Every quest has 5 basic elements: A Quester A place to go A stated reason to go there Challenges and trials The real reason to go — which is ALWAYS self-knowledge

Whenever people eat or drink together, it’s COMMUNION Not usually religious Not usually religious The positioning/dialogue of the “diners” can tell you a lot. The positioning/dialogue of the “diners” can tell you a lot. POSITIVE: act of sharing and peace POSITIVE: act of sharing and peace NEGATIVE: A failed meal carries negative connotations NEGATIVE: A failed meal carries negative connotations

Sexual implications? 19th century authors used vampirism to address sex indirectly More modern instances of vampirism tend to be symbolic: Selfishness; exploitation (Daybreakers, Blade, the 13 Bullets series) Bigotry; intolerance of differences (TrueBlood) Feelings of being an “outsider” (Twilight, Vampire Diaries) Metaphorical disease/infection (I Am Legend, The Strain)

There is no such thing as a wholly original work of literature There is no such thing as a wholly original work of literature, stories grow out of other stories, poems out of other poems. There is only one story—of humanity and human nature, endlessly repeated. intertextuality We’ll learn archetypes, themes, and recurring symbols so that we understand intertextuality, because recognizing the connections between stories deepens our appreciation and experience, it brings multiple layers of meaning to the text.

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Writers tend to [re]use well known stories/themes/etc. when constructing their own stories. Shakespeare’s work is (whether you realize it or not) pervasive so his characters/phrases/etc. pop-up CONSTANTLY in modern literature. Shakespeare’s work is (whether you realize it or not) pervasive so his characters/phrases/etc. pop-up CONSTANTLY in modern literature.

Hamlet To be, or not to be: that is the question". – (Act III, Scene I). "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; (Act I, Scene III). "This above all: to thine own self be true". - (Act I, Scene III). "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't.". - (Act II, Scene II). "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so". - (Act II, Scene II). "The lady doth protest too much, methinks". - (Act III, Scene II).

As You Like It "All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. (Act II, Scene VII). King Richard III "Now is the winter of our discontent". - (Act I, Scene I). Romeo and Juliet "O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?". - (Act II, Scene II). "Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." - (Act II, Scene II). "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". - (Act II, Scene II).

Macbeth "What 's done is done".- (Act III, Scene II). "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." - (Act IV, Scene I). King Lear "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!" - (Act I, Scene IV). Othello "‘Tis neither here nor there." - (Act IV, Scene III). Twelfth Night "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them". - (Act II, Scene V).

Often, the only book carried by the colonists that started America, writers can count on people being familiar with Biblical stories, regardless of whether they believe in the actual religion or not.

Garden of Eden--women tempting men and causing their downfall, the apple as an object of temptation, The serpent - The serpent - who tempts men to do evil, and a fall from innocence. David and Goliath — the “little guy” stands up to, and defeats, the overwhelming enemy. The Flood — destruction followed by restoration. Lucifer’s Challenge of his Father: “Better to reign in Hell Than serve in Heaven.” The Four Horsemen The Four Horsemen (War, Famine, Pestilence, Death)

Hansel and Gretel Hansel and Gretel — lost children trying to find their way home. Peter Pan — refusing to grow up. Alice in Wonderland - Alice in Wonderland - entering a world that doesn’t work rationally or operates under different rules. Cinderella Cinderella — orphan abused by adopted family saved through supernatural intervention Snow White Snow White — evil character brings “death” to an innocent, saved by heroic character. Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Beauty — a girl becoming woman/avoidance of growing up. ARCHETYPES: ARCHETYPES: Prince Charming/Fairy Godmother/Damsel in Distress

Myths were the original stories; some of the essential functions of mythology Myths were the original stories; some of the essential functions of mythology: “eliciting…a sense of awe before the mystery of being” – making us aware how incredible the World around us truly is. “Supporting the social order” – making the individual reader feel integrated within his/her particular group. “Guiding [the reader] toward his/her own spiritual realization” – making us realize that, at the end of the day, __ ___ ___.

Definition: A collection of stories belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes. The main characters in myths are gods, demigods, heroes & humans. As stories, myths are often endorsed by rulers and priests and closely linked to religion/spirituality. In the society in which it is told, a myth is usually regarded as a true account of the remote past.

Rain Rain Our most basic NEED - Fertility and life Our most basic FEAR – drowning Of course, it creates “Atmosphere” Democratic - the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike Symbolically, Rain is clean—a form of purification, baptism, removing sin or stain. Rain is restorative—can bring a dying earth back to life. Rain is destructive—causes pneumonia, colds, etc.; hurricanes, Snow PRO — clean, pure, playful. CON — cold, stark, inhospitable,

Crucified, wounds in hands, feet, side, and head, often portrayed with arms outstretched. Self-sacrificing, very forgiving Good with children Humble mode(s) of transportation Possibly spent time alone [in the wilderness] Believed to have had a confrontation with the devil, possibly tempted Came to redeem an unworthy world Why use Christ figures? Deepens our sense of a character’s sacrifice, thematically has to do with redemption, hope, or miracles. Which returns us to what we’re supposed to learn from most of these stories…

Symbolically: freedom, escape, the flight of the imagination, spirituality, return home, largeness of spirit, love. Interrupted flight is generally negative.

Baptism is symbolic death, and rebirth as a new individual. Drowning/burying is metaphorical baptism, IF the character comes back up, they are symbolically reborn, often stronger in some way and with a renewed sense of purpose in life. There’s also “implied baptism” when a character is renamed.

Summer = heat (passion,) lust, playfulness Summer = heat (passion,) lust, playfulness Fall = harvest, reaping what we sow. Fall = harvest, reaping what we sow. Winter = hibernation, lack of growth, death. Winter = hibernation, lack of growth, death. Spring = fertility, growth, resurrection Spring = fertility, growth, resurrection

Physical marks or imperfections symbolically mirror moral, emotional, or psychological scars or imperfections. Physical imperfection when caused by society, often reflects what is wrong with the culture [that caused the damage.] Landscapes can be “scarred” as well

Frankenstein - monsters created through no fault of their own; the real monster is the maker. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - the dual nature of humanity, that in each of us, no matter how well-made or socially groomed, a monstrous “other” exits. Quasimodo - while ugly on the outside, beautiful on the inside. Ironically, the physical deformity reflects the opposite of the truth.

SOMEtimes…Physical blindness mirrors psychological, moral, intellectual blindness. SOMEtimes…Physical blindness mirrors psychological, moral, intellectual blindness. SOMEtimes…the blindness is ironic; the blind see more/better than the ones with ‘working’ eyes. SOMEtimes…the blindness is ironic; the blind see more/better than the ones with ‘working’ eyes. SOMEtimes… blindness is metaphorical, a failure to see reality, love, truth SOMEtimes… blindness is metaphorical, a failure to see reality, love, truth

 Heart disease is usually symbolic of bad love, loneliness, cruelty, disloyalty, cowardice, lack of determination.  Socially, something on a larger scale or something seriously amiss at the heart of the matter.

Why? In situations where sex is censored, it can be alluded to in a variety of ways. When authors write directly about sex, they’re writing about something else, such as submission, rebellion, domination, loss of innocence, reunion, etc.

First of all, this may sound obvious, but the story you’re reading/watching may not have been intended for an audience of YOUR age/timeline, so try to “read” with the mindset/awareness of the audience it WAS written for… IRONY (which has become increasingly popular with modern audiences) trumps everything we’ve learned up to this point!

Foster, Thomas. How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines. New York: Harper Collins Publisher Inc., Nelson, Marti. From How to Read Literature Like a Professor Notes. n.p. n.d. Web. 28 June 2010.