The World's Best Book Summaries
What does it mean when a character in literature takes flight? What are some examples of flight being used symbolically? More often than not, flight in literature symbolizes either freedom or spirituality. Additionally, the ability to fly can also be used ironically depending on the circumstance. Keep reading to learn about flight in literature.
Why isn’t evolutionary medicine taught in medical school? How could understanding how our bodies came to be this way help us to accept diseases and inspire hope? Medical schools prefer to teach using science that they can test in a lab rather than evolutionary medicine. However, evolutionary medicine can explain some attributes that modern medicine cannot. Keep reading for more on evolutionary medicine.
Why is it so difficult to interpret symbols in literature? What do you do if an author uses unique symbols? Interpreting symbols in literature isn’t always easy. Literary symbols can sometimes overlap, develop new meanings over time, or be unique to an author. However, there are some common symbols and themes you can look out for. Continue on for more information about interpreting literary symbols.
What do encoded and explicit sex symbolize in literature? Why is it important to look beyond sex when reading literature? In literature, sex and sexuality are used symbolically in two different ways: encoded sex and explicit sex. Encoded sex means the author uses symbolic imagery to imply sex in a scene, but the reader never sees the sexual act take place. Explicit sex is when the author uses a sex scene to symbolize a larger theme in the story. Continue reading for more information on what sex symbolizes in literature.
Why does irony change everything when it comes to literature? What are the different kinds of irony? If there is a disconnect between your expectation of a story and the reality of how it plays out, it is most likely ironic. The three most common types of irony in literature are verbal irony, ironic mode, and dramatic irony. Continue on to learn more about irony from How to Read Literature Like a Professor.
What event awoke Michelle Obama’s ambitious nature? Why does Michelle credit her mother for her success? Michelle Obama has been an overachiever since she can remember. Even in kindergarten, she strived to get that gold star and she even skipped the second grade because she was too advanced for the class. Continue on to learn more about Michelle Obama’s childhood.
Are you looking to expand your knowledge of How to Read Literature Like a Professor? Do you want practice questions to help you study? How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster is a crash course in the art of reading intelligently. Here are four exercises to help you analyze literature as a professor would. Continue below for How to Read Literature Like a Professor exercises.
What does it mean when authors reference the Bible in literature? What biblical symbols should you be on the lookout for? Authors commonly reference the Bible to deepen the meaning of their work. Many authors also use the Bible to highlight the differences between religious tradition and modern life. Keep reading to learn why the Bible is so commonly referenced in literature and what those references may mean.
What are the most common quest archetypes? What should you look out for to know if a character is on a quest? Anytime a character begins a trip, you should be on the lookout for a quest narrative. Literary quests typically consist of five elements: a quester, a place to go, a reason, challenges along the way, and the character learning about themselves. Keep reading to learn why every trip is a quest in literature.
Why should you familiarize yourself with an author’s background before reading their literature? Why are politics so common in writing? If you don’t familiarize yourself with the world as it was when an author wrote a book, you risk missing important political commentary. Especially in American literature, the role of an individual character is almost always politically charged. Keep reading to learn more about political writing in classic literature.