1. Literary Analysis
Using How to read literature like a professor to become a better reader

2. Add to your notes as needed

3. Why do we read? Develop cultural and social awareness
Add to our collective schema
Become more adept at recognizing motifs (patterns/ dominate ideas)
Learn to better express our own thoughts and ideas to the world at large

4. The importance of symbolism
Symbol v. Allegory –You define the difference in your notes
Understanding symbols leads to
Greater appreciation of author craft
Greater understanding of our own approach to lit
Greater understanding of elements of the genre
Just like football

5. Symbol in review: Communion
Can be mistaken for a Biblical refence, but not necessarily the case.
Any kind of shared meal
Also shared drinks/ drugs/ substances

6. Communion: Positive portrayal
Shared family meal
Bringing people together
The end or start of an epic quest
Drinking/ Drugs shared mind

7. Communion: Negative examples
A ruined meal with an abrupt ending
A failed attempt at getting the meal to start
A bad drug/ substance experience with others

8. Communion as a stand in
Using the symbolic act of a meal as a replacement for other actions
Sexual
Aggression/ dominance
War/ strategy
Prelude to betrayal

9. WWJD: Bible as symbol
Symbolic connection is a way to connect cultures through common representation
Western society is drenched in Christianity
Common biblical references are a must to understand it
Biblical symbols fall into three categories

10. Biblical symbols Title/ name Direct quote
Frequently a lazy approach to Biblical symbolism
Quick way to make a connection, but weak on it’s own
Direct quote
Scene setting/ Bell hanging
Can be done well to influence mood

11. Biblical Allusion The highest form
A direct or indirect reference to a Biblical source
Used to make a much more solid connection
Frequently relies upon the reader understanding the reference

12. Classical Mythology Similar to Biblical myth
Understanding it is a big part of cultural schema
Can be used in all of the ways that Biblical stories can be
Tends to focus mainly on Greek Myth, but others like Norse, Native American, and regional, local myths can all be a part of this.

13. Beware of prejudice: pt 1
Symbols do not fit gender norms, or any other kind of norms
Christ figure can be a serial killer and still fit the model of a “Christ figure”
The extent that a symbol accurately connects to the original depends on the author
You don’t need to mark every box for a symbol to be a symbol
If you can see it, it’s there.

14. Beware of prejudice: pt 2
Every written work is, by it’s nature, connected to the period in which is was written
We have to learn about the time period in order to really get the meaning.
We have to be careful not to put our own understanding on different time period
The meaning of symbols changes, but still matters

15. Beware the irony
Recognizing and understanding irony is a key skill to develop
Irony means a subversion of expectations
Requires the reader to understand the symbols and situations