ipl-logo

Review Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas C. Foster

685 Words3 Pages

The book, How To Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, was written to help people of all ages better their understanding of works of literature by teaching them to relate multiple works of literature together, as well as being able to find common traits in literature ex. A meal isn’t normally just a meal. How To Read Literature Like a Professor is written in second person perspective, which means that the author is including you in the story, an example of this would be a dialogue between the author and yourself, or it says “you” a lot, ex. “You wake up and…”. After reading this novel the author, Thomas C. Foster, wants you to be a better overall reader and be able to identify certain parts in a book that are commonly found. …show more content…

Tolkien, is about a hobbit (A small mythical creature with very large feet) who goes on an unexpected journey with Thorin Oakenshield, a wizard (Gandalf), and 12 dwarves (Fili, Kili, Balin, Dwalin, Oin, Gloin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur) excluding Thorin. This novel was written in third person limited, meaning that the narrator is telling the story only being able to see the thoughts of one character. Throughout the novel they are constantly being pressured and must push on no matter what. Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) goes on this journey with Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim the lost kingdom of the dwarves, or the Kingdom Under the Mountain, the mountain itself is named the Lonely Mountain. The band of dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf travel there to reclaim their lost treasure because there is a whole spew of wealth guarded by a greedy dragon, Smaug. At one point, they get taken by spiders because one of them accidentally brushes against a spider web and they get ambushed by giant spiders, then the wood elves save them. Another example of a rising action would be when they get taken in, prisoners of the wood …show more content…

In the book The Hobbit, this is shown during chapter one “The Unexpected Party” where Bilbo is first introduced to the band of thirteen dwarves. They all end up eating together and the all are really nice to each other. When they are done eating they start to put things away, but while singing a song that would suggest otherwise “Chip the glasses and crack the plates! Blunt the knives and bend the forks!...”. Meanwhile they were neatly putting things away, in a sort of organized chaos which shows their trust for each other, coordination, and respect over others property. Chapter one of How to Read Literature Like a Professor explains how “Every trip is a Quest(except when it’s not)”, and literally that is what it states. It, more specifically, states that the quester has a stated reason to go there, an actual reason to go there, and the challenges that follow. Throughout the story Bilbo’s reason that was really obvious(stated reason) was because he wanted to help the dwarves on their journey, the actual reason I believed that he want there was because he wanted to find his courage and be a stronger more independent hobbit. The company also faced many trials, for example, when they came to the Misty Mountains and camped out for the night. While camped, Bilbo was restless and saw a hole with

Show More
Related
641 Words | 3 Pages

The book How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster, teaches readers how to pick up all the hints authors leave in their stories, and thus understand literature better (hence the title). Written in second person point of view, Foster explains how to spot the signs, and addresses questions he assumes most readers would ask about them. He provides well known examples and explanations to further his readers’ comprehension and does not hesitate to repeatedly clarify what he is saying to make sure they get the point. Foster believes this guide will help them better understand the novels that they read, wants them to ruminate the context and content, and hopes they consider his teachings while reading. Written by Kate Cary under

Read More
181 Words | 1 Pages

By reading “How to Read Literature like a Professor” and “The Kite Runner”, the reader is aided in his or her ability to understand the true meanings behind the text. One is able to decipher how the act of coming together to eat can mean anything from a simple meal with family, to an uncomfortable situation that leads to anger or stress in an individual character. The reader is able to understand the use of rain or other weather in a novel to transform the mood and tone of scene, or understand the cleansing or destructive qualities that weather may have on the overall plot of the story. The use of illness can be transformed, as it can lead to the reader discovering veiled means behind tuberculosis, cholera, a simple cold, or even cancers such

Read More
1562 Words | 7 Pages

Bilbo Baggins finds another side of himself he is the one leading the group of dwarves. In chapter 8 Mr. Bilbo Baggins shows real bravery by been able to set himself and the dwarves free from the spiders. In chapter 9 Mr. Bilbo Baggins shows intelligence by been able to devise a plan to set the dwarves free from the wood elves prison. In chapter 12 it is Mr. Bilbo Baggins alone that goes into Smaug dragon’s lair and he is also able to find Smaug’s vulnerable spot. In chapter 16 Mr. Bilbo Baggins is willing to give up his share of the wealth to bring peace to the humans, dwarves, and

Read More
800 Words | 4 Pages

Thomas Foster’s book, How to Read literature Like a Professor, teaches many readers the importance of reading and understanding a book. He includes points in his book that are easy to connect to books that the readers have read, making it easy for readers to understand the meaning of each chapter. Thomas Foster’s book obviously connects to the book, Wonder, readers can identify a questor, the importance of a meal scene, and

Read More
1174 Words | 5 Pages

“The Hobbit,” a timeless classic containing dragons, dwarves, elves and more, is a great tale to read again and again. But “The Hobbit” is not only impressive because of all the daring adventures, it is impressive because of how the story develops. From the beginning, middle to the end, the story flows, and adapts to each conflict Bilbo Baggins faces. By captivating the reader, J. R. R. Tolkien takes his audience along with Bilbo Baggins through each step of the hero’s journey developing greatly along the way. Each part of the story plays a crucial role to piece together the masterpiece that is “The Hobbit.”

Read More
625 Words | 3 Pages

After a horrid time fighting the spiders in Mirkwood, the dwarves are soon captured by the Wood-elves, but Bilbo utilizes the ring’s power to disappear. Bilbo, now hidden and lost, hides around the elven palace for 2 weeks until he finally decides that the dwarves needed his help and his alone. He finds out where the dwarves are being held after their apprehension, and much more about the palace's grounds as well as it’s exits and entrances. Bilbo creates and executes a plan by himself that saves his friends and shows his growth in character. Nearing the end of the tale is by far the most suspenseful chapters, in which Bilbo enters the Dragon's lair, once the dwarves home.

Read More
892 Words | 4 Pages

Take them away to dark holes full of snakes, and never let them see the light again!” (Tolkien 64). The fight led to several goblins including the Great Goblin to their deaths. Everyone managed to escape except Bilbo, who falls and blacks out while getting a piggyback ride from

Read More
1075 Words | 5 Pages

Ryan Abbott 6th Period 8/20/15 How to Read Literature Like a Professor and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest are Connected a lot More than You Might Think There is only one word that ties everything together in a story: connections. That is how piece of literature is formed.

Read More
259 Words | 2 Pages

Bilbo Baggins the Burglar Thesis: In the book The Hobbit, the character Bilbo Baggins is a middle class hobbit who must challenged his introverted nature to help the dwarves reclaim their land. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, who lives in his hobbit hole. Hobbits are generally short and fat introverted people who don’t leave their house much. Bilbo Baggins was living like that, until one day, thirteen dwarves and his old wizard friend(Gandalf) enter his house and start eating and talking like it was their house.

Read More
902 Words | 4 Pages

The purpose of How to Read Literature Like a Professor: For Kids by Thomas C. Foster is to gain a deeper understanding of fiction books by analyzing subtle literary devices hidden in the text and being able to discover these subtle secrets, readers can notice patterns, foreshadows, symbolism, and the author’s true purpose for the piece of literature. Foster’s lessons can be seen in The House of the Seven Gables, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The mansion with seven gables is cursed by Mathew Maule who was wrongfully accused of witchcraft by Colonel Pyncheon. This curse plagues future generations with poverty, bad luck, and violence within the house. As Phoebe Pyncheon goes to live with her cousins, Hepzibah and Clifford, she learns of dark secrets

Read More
764 Words | 4 Pages

Gandalf calls Bilbo to adventure at the beginning of the story, and Bilbo is forced to realize that “adventures are not all pony-rides in May-sunshine” (Tolkien 33). Bilbo’s journey to a hero begins with gaining an understanding that he must expose himself to uncertainty in order to help his group. After Bilbo crosses the first threshold with help from Gandalf, he finds himself in the ‘belly of the whale’ with

Read More
204 Words | 1 Pages

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit,his mother was a member of the Took family, who are considered a little rare. His house just a hole in the ground. Bilbo meets Gandalf(wizard)and he tells him that he is looking for someone to share an adventure with. Bilbo says no many times, even after Gandalf reveals his name and story to Bilbo and what he meant to the Took family. Bilbo invites him for a tea the next afternoon, after that the Wizard leaves a mark at Bilbo’s house and leaves the home.

Read More
663 Words | 3 Pages

The Hobbit Literary Analysis Would you be able to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of adventure and a promise of treasure? This was the predicament Bilbo Baggins is unexpectedly presented with one sunny afternoon. Thirteen dwarves appear at his door and put forward their offer. Bilbo is a little apprehensive at first but soon comes to the realization that in his ordinary life of a Hobbit in the Shire he will never get another opportunity like this again. When reading The Hobbit, being able to step out of your comfort zone is a major key.

Read More
774 Words | 4 Pages

Joining the two, the dwarves are also embarking on a great quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon, Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters many challenges

Read More
777 Words | 4 Pages

Behind each movie lies the meaningful aspects and significant features worth noticing. All movies and books can be carefully examined and interpreted. Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor provides a new view on interpreting literature. In the novel, Foster identifies and analyzes common patterns, themes, and motifs found in literature, many of which are also present in Disney’s film, Maleficent. This movie showcases several of his ideas, including quests, flight, geography, and symbolism.

Read More

More about Review Of How To Read Literature Like A Professor By Thomas C. Foster

Related Topics

Open Document