Why Authors Reference Literary Fairy Tales and Myths

Why Authors Reference Literary Fairy Tales and Myths

What do fairy tales and myths signify in literature? Why would an author choose to borrow an element of an already well-known story? It’s common practice for authors to reference fairy tales and classical mythology in their literature because they are an assumed body of knowledge. Referencing well-known material allows an author to get a point across without much effort. Keep reading for more information about literary fairy tales and myths.

How to Read Like a Professor: What That Means

How to Read Like a Professor: What That Means

What does it mean to read and analyze literature like a professor? What are the differences between how a student and teacher reads literature? When a student reads literature, she tends to focus on the characters, plot, and emotions. When a professor reads literature, she focuses on memory, symbols, and patterns in the story and looks for the deeper truths. Keep reading to learn how professors go about reading literature.

So You Want to Talk About Race Discussion Questions

So You Want to Talk About Race Discussion Questions

Are you looking for So You Want to Talk About Race discussion questions? What are some of the key themes and ideas to discuss? In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo offers a handbook on how to have intelligent, productive, empathic conversations about race. The following So You Want to Talk About Race discussion questions will help you reflect on the key issues discussed in the book and examine them in the context of your own life. Here are some So You Want to Talk About Race discussion questions and exercises that tackle some of the book’s

Michelle Obama: Timeline of Higher Education

Michelle Obama: Timeline of Higher Education

What did Michelle Obama’s timeline of higher education look like? What major events happened while Michelle was at Princeton? What led Michelle to apply to Harvard Law School? During her time at Princeton, Michelle met her first mentor, got her first job working with children, she experienced the decline of her father’s health, and she made the decision to go to law school. All of these events would affect her later in life. Continue on to learn more about Michelle Obama’s college years.

Memory and Reading: Look Out for References

Memory and Reading: Look Out for References

How are memory and reading related? Is there really no such thing as a new book? It is true, there is no such thing as a new story. All literary works are connected and reference past works. That’s why it’s important to call on your memory of previous works of literature while you read. Continue on to learn more about the importance of calling on your memory while reading literature.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Baptism

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Baptism

What does How to Read Literature Like a Professor say about baptism? What is a symbolic baptism? A baptism in literature doesn’t always have to be religious. A literary baptism is when a character escapes a watery death and reforms their life as a result. How they escaped drowning is an important part of the character development. Keep reading to learn what How to Read Literature Like a Professor has to say about baptism.

Michelle Obama at Princeton: Facing Discrimination

Michelle Obama at Princeton: Facing Discrimination

What kind of discrimination did Michelle Obama face at Princeton University? How did her brother play a part in her college experience? When Michelle Obama entered Princeton, less than 9% of students in her class were Black and most were male. She even had an experience where her roommate moved out because her mother didn’t want her rooming with a Black girl. Despite all of that, Michelle thrived. Keep reading to learn more about Michelle Obama’s Princeton years.

Secondary Character Archetypes in Literature

Secondary Character Archetypes in Literature

What are the two secondary character archetypes in literature? Why can’t every character be rounded out? There are two main secondary character archetypes in literature: the round character and the flat character. Round characters have backstories, emotions, and growth while flat characters are just there to aid the protagonist. Keep reading to learn more about secondary characters in literature.

Illness in Literature: Diseases are Symbolic

Illness in Literature: Diseases are Symbolic

What do illnesses symbolize in literature? Why is it more common to write about some diseases and not others? What does it mean when a character is physically disabled? When writing literature, authors choose which illnesses to give their characters very carefully. Some illnesses are picturesque, some are mysterious, some are powerful metaphors, and some have significant origins. Keep reading to learn more about illness in literature.