How to Read Literature Like a Professor Baptism, Christ and Flights of Fancy

Baptism and Christ figures Pay attention to water!!!! When a character goes under water and when they surface from water is extremely symbolic (it is also symbolic if they don’t come back up!). Basically, it is a baptism, or a re-birth. On page 126, 128-29 of HRLLP, there are 2 lists. If characters exhibit traits from that list, they are Christ figures. Typically, whenever there is a sacrifice in literature, think Christ figure!!! Example: Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows part 2!

Cages and Freedom Basically, “flights of fancy” are moments in literature and file when a character is literally or figuratively caged, but are freed in some way (the reverse can also be true). It can include the following: Freedom from oppression Flight was temptation of Christ (Satan asks him to prove his divinity by flying) Escape, return home Love Spirit leaving the body (freedom from body) Dreaming (escape from reality) Limitations (chains) Feathers and wings and birds (pay attention to this imagery and think about plot, characters, symbolism, figurative meaning)

Shawshank Redemption Watch the clip from the movie Shawshank Redemption. How are all 3 (baptism, Christ figure, and flights of fancy) evident in the clip??? Anything else from HRLLP that we have discussed evident? Be ready to talk 

“I know why the caged bird sings” Annolight the poem by Maya Angelou, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” We are not writing on this poem; however, on the back, brainstorm how you would organize an essay analyzing this poem (think about HRLLP). Create a thesis statement for your hypothetical essay on the back of the poem. *** You will turn this in to me 