How to Read Literature like a Professor Study Guide Questions with Certified Answers

How to Read Literature like a Professor Study Guide Questions with Certified Answers - (Intro) What is a "Faustian bargain"? - (Intro) Where did that phrase originate? - A "faustian bargain" is a deal with the devil in which the hero is offered something he desperately wants in exchange for his soul. - This phrase originated from variations of the Faust legend. (Intro) What does Foster mean by the phrase "language of reading"? The "language of reading" is a method of talking about literature in an analytical manner using a set of conventions, patterns, codes, and rules. (Intro) How does a literature professor read differently from a lay reader? The three key elements of reading that separate a professor from a lay reader include memory, symbol, and pattern. In comparison, a lay reader simply focuses on the plot, story, and characters. (Intro) What are the three items that separate the professorial reader from the rest of the crowd? Memory, symbol, and pattern are the three items that separate the professional reader from the rest of the crowd. (1) What five things does a quest consist of? A quest consists of a quester, a place to go, a state reason to go there, challenges or trials en route, and a real reason to go. (1) What is the real reason for a quest (always)? The real reason for a quest is always self-discovery or knowledge. (1) What is Foster's overall point about journeys or trips in literature? Foster claims that the overall point about journeys or trips in literature is to engage the reader, assessing the work for an adventure that promotes character growth. (2) What does "communion" mean? Communion refers to a time when people eat or drink together, creating a temporary community. (2) For what reason does Foster suggest that authors often include meal scenes? Foster suggests that authors often include meal scenes in order to demonstrate relationships between characters, creating a bond/trust or not. (2) What does a failed meal suggest in literature? In literature, a failed meal suggests bad things for community and understanding, creating a sense of tension and/or conflict between characters. (3) What is literal vampirism? Literal vampirism involves a nasty old man, attractive but evil, violates young women, leaves his mark on them, steals their innocence--and coincidentally their "usefulness" to young men--and leaves them helpless followers of his sin. (3) What is symbolic vampirism? Symbolic vampirism occurs when people act toward their fellows in exploitative and selfish ways while placing their desires, particularly the uglier ones, above the needs of another. (3) What are the "essentials of the vampire story" and what do they represent? The "essentials of the vampire story" include an older figure representing corrupt, outworn values; a young, preferably virginal female; a stripping away of her youth, energy, virtue; a continuance of the life force of the old male; the death or destruction of the young woman. (4) Visually speaking, why is a sonnet roughly "square"? A sonnet is roughly "square" in shape because it consists of 14 lines, each approximately 10 syllables