually, snow or rain is either cleansing, earthy, animalistic or destructive. Foster offers ways for students to dig beneath the surface of novels and stories to discover elusive and unexpected twists and turns.From literary models to major themes, the author gives readers a lot to consider. Chapters cover a wide range of topics, including: the Bible, fairy tales, poetry, Shakespeare, politics, geography, violence and illness.After reading "How to Read Literature Like a Professor,"' the short response that one can conclude is that nothing is as it seems. Foster encourages students not to "read with their eyes"' because symbolism, memory and patterns are key concepts that separate professional readers from most other readers. He alludes to "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"' and the uproar of many people who read the book during author Mark Twain's lifetime. Twain was criticized for using politically incorrect language in the novel. However, Foster points out that, in the era represented by the story, people lived, felt and spoke in exactly the same way.There is a possibility that the book is not highly valuable for another professor or graduate student. For many other persons, including college students and persons who are avid readers for enjoyment, the text can potentially serve as a worthwhile introduction and guide to more meaningful reading. Also, the information can help open one's eyes to comprehensive literary analysis and techniques. Foster concludes his treatise with a test in which readers can interpret a short story using the principles covered and compare answers with those in the book.