Sunday, July 21, 2019
Cassidy Woodrum -- Question 2
Another major point of emphasis for Foster throughout his guide is that “writing and telling belong to one big story” (57). In writing this, Foster is conveying the message that all stories and literary works, (all texts and pieces of art), are connected and spun from the same big story or idea一the story of human life. It includes all of the daily struggles we as a people face, to the greatest of existential questions that have long plagued our minds; it includes our emotions, our histories, our aspirations, and our fears. Foster even directly states, “It’s not about anything. It’s about everything” (194). This adds greatly to the understanding and richness of the reading experience because it gives so much more purpose and meaning to each text. It allows all readers to connect with at least some aspect of any story, and it enables them to learn more about themselves in return. Literature can give advice, comfort and console, as well as warn, all with the same basis一the story of humanity. As we evolve, and our problems and the challenges we face grow and change, so too does the story, the literature it produces, and our understanding of it. It’s very possible to read the same novel each year, and yet every time you read it, you take something new from it; this is because of not only extended learning and knowledge, but also extended life experience. I have seen this principle in my own experiences with art in general, through every text, movie, TV series, painting, etc., that I’ve come across. Every work has an underlying message or moral and captures emotion which can resonate with audiences. I, like many other readers, have been moved to tears over novels due to not only the outright plot lines, but also the hard or wonderful or terrifying truths they uncover. Another example of my experience with this principle is the abundance of religion in all art forms, which is one of the fundamental aspects of the “big story of humanity” because for us, it answers all of our boldest questions, deepest fears, and greatest hopes.
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I love how you used the story of human life to tie your idea together and then go on to explain further about how it ties to reading and telling. I also love how you noted that we take something from a book each time which is very true because, like you said, we face more as time goes on. I agree and think that Foster wants us to read literature more than once so this can happen to us and we can find more than we did the first time. Also, your last sentence is amazing and ties your whole post together!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your assessment that all stories are connected, as they are a representation of human life. Many works may have different plots, but overall they can possess a similar moral or message. I enjoy how you say that literature can offer comfort and consolation to the reader. Considering that works of literature tell the story of humanity, it allows the reader to relate to the piece that they are reading and gain emotional insight on the subject being addressed. Reading another person’s story has the ability to resonate with people because it sheds light on basic human dilemmas.
ReplyDeleteI think your point was very wonderfully executed. I haven’t put much thought into the fact that the rereading of texts can give you something different to take away each time. It is also interesting to think that while we learn about others’ experiences, we are subconsciously and consciously learning many things about ourselves. Like you said, there is almost always something to relate to in these stories, which can help us understand our similarities and differences.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I particularly appreciated in your response was how you mentioned that these works can “uncover” truths. It made me think about how these truths, despite sometimes being common experiences or values, need someone to put it in context so that the masses can really understand the message for what it is.
I liked your comment that all stories come from the same big idea - the story of life. You also said that as we face more challenges as we grow and change, this also affects the story and our understanding of it. If I read a book again that I read a few years ago, it would have different meaning to me. I have had a lot more life experiences and a book can affect me differently than it did when I was younger. When I was younger, I may have read a book for enjoyment or for a class assignment, now that I am a little older, I find myself reading books and looking for a deeper meaning. I can also relate what I am reading to experiences that I have had or other books I have read.
ReplyDeleteI like how you broke down the idea of human life into smaller categories like questions, emotions, struggles, histories, etc. I thought that made the idea more tangible and digestible since it is a very large, and sometimes confusing, claim that Foster made. I also like how you noted that movies, books, and other stories that contribute to the "one big story" often move people to tears because of the truths they uncover. I thought that was interesting and I had never thought of it that way. I think it’s interesting how you mentioned religion which is not something that initially stuck out to me when I answered the same prompt.
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