How to Read Literature Like a Professor (Revised Edition) by Thomas C. Foster Graded A+

How to Read Literature Like a Professor (Revised Edition) by Thomas C. Foster Graded A+ Every Trip is a Quest : What are the five elements of a quest? a) A quester b) A place to go c) A stated reason to go there d) Challenges and trials en route e) A real reason to go there Nice to Eat with You : Explain Foster's justification for saying all acts of characters having meals together are communion. He says that "we are particular about those with whom we break bread" suggesting that characters who share a meal only do so with people they are comfortable with, or to break down barriers, and advance the relationship. Nice to Eat with You : Furthering the Act of Communion rule, what would a writer do when a meal is prepared but an unwelcome or unpleasant "interloper" arrives? The meal would not continue. "They place their napkins on their plates, or say something about losing their appetite, or simply get up and walk away." Nice to Eat with You : According to Foster, why would a writer include a detailed description of a meal, such as the one included from James Joyce's "The Dead"? The writer is trying to help the reader visualize the meal so the communion will be made clear, or so they can even picture themselves taking part in it with the characters. ("His main goal...is to draw us into that moment, to pull our chairs up to that table so that we are utterly convinced of the reality of the meal.") Nice to Eat You : Essentially, in literature what does a "vampire" figure do to other characters? The vampire takes someone else's will to live or energy to continue in order to make themselves more powerful. To quote from Foster, we are vampires when we are "using other people to get what we want. Denying someone else's right to live in the face of our own overwhelming demands." Nice to Eat You : Many of Foster's examples of vampire characters came from what literary time period? Victorian Nice to Eat You : Other than vampires, what other supernatural character does Foster discuss as frequently symbolized in literature? Ghosts Now, Where have I seen her before? : Foster makes a claim that is slightly controversial about stories in general. What is it? Foster says, "THERE'S ONLY ONE STORY." He explains that all stories are influenced by tales and myths that make up our cultural identity, so a truly original story is impossible. Now, Where have I seen her before? : Foster compares mushrooms he finds on hunts with his father to literary allegories or references to other literary works. Many students don't recognize literary patterns or similar character types on their own, but literature professors are meant to show them how to find them. What happens as a students reads more and understands literature better? Then they will hopefully start spotting references and allegories by themselves. When In Doubt, It's From Shakespeare : By what title does Foster, and many other writers, refer to Shakespeare? The Bard When In Doubt, It's From Shakespeare : What is the