How to Read Literature Like a Professor Padlet by Riley Bryan

Weather

pearsonj26_1 — 2024-09-23 12:56:03 UTC

Weather is never just weather. It's never just rain.

Symbols

nishtajijosh — 2024-09-23 12:57:23 UTC

People expect them to mean one something in particular. However, symbols usually don't work so neatly.

Weather's Roles

pearsonj26_1 — 2024-09-23 12:58:39 UTC

Drowning is one of our deepest fears

Rain cleanses or restores
Rain + Sun combine to create rainbows to symbolize divine promise and peace between heaven and earth
Fog signifies confusion
Snow is versatile - it can be used to symbolize almost anything

Connections

pearsonj26_1 — 2024-09-23 13:13:01 UTC

Text-Text Ex: In the 1994 thriller, The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne escapes prison after 28 years under a false conviction. In the scene of his escape, he is standing, arms open under the pouring rain, symbolizing his cleanse of his false, criminal persona.

Text-Self Ex: On my long car ride home, I felt sorrowful as I thought about the summers I had at summer camp as I just finished my last year as a camper. The rain outside the window reflected the sad and empty mood of the realization that my childhood was coming to an end.

Why not just one meaning?

nishtajijosh — 2024-09-23 13:15:27 UTC

Loss of infinite possible interpretations

Must bring something of ourselves to the text
Determined by individual engagement and history
Can be sure of what the symbol means for you
Can be events and actions as well
Can best be determined through creativity, instinct, and emotion

Connections

nishtajijosh — 2024-09-23 13:17:06 UTC

Text-Text Ex: In the 1994 movie Black Beauty, the reins used to control the horses represent the cruelty and suffering that animals face as a result of human actions. It can also represent the subjugation of animals to serve a purpose for humans.

Text-Self Ex: Whenever I am in an unfamiliar place, I see a cardinal. This common occurrence means that I associate cardinals with new beginnings and experiences. Others generally associate cardinals with good luck, strength, and hope. However, my personal experience means that I associate the cardinal with a different meaning.

The Bible

rileybryan929 — 2024-09-23 13:20:37 UTC

The story of the Bible never grows old.

Christianity in Literature

rileybryan929 — 2024-09-23 13:28:02 UTC

Biblical influences include stories, themes and symbols
Authors use these to create deeper meanings, spiritually and culturally in their novel

They also utilize titles, names, and scripture from the Bible
The Bible is timeless and archetypal; the stories will always be relevant to modern times.

Connections

rileybryan929 — 2024-09-24 15:11:24 UTC

Text-Text Ex: The 1994 Disney hit, The Lion King, includes many Biblical allusions. Mufasa represents God, who sends his only son, Simba, to save his people from Scar, who resembles Satan and sin. Also, the Mufasa versus Scar conflict closely follows the story of Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy, and every villain is thought to be descended from him.

Text-Self Ex: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV Translation) I try to apply this into my everyday life for how I should love others as Jesus showed his love.

nishtajijosh — 2024-09-24 15:58:07 UTC

nishtajijosh — 2024-09-24 15:59:55 UTC

nishtajijosh — 2024-09-24 16:01:48 UTC