Monday, June 17, 2019
Question 6, Elizabeth McGuffey
There are two different levels found in literature: literal and symbolic. Something found on a “literal level” is taken at face value while something found on a “symbolic level” requires the reader to look deep within the text. Symbolism is found in almost every novel and can take a number of different forms, such as weather, actions, or even particular story lines; it’s up to readers to take the extra time to find it and comprehend its meaning. However, some readers are quick to assume that a symbol can only have one intended meaning when in reality there can be multiple interpretations of the same symbol. Foster writes that “…some symbols do have a relatively limited range of meanings, but in general a symbol can’t be reduced to standing for only one thing” (Foster 105). Nevertheless, dedicated readers go through the text with a fine tooth comb, carefully analyzing key elements and pondering their significance to the overall theme (or lack thereof). That being said, it should come to no surprise that the type of reading that professors and students do comes from practice. In order to be a successful literature student, it will take time and practice to find the types of symbolism Foster writes about. Some readers will say that, for example, a character walking through the fog is just someone walking through fog; just luck of the draw that they chose to walk in bad weather, they guess. However, others will look deeper into it and could find that the fog could represent the character’s current state of mind. As Foster notes, “In almost every case I can think of, authors to suggest that people can’t see clearly, that matters under consideration are murky” (Foster 75). Anyone can find a symbol, but it takes a truly committed reader to find an explanation for it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like how you stressed the importance that the reader
ReplyDeletehas in interpreting symbols. Whether the writer had a specific intention with the symbol, it is up to the reader to infer and draw conclusions. Symbols are so important in literature because it intensifies the importance for creative imagination, allowing the reader to interpret something
differently than others. In literature, there is no right or wrong meaning to one specific passage, it depends solely on the reader and the method of interpretation. I agree that encompassing an ability to understand symbols does indeed take time. Symbols can be difficult to interpret in various ways. That’s why I believe it takes creative intelligence and open mindedness to fully understand the meaning behind a symbol. Symbols allow readers and writers to expand their imagination, and think of things in a different light than once before.
One does not wake up one day and know how to interpret literature (including symbols that give a deeper meaning to books), and I agree with the idea that readers need practice to understand the "symbolic level" that Foster discusses in his book (112). Many readers take a book at face value until they have to change their way of thinking. I also agree that many readers hold onto the idea that certain objects, occurrences, or whatever is acting as a symbol can only mean one thing, when it can really mean many possibilities, which is a major flaw that readers have to overcome. The way professors and AP Lit. students analyze literature requires a level of independent thinking that takes time to build, and a sense of confidence to know they are not wrong to see a symbol in a different way than someone else. However, when readers can understand this ideology, then interpreting literature will become much easier.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your interpretation of Foster’s explanation on symbolism and how to recognize it while reading literature一practice is key. Like any math or foreign language, the analysis of fictional (and nonfictional) texts requires a great deal of critical thinking and the ability to stop thinking literally but instead, to use creativity and abstract thought in order to relate elements of one story to others or the real world. Uncovering an author’s intended meaning can be an extremely difficult task, but the genius revealed when you are finally able to do so is generally awe-inspiring. Therefore, yes, students and professors do need to practice in order to read on this deeper level, and it may require more time and effort on the readers’ behalves, but the results are definitely worth it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you defined the two different levels found in literature. This distinction is important because it gives reading more purpose and gives a reason to practice reading as there is an end goal of being able to understand symbols at a deeper level. This idea is essential for finding the motivation to dig deeper into books to find the true meaning of symbols and to find as many different possible interpretations of those symbols as possible. I really like how you defined the differences between a committed reader and one that is only reading into symbols at their surface value.
ReplyDelete