My Personal Literary Theory Of Literature

Literature is an essential part of the center of a person’s life. It provides a certain assurance and “feeds the soul” of one. Whether it be a book, TV, or even an advertisement, literature exists everywhere. A person is able to develop many skills by studying literature, and expand the horizon of their learning. An immeasurable amount of insight and knowledge can be gained from the study of literature which contributes in providing readers with an understanding of the past, and a philosophical assimilation of the moral behind a writing piece.

I have chosen to read Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I have chosen this book based on my personal interest and interest in this specific genre, which is fiction, young adult literature, and children's literature. This book takes place at Mica Area High School in Arizona. Leo Borlock is your average eleventh grader, and he is the only one who accepts Stargirl for who she is. Sarah "Stargirl" Caraway is a unique tenth grader, and she is rejected by everybody in the school. She dances in the rain, plays the ukulele at lunch, and wears strange outfits. Stargirl had small bursts of popularity, but they've never lasted long. Soon after Leo accepts Stargirl, they began a relationship together. As the relationship

Thomas C. Foster in ‘How to Read Literature like a Professor’, references the different literary devices that authors use in literature, in order to enhance the reader’s ability to critically analyze literature from any time period. Foster expands the reader’s understanding of literature by exploring the profound impact of symbols and common themes on literature.

Stargirl Essay Stargirl is unique in a few ways like she wears different dresses like pioneer dresses and she carries a pet rat named cinnamon and she cheers for the other team and she sings people happy Birthday in the lunchroom. Stargirl shows some conformity in a few ways like she joined the cheer team and she likes a boy in her school or when she was in part of “Hot Seat”. If Stargirl went to Greenbrier Junior High School I think she wouldn’t make it because she is too soft and the teachers are so mean

In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, author Thomas C. Foster extensively teaches literary conventions that teach a reader how to read between the lines. The main goal of this guide is to help a reader read to a level such as a professor, which entails being able to read analytically. Throughout Foster's literary guide, he sets out essential elements of literature that aid in the ability to read analytically. How to Read Literature Like a Professor focuses on not only external influences, but also in text elements such as structure, themes, and setting. Throughout Foster's guide there are many valuable keys to reading, some of the most prominent in literature being biblical reference, character quests, and character baptism. Chapters

Beautiful imagery laced amidst a wondrous storyline, accompanied by memorable and lovable characters are all elements pertaining to enjoyable works of fiction. Tales that keep one up late into the night forever reading just “one more page” forever propelling the intrinsic imagination for a novel enthusiast. Yet, at times there are deeper meanings hidden between the lines. Symbols, analogies, and latent parallels all connecting to real life events and situations being portrayed by the author. Using literary theory can bring a more profound understanding of the reading material at hand, as well as unique insight as to what the author was feeling or intending to portray at the time of writing.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas C. Foster is a book that explains there is more to literature than just a few words on a paper or a few pages in a book. Thomas Foster’s book portrays a relatable message to a wide based audience. This book is relatable for two reasons, the way it is written and the examples it uses. The book is written in a conversational manner, as if the reader was in a group discussion about books and writing. As for the examples, they are informative, descriptive, relative, and entertaining.

Thomas Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor begins with an introduction that provides a framework for the next five chapters. The author explains that any story can fit into a general, archetypical theme, and he spends the first five chapters of his book speaking on these critically prevalent themes.

Our group established 5 criterions to state what makes great literature. Our first criterion was “A great book must contain a message that applies to not only those who have experienced situations in the book, but provide perspective to those who have not.” A message that can be understood by numerous groups of people is vital to a great piece of literature. Our second criterion is that in order to teach a lesson it must expose a fault in human nature or in society. Our society is just as flawed as humanity is. Acknowledging these flaws is the first step in overcoming the trials of society and man. Our third criterion is centered around the craftsmanship of the literary work. This can apply to a groundbreaking new approach to narration. Or even complex characters and a unique and individual style (Faulkner.) In summary, the 3rd criterion tries to move past just the message itself, and to focus on

Throughout the novel Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, several topics across the novel contribute to the overall theme. From identity, conformity to bullying, the topics of Stargirl cover everything under the Mica sun. Conformity is touched after everyone in Mica Area High School is described as conformists, blending into one another. Identity is challenged by Stargirl as she breaks away from conformity. Bullying makes its debut after the kids at MAHS reject Stargirls quirky ways. Overall, the Stargirl novel puts a fresh take on the underlining theme most people aren’t true to themselves unless they are confident.

Students often find themselves lost and intimidated by their professor’s experience when analysing literature. In “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” by Thomas C. Foster, Foster attempts give students the tools they need in order to begin learning how to read literature. Each chapter covers a unique concept students can begin look for in their reading. The book details what certain events or settings could mean and how they may relate to similar events in other literature.

When comparing two classic pieces of literature like The Scarlet Letter and A Lesson Before Dying readers should not just take each book at face value and analyze plots and characters, but rather give a more in depth look into what the author writes between the lines. In both of these selected novels parallels can be seen during a cross-text analysis. Example will include, the role of woman, the influence and expectation of the community, and the intention and perceived ‘success’ of the penal system. These topics force the reader to dig deeper into each text and get that better understanding of what the author is trying to portray in “between the lines” so to speak.

Stargirl was another fantastic book Jerry Spinelli. He added interesting characters, such as, Leo the quiet and shy one, Stargirl unique and fun one, Dori Dilson Stargirl only friend, Archie the wise and elderly one, Kevin Leo’s friend that likes the stoplight, and Hillari Kimble the popular bratty one. This book takes place in MICA, Arizona. Now, in paragraph one I will discuss the plot of Stargirl. Next, I will talk about the theme in Stargirl. Finally, I will evaluate Jerry Spinelli`s job on the novel Stargirl.

(HOOK) The characters that are present in short stories can leave an imprint on one’s vision of literature for an eternity. (CI) These memorable characters have made an impact on the way I view literature, primarily because of the way that I have been able to relate to them. (GS1) One character is a powerful, but envious princess. (GS2) Another is an abandoned orphan who seeks for love and companionship through his honesty and openness. (GS3) A final character shows her aptitude for her passions, but often finds herself quarreling with those that are closest to her. (GS4) When I read the stories involving these characters, I see myself in their places. (GS5) I relate to a multitude of their traits and characteristics, whether they are positive or negative. (THESIS STATEMENT) I can best relate to the short story fictional characters of (I) the princess in Frank. R Stockton’s “The Lady, or the Tiger?”, (II) Jerry in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’s “A Mother in Mannville”, and (III) Waverly Jong in Amy Tan’s “Rules of the Game.”

Throughout my two years during high school, I have learned a fairly good amount about analyzing literature. Although I am not fully confident about it, I do know the basics of analyzing literature and it is not just straightforward. Analyzing literature is not just about summarizing the text, it’s more than that. Out of the many ways of analyzing I learned to take each element of the story and looking at it “beneath the story.”