How to Read Literature Like a Professor

1. Every Story is a Quest: Recognize the Universal Journey

"Every trip is a quest (except when it's not)."

The hero's journey. At its core, every story follows a similar pattern: a character embarks on a journey, faces challenges, and returns transformed. This structure, popularized by Joseph Campbell, is found in countless narratives across cultures and time periods.

Key elements of the quest:

• A quester (protagonist)
• A destination or goal
• A stated reason for the journey
• Challenges and trials along the way
• The real reason for the quest (often self-knowledge)

Examples:

• Huckleberry Finn's journey down the Mississippi
• Frodo's quest to destroy the One Ring in Lord of the Rings
• Dorothy's adventure in The Wizard of Oz

By recognizing this universal structure, readers can better understand character motivations, anticipate plot developments, and appreciate the deeper themes of personal growth and transformation that underlie many stories.

2. Symbols and Metaphors: Decoding the Hidden Meanings

"Is that a symbol? Sure it is. You'll have to figure out what it stands for."

Layers of meaning. Authors use symbols and metaphors to add depth and richness to their writing, often conveying complex ideas through seemingly simple objects or actions.

Common symbols and their potential meanings:

• Water: rebirth, cleansing, or the unconscious
• Light/darkness: knowledge/ignorance, good/evil
• Colors: red (passion, danger), green (growth, envy), white (purity, emptiness)
• Seasons: spring (youth, renewal), winter (death, stagnation)

To interpret symbols:

1. Consider the context within the story
2. Look for repeated references or emphasis
3. Think about cultural and historical associations
4. Trust your instincts, but be prepared to support your interpretation

Remember that symbols can have multiple meanings and interpretations. The goal is not to find a single "correct" answer, but to engage with the text and explore its potential layers of significance.

3. Weather and Seasons: More Than Just Background

"It's more than just rain or snow."

Atmospheric significance. Weather and seasons in literature are rarely mere backdrops; they often reflect characters' emotions, foreshadow events, or reinforce themes.

Common weather/season symbolism:

• Rain: cleansing, rebirth, sorrow
• Snow: purity, isolation, death
• Spring: youth, hope, new beginnings
• Autumn: maturity, change, melancholy

Examples:

• The storm in Shakespeare's King Lear reflecting the chaos in the kingdom
• The oppressive heat in Albert Camus' The Stranger mirroring the protagonist's emotional state
• The "winter of discontent" in Richard III symbolizing political turmoil

When reading, pay attention to detailed weather descriptions or sudden changes in season. These often signal important shifts in the story's mood or direction. Authors may also subvert traditional associations for ironic effect, so consider how the weather interacts with other elements of the narrative.

4. Character Flaws and Physical Markings: Revealing Inner Truths

"He's blind for a reason, you know."

Outer reflects inner. Physical characteristics, especially disabilities or distinguishing marks, often symbolize deeper aspects of a character's personality or role in the story.

Common character-flaw connections:

• Blindness: insight or lack thereof (Oedipus, Tiresias)
• Lameness: moral or spiritual deficiency
• Scars: past trauma or experience

Examples:

• Captain Ahab's missing leg in Moby-Dick representing his obsession and incompleteness
• The Beast's appearance in Beauty and the Beast reflecting his inner nature
• Harry Potter's lightning bolt scar connecting him to his destiny

When encountering characters with notable physical traits:

1. Consider how the trait affects their interactions with others
2. Look for connections between the physical and the psychological
3. Think about how the trait might represent broader themes in the work

Remember that these representations can be problematic if not handled sensitively, especially regarding disability. Modern authors often subvert or critique these traditional symbolic uses.

5. Irony: The Ultimate Literary Device

"Irony trumps everything."

Expectations vs. reality. Irony occurs when there's a gap between what is expected and what actually happens. It's a powerful tool for creating humor, emphasizing themes, or revealing character.

Types of irony:

1. Verbal irony: saying one thing but meaning another
2. Situational irony: when the outcome is contrary to what's expected
3. Dramatic irony: when the audience knows something the characters don't

Examples:

• The fire station burning down in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
• Oedipus trying to avoid his fate only to fulfill it in Oedipus Rex
• The "perfect" couple with hidden problems in The Great Gatsby

To recognize irony:

• Look for contradictions between words and actions
• Consider the author's tone and intention
• Think about what would typically be expected in a given situation

Irony adds complexity and depth to literature, often revealing truths about human nature or society. It challenges readers to look beyond the surface and consider multiple layers of meaning.

6. Intertextuality: How Stories Build on Each Other

"There's no such thing as a wholly original work of literature."

Literary conversation. All literature exists in conversation with other works, drawing inspiration, borrowing elements, or responding to ideas from earlier texts. This web of connections is called intertextuality.

Forms of intertextuality:

• Direct references or quotes
• Structural similarities (e.g., following the Hero's Journey)
• Character archetypes (e.g., the wise mentor, the trickster)
• Thematic echoes

Examples:

• James Joyce's Ulysses retelling Homer's Odyssey in modern Dublin
• Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys reimagining Jane Eyre from another perspective
• Countless fairy tale retellings in modern literature

To engage with intertextuality:

1. Recognize familiar patterns or references
2. Consider how the new work transforms or comments on its sources
3. Think about why the author might have chosen those particular references

Understanding intertextuality enriches the reading experience, revealing deeper layers of meaning and connecting individual works to the broader tapestry of literature.

7. Violence and Death: Never Just About the Act Itself

"It's never just heart disease... and rarely just illness."

Symbolic significance. In literature, violence and death often carry metaphorical weight beyond their literal occurrence. They can represent social critique, character transformation, or broader themes of change and renewal.

Common uses of violence/death in literature:

• Coming of age or loss of innocence
• Societal criticism or commentary
• Catalyst for change or revelation
• Exploration of moral questions

Examples:

• The pig's head in Lord of the Flies symbolizing the beast within
• Mercutio's death in Romeo and Juliet marking the shift from comedy to tragedy
• The violence in Cormac McCarthy's novels reflecting a harsh, godless universe

When encountering violence or death in literature:

1. Consider its impact on characters and plot
2. Look for connections to broader themes
3. Think about what it might represent beyond the literal act

While graphic depictions can be disturbing, understanding their symbolic function helps readers engage with difficult subject matter on a deeper level.

8. Sex in Literature: It's Rarely Just About Sex

"Even when they write about sex, they're really writing about something else."

Beyond the physical. Sexual encounters in literature often serve as metaphors for power dynamics, character development, or societal commentary. They're rarely included solely for titillation.

Common themes explored through sex in literature:

• Power and control
• Identity and self-discovery
• Social taboos and rebellion
• Spiritual or transcendent experiences

Examples:

• The affair in Madame Bovary representing Emma's desire for freedom and passion
• The sexual encounters in 1984 as acts of political rebellion
• Holden Caulfield's anxieties about sex in The Catcher in the Rye reflecting his fear of adulthood

When analyzing sexual content in literature:

1. Consider the context and characters involved
2. Look for symbolic or metaphorical meanings
3. Think about how it relates to broader themes in the work

By recognizing the deeper significance of sexual encounters, readers can engage with these scenes on a more meaningful level, understanding their role in character and plot development.

9. Geography Matters: The Significance of Setting

"Geography matters…"

Place shapes story. The setting of a story is not just a backdrop; it often plays a crucial role in shaping characters, plot, and themes. Geography can be physical, cultural, or both.

Ways setting influences story:

• Character development and motivation
• Plot constraints or opportunities
• Atmosphere and mood
• Thematic resonance

Examples:

• The oppressive heat in A Streetcar Named Desire mirroring the characters' passions
• The isolated island in Lord of the Flies allowing for the breakdown of societal norms
• The contrast between the green light and the valley of ashes in The Great Gatsby

When considering setting:

1. Think about how it affects characters' choices and behavior
2. Look for symbolic representations in the landscape
3. Consider how changes in setting reflect changes in the story

Understanding the role of geography helps readers appreciate the interconnectedness of all elements in a story and how place can become a character in its own right.

10. Biblical and Mythological Allusions: Tapping into Collective Memory

"When in doubt, it's from Shakespeare... or the Bible."

Cultural shorthand. Authors often use allusions to biblical stories, classical myths, or well-known literary works as a form of shorthand, quickly conveying complex ideas or character types.

Common sources of allusions:

• The Bible (e.g., the Garden of Eden, the prodigal son)
• Greek and Roman mythology (e.g., Sisyphus, the Trojan Horse)
• Shakespeare's plays (e.g., star-crossed lovers, tragic flaws)
• Fairy tales and folklore

Examples:

• The character of Jim in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a Christ figure
• The name "Phoenix" in A Worn Path suggesting resurrection and perseverance
• Numerous Odyssey references in James Joyce's Ulysses

To recognize and interpret allusions:

1. Familiarize yourself with common sources
2. Consider how the allusion relates to the story's themes
3. Think about why the author chose that particular reference

Understanding allusions enriches the reading experience, revealing layers of meaning and connecting individual works to broader cultural narratives. It also highlights the ongoing dialogue between texts across time and cultures.

Last updated: January 22, 2025