Top 3 How to Read Literature Like a Professor quotes
“The real reason for a quest is always self-knowledge.“ - Thomas C. Foster, Chapter 1
In the first chapter, the author begins to talk about the parallels that can be drawn between the seemingly simple journey of a teenager to the grocery store and that of a story of a knight traveling across the countryside. One of the assertions that Foster makes during his explanation of the characteristics of a quest is that the stated reason for the journey and the actual reason for the journey is never the same. As he explains, the actual reason for any quest is always self-discovery.
“There's no such thing as a wholly original work of literature. “ - Thomas C. Foster, Chapter 4
Foster explains his theory about the 'one story' at multiple points in the book, and uses it to explain the concept of intertextuality. He believes that authors can never truly create a completely original work because they can be influenced by something without being completely conscious of it. He also believes that readers would be unable to connect with a story that was wholly original since he believes the reader needs to experience a balanced sense of familiarity and strangeness to enjoy a text.
“Characters are not people.“ - Thomas C. Foster, Chapter 10
Foster reminds the reader to shed their judgment of the characters featured in a book and instead encourages them to understand the characters in the context of the story in which they are featured. Later in the book, he recommends reading texts from the viewpoint of the author, to best understand the actions of the characters involved in the story.
