How To Read Literature Like A Professor Summer Assignment: September 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014

Short Fiction Assignment #1: Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken

First reading this short story, I expected it to be entirely about the first snowfall of the year. Along with the story being about the first snowfall of the year, I expected the presumable things that come along with winter to follow close behind-the family gathering, presents, food, etc. However, I was wrong, and should've know that from the start. As Foster stated in, How To Read Literature Like a Professor, weather isn't always just weather--there is a deeper meaning behind it. This point ties in with the use of snow in Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken, and creates a bigger meaning with the use of theme.

In this story, Paul, the young boy becomes infatuated with daydreaming and thinking about snow. Everything else is put on hold and the only thing Paul cares about for the time being is snow. He stops caring about reality, homework, and grows distant from his mother and father. The theme in this story can be viewed as a common theme for coming of age stories, a rejection of reality. Snow is pure, innocent, the only truly good thing in his life. The paradise that he escapes to whenever he needs to. Reality is the real world--the filthy, tampered world where nothing is as it seems. The more and more he separates himself from the real world, the more he is happy and content in this dream state or world. That is why Paul rejects reality and becomes submerged into this dream world of only pure snow. Because if all is good and content, pure, so to say, what is there to be bad or go wrong?

Bibliography
Aiken, Conrad. "Silent Snow, Secret Snow." (n.d.): 1-12. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Bibliography

Bibliography

Hamilton, Edith . Mythology. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1942. Print.

Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor. New York: HarperCollins, 2003. Print.

"Hercules." GreekMythology. GreekMythology, 2000. Web. 4 Sept. 2014. <http://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Heroes/Heracles/heracles.html>.

"The Old Testament - A Brief Overview." The Story of Creation. Bible History, n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.

Morris, Henry M. "The Resurrection of Christ - The Best-Proved Fact in History." The Resurrection Of Christ. The Institute for Creation Research, n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.

"Bible Gateway Passage: Matthew 27:32-56 - New International Version."Bible Gateway. Bible Gateway, n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2014.

Kinsolving, Cary. "Kids Talk About God." Why Did Peter Deny Jesus Three Times? by Carey Kinsolving on Creators.com. Creators.com, n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.

"Perseus." Perseus. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Sept. 2014.

"Theseus and the Minotaur." Untitled Document. Ancient-Greece.org, n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Resurrection

The Resurrection Biblical Allusion Source: Luke 24, John 20+21

Jesus was crucified
On the third day, Mary went to the tomb to look upon Jesus
An angel appeared saying Jesus has risen
Jesus rose
More disciples began following Jesus

Commentary: This allusion is about resurrection or being reborn and getting a second chance. This again takes place in Narnia, Aslan is reborn from the Stone Table and is given a second chance in helping the people he loves.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion Biblical Allusion Source: Matthew 27

Jesus was publicly beaten
He was mocked and struck in the head
A crown of thorns was placed on his head and he was stripped naked
Stake nails were driven in his wrists and was fastened to the cross
Self-sacrifice

Commentary: This allusion has to deal with self-sacrifice and enduring pain for the ones you love. This allusion works best for the example of Narnia. Aslan, the lion, sacrifices himself so the children don't get injured or killed.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Denial

The Denial Biblical Allusion Source: Matthew 26

Jesus said his disciples would abandon him
Peter said no three times
Despite saying he doesn't know Jesus, Jesus forgives Peter

Commentary: This allusion has to deal with keeping faith and hope that things will be okay in the end. This allusion connects with the movie The Green Mile. In the movie, John Coffey, never gives up hope and faith despite being sent to walk the green mile (known as a walk to death) inside the prison. He continues to bring joy and happiness despite the grim outlooks on his life.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: Judas and the Betrayal

Judas and the Betrayal Biblical Allusion Source: Matthew 25, 26

Jesus announces he will be crucified
Chief priests are conspiring about arresting Jesus
Chief priests find Judas who is paid to betray Jesus
Judas kisses Jesus
Chief priests arrest Jesus

Commentary: This allusion is about betrayal and greed. The main example that fits this would be Macbeth by William Shakespeare. There are numerous times in the book where Macbeth betrays people for his own personal gain, but there is one example in particular where he betrays his best friend, Banquo, just to gain more power for himself.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Last Supper

The Last Supper Biblical Allusion Source: Mark 14; John 13

Teaches us about commitment
Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead with instructions on where to prepare the Passover meal
That evening Jesus sat down at the table with 12 apostles to eat his final meal
One would soon betray him

Commentary: This allusion is mainly about commitment and being there for one another. A perfect example of this takes place in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. In Les Miserables, Marius and his friends are preparing to fight in the second French Revolution. They have put the time and commitment in and even though they may not be the most skilled army, they have the most heart.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: Lazarus

Lazarus Biblical Allusion Source: John 11:1-12:1

Lazarus was friends with Jesus
Lazarus fell ill and died
God said Lazarus would rise again
Lazarus arose and people put their faith in Jesus

Commentary: This allusion is about trust and friendship. The example that fits this allusion the best would be Winnie the Pooh. In order to be a friend to someone, you have to learn to trust the other person. Winne the Pooh and Piglet share that connection, they both trust each other and both care for each other deeply.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Nativity

The Nativity Biblical Allusion Source: Matthew 1, Luke 2

Gabriel told Mary she would have God's child
Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem but there was no place to stay
Spent the night in a manger, Jesus was born
The shepherds and wise men came bearing gifts for Jesus

Commentary: This has to deal with trusting something you believe in and willing to follow through completely. This example can be shown in Narnia. The children completely trust Aslan with their life and are will to follow Aslan in whatever he does.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: David and Goliath

David and Goliath Biblical Allusion Source: I Samuel 17

David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and became concerned
David volunteered to fight Goliath
Carrying only a staff and a pouch of stones, David began to fight
Goliath had David in a kill strike, David then grabbed a stone and struck Goliath on the head
David one the fight

Commentary: This allusion is about facing your fears and standing up for something. This can be found in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus faces his fears of protecting a colored man and stands up for something bigger than himself--racial equality.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Book of Ruth

The Book of Ruth Biblical Allusion Source: The Old Testament

A love story
Its purpose was to show love, and faithfulness that God desires for us
Ruth remain loyal to Naomi after her husband dies and her in-laws
Her family gives her extra grain to eat
Boaz and Ruth are married and conceive a son

Commentary: Despite all that Ruth has gone through, the loss of her husband and in-laws she still finds it in her heart to love other people. She still remains close with her mother-in-law despite the death of her husband. In my personal life, my second cousin lost her husband and still remains close with her mother in law, just because of all the memories they share together.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: The Book of Job

The Book of Job Biblical Allusion Source: The Old Testament

Job is a wealthy man living in Uz
He does a relatively good job of avoiding evil
One day, Satan appears before God and God boasts about Job
Satan argued that Job is only good because God boasts about him
Satan challenges God saying if given permission to punish the man, Job will curse God
Job receives news that all of his children have died and everything is lost, yet he still praises God
Job is then afflicted with skin sores, but still praises God

Commentary: No matter what happens, Job praises God. He never gives up hope and he still believes in God. This can be compared to the book The French Lieutenant's Woman. The two main characters go through this lustful love affair but never give up hope, and they still believe that they can end up together.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: Exodus 1-4, 20

Exodus 1-4, 20 Biblical Allusion Source: Exodus

Pharaoh's daughter raises an abandoned child named Moses
Moses knows that he is Hebrew and ends up killing an Egyptian who beats up an Israelite
Begins a new life as a shephard
God is concerned with the suffering of the Israelites and speaks to Moses
Moses goes back to help the Israelites and goes to the Pharaoh and turns his staff into a snake
God responds by inflicting ten plagues on Egypt
God creates the ten commandments and Israelites renew commitment to God

Commentary: This allusion has to deal with trust and hope. Moses never gives up hope on God, and each task that God throws at him he comes back stronger. An example of this has to deal with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Katniss deals with every challenge that is thrown at her and she comes out stronger because her nation trusts her.

Part 2- Biblical Allusion: Abraham and Isaac

Abraham and Isaac Biblical Allusion Source: Genesis 22

Abraham feared God and obeyed his commandments
God told Abraham to take his son Isaac, and to journey to Mount Moriah
There he built an altar and offer Isaac as the sacrifice
A story of sacrifice and love

Commentary: This Allusion shares the same parallels as God himself. God himself sacrifices his own son, Jesus. Jesus dies and pays for the sins and his sins are washed away upon his death, this is similar to Abraham and Isaac.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: Cain and Abel

Cain and Abel Biblical Allusion Source: Genesis 4-6

Adam and Ever had two children; Cain and Abel
Cain was a farmer
Abel was a shephard
Cain brought fruit from the ground as a sacrifice to God
Abel brought the fat portions from some of their meat
God favored Abel
Cain got angry because God favored Abel more than him
Cain ends up killing Abel

Commentary: This story has to deal with jealousy and the power jealousy has in consuming people. An example of this would have to be Macbeth. Macbeth becomes extremely jealous and lustful for power throughout the whole play when he realizes he could be a very powerful man.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: "The Flood"

"The Flood" Biblical Allusion Source: The Old Testament- Genesis 6

God declares 120 years for mans life span
God saw wickedness in man's heart and reevaluated making man
He decides to wipe everything from the earth, except for Noah
Noah, a righteous man, had three sons; Shem, Ham, and Japeth
God tells Noah that He is destroying everything that exists on earth at this point
God tells Noah to build an ark
God floods the earth and everything inside the ark survives

Commentary: The main concept of this allusion is rebirth. God is trying to create and recreate the earth after what all has happened. It is only coincidentally that the rebirth also has to do with water and flooding. This example can be found in the book The Shawshank Redemption. Andy Dufrane is welcomed by a rainstorm that cleanses him of all of his past sins in Shawshank prison.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: "The Fall"

"The Fall" Biblical Allusion Source: The Old Testament- Genesis 3

Known as the fall of man
The serpent comes to Eve and tempts her to eat the forbidden fruit
Eve eats it and gives some to Adam
Adam and Eve, knowing they've sinned, hide in the Garden until God arrives
God curses the serpent and promises a savior to crush the head of it
Woman must now go through childbirth
Man has to work to produce
All people have to die
God forces them out of the garden and clothes them

Commentary: The main concept of this is the loss of one's child like qualities and learning to grow up into a more mature adult. This example can be found in Romeo and Juliet. When Juliet chooses to make the move of marrying Romeo in defiance of her parents, this is a loss of innocence. She leaves her child like qualities behind and makes the choice of marrying the love of her life.

Part 2- Biblical Allusions: Story of Creation

Story of Creation Biblical Allusion Source: The Old Testament- Genesis 1

Everything was dark and dismal before God
God spent the first day creating light and separated the day and night
On the second day, the sky was created by God
On the third day, God created the ground and gathered the water into the oceans/seas and land/vegetation
On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon, stars and seasons, day, years
On the fifth day, created winged birds and living sea animals and blessed them to reproduce
On the sixth day, land animals and man/woman to rule over the earth and reproduce
On the seventh day, God rested and made earth holy

Commentary: The concept of this story is creating this perfect world in which everything consists in harmony. This can be found in the book Utopia by Thomas More, he creates a perfect society in which everything is idealistic and nothing bad happens.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Theseus

Theseus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Known as Athen's great hero
Not only was he strong and courageous he was intelligent
King Minos created the Minotaur and Theseus was going to kill the Minotaur because he didn't want more children to die
Theseus made it his goal to kill the Minotaur
Before killing the Minotaur, Princess Ariadne wrote a note to Theseus that gives him some tips
Ariadne gave Theseus a sword and ball of string to find his way through the maze
He tied the string to the door to find his way back and he slayed the Minotaur

Commentary: The concept of this myth is that intelligence and wit prevails through every challenge that comes along the way. An example of this concept comes from the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Harry Potter had his name thrown into the Goblet of Fire during the Tricup Wizard Tournament even though he is not old enough. In the end though, despite him being younger, his wit and intelligence allows him to prevail.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: River Styx

River Styx Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Located in the Underworld and home to those who are dead
Separated the world of the living from the world of the dead
Once your soul go to the river, the Charon would give you a ride but you had to pay with the coins you were buried with
If you received a ride or swam across the River Styx, you had to wait for reincarnation
Some souls were sent to Hades as punishment

Commentary: The purpose of the River Styx is crossing thresholds from the mortal living world to the dead underworld. Another example of crossing thresholds comes from the movie Back to the Future. Marty McFly has to cross the threshold from modern day 1980 to back in time to 1950.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Perseus

Perseus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Born to Danae and Zeus
King Polydectes falls in love with Danae and has a plan to get rid of Perseus
Polydectes convinces Perseus to slay Medusa
Hermes lends his knowledge to Perseus saying that his sword with guide him
Athena gives Perseus her shield and tells him to look at Medusa through this
He slays Medusa successfully and on his way back falls in love with Andromeda
Kills Polydectes with Medusa's head

Commentary: This myth deals with looking fear in the face and conquering it to get what we want. The book that deals with facing fear head on would be The Hunger Games. Katniss has to come to terms with facing fear in the arena, she has to kill kids her own age for the survival of herself to make sure she makes it home successfully.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Oedipus

Oedipus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Very tragic hero form of mythology
Son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta
A curse foretold any son born of Jocasta would kill King Laius
Jocasta had a son, so Laius pierced the child's feet so he would bleed to death
Oedipus was saved and adopted
He ends up killing King Laius
Marries his mother, Jocasta

Commentary: This myth involves a lot of tragedy and the change within family dynamic. This can also be found in The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen. Throughout the book the family dynamic changes substantial through lies within a family and the repercussions it entails.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Jason and the Golden Fleece

Jason and the Golden Fleece Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Jason has to claim his rightful place on the throne
Had to go through tasks
Hera decided to test whether Jason was a true hero or not and has him cross a raging torrent to Loleus
Jason underwent many other tasks to gain the throne
Aeetes did not want to give the fleece to Jason
Jason, protected by Ares, went for the fleece which was protected by a dragon
Medea gave the dragon a sleeping potion and they left with the fleece

Commentary: This myth has a lot to do with proving to people that a challenge is worth the work and the duration because proving other people wrong is rewarding. This myth connects most with the book Peak by Roland Smith. Throughout the book, Peak (the main character's nickname) deals with the scrutiny of other people saying he can't climb Mt. Everest, but he does.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Hector

Hector Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Eldest son of King Priam
He was the chief warrior of the Trojan army
Known as the ideal warrior and is responsible of keeping Troy safe
Good son, loving husband, and reliable friend
Defended and wounded at Sarpedon
When Achilles deserted the Greek Army, and Hector drove them back
Achilles then slays Hector

Commentary: This myth deals a lot with the concept of reliability and the importance of staying true to family dignity. Hector stays true to his family and is behind his family all the time. Although, this is not a connection to a book, it is a connection to real life. I strive to keep dignity in my family and uphold my family name by getting good grades, participating in sports, and trying my best everyday.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Echo and Narcissus

Echo and Narcissus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Echo falls in love with Narcissus, but can only rely on hearing and speaking, not sight
Narcissus gets lost and calls out for help and Echo responds
After talking, Echo goes to introduce herself to Narcissus and he is not attracted to her at all
Echo leaves crying and depressed that her body deteriorates and all that is left is her voice
Narcissus goes to drink from the pond and falls in love with his reflection
He dies because he is too caught up in himself; all that is left behind is a Narcissus flower by the pond

Commentary: This myth has a lot to deal with self obsession and falling for something that is not real but you so badly want it to be. This concept is shown when Harry Potter stumbles upon the Mirror of Erised. The Mirror of Erised shows him was is not real, his parents, but he wants it to be so bad that he spends countless nights without sleep just watching the mirror.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Cupid and Psyche

Cupid and Psyche Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

One of three daughters, viewed as the most beautiful
She is so beautiful that men begin to say she is prettier than Aphrodite
Aphrodite get jealous and orders her son, Cupid, to make Psyche fall in love with the ugliest thing
Cupid goes to take care of the order, but he ends up falling in love so he pricks himself with his love arrow
Nobody falls in love with Psyche
Psyche then gets whisked away to a mountain after receiving an oracle that says her husband to be waits there
Her husband comes at night, and tells her she must never try and see what he looks like
Her sisters tell Psyche she needs to see who this person is
Her husband ends up being Cupid, she sees him and because of that she'll never see him again because she broke the rules
Psyche then goes to Aphrodite for forgiveness; she then has to complete a task for Cupid's lover
She has to collect Persephone's beauty in a box and is told not to open it
She opens it and falls into a deep sleep
Cupid wakes her up and they live happily ever after

Commentary: The plot line of this myth is fairly similar to the fairy-tale Sleeping Beauty. Aurora and Psyche are both extremely beautiful girls, Cupid pricks himself with an arrow and Aurora pricks herself with a needle, Aurora falls into a deep sleep and so does Psyche, both are waken up by their true love in the end. The parallels between the two are amazing.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Agamemnon

Agamemnon Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

King of Argos
Married Helen of Troy
Paris stole Helen of Troy during the Trojan War
Agamemnon wanted revenge against the Trojans
Never got Helen back at the end of the war, but gained another bride

Commentary: The main concept of this story is that you can't forced to be in love with someone you are not in love with. Paris and Helen were in love, but Helen was forced to love Agamemnon because she married him. This plot line reminds me a lot of the plot line in Titanic. Rose, one of the main characters, is forced to go through with an arranged marriage because all of her family's money is gone. As the story progresses though, she begins to fall in love with Jack, a third class passenger with no money, and needs to choose between love or money.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: The Gods of Olympus

The Gods of Olympus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Known as the twelve Gods of Olympus
Overthrew Cronus
Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon drew for who would be supreme ruler and Zeus won
Poseidon- god of the sea
Hades-god of the underworld
The other gods all posses certain traits that assist them

Commentary: The main concept of this story is accepting that each person possesses different traits and that you need more than one trait to create an interesting society. This concept can also be found in the book Divergent, in the book there are certain factions that people are divided into based on the certain traits they possess in their character. However; divergent is viewed as a threat to the society just because they possess all of the traits in each faction.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Prometheus

Prometheus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Known as the wisest of the Titans
Zeus gave Prometheus the task of creating man
Along with creating mankind, he gave them knowledge of fire and how to use fire
He tricked Zeus into letting man keep the best part of animals sacrificed to the Gods
Zeus punished Prometheus be having his liver torn at while chained to a rock

Commentary: The main concept of this story is tricking people to get what they want. This can be shown in the work A Midsummer Night's Dream. In the book, Puck, a clever trickster, plays tricks on a group of people who are walking in the forest.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Persephone

Persephone Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Daughter to Zeus and Demeter
As Persephone grew up and became more attractive, Hades couldn't resist her
Hades kidnapped Persephone one day, and took her to be his queen
Demeter was heart-broken, and she fell into a depression
Hades made a deal with Persephone and Demeter, allowing her to stay with Hades for four months each year and the rest with her mother
This developed the seasons; winter, spring, fall, and summer

Commentary: The main concept of this story is learning to accept that children don't always stay children, that they eventually have to grow up and live their own life. This concept can be attached to the book Peter Pan. Peter Pan insists that Wendy and her brothers spend the rest of their lives at Neverland, but Wendy tells Peter she needs to go home. Wendy and her brothers need to grow up, it's a part of life.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Odysseus and the Trojan Horse

Odysseus and the Trojan Horse Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

A war is going on between the Trojans and the Greeks
The city of Troy was protected by a wall
Odysseus was a part of the Greek side, and came up with an idea to build a gift for the Trojans
Odysseus constructed a Trojan Horse, inside the Trojan Horse he plans to hide his men for a surprise attack on the Trojans
Odysseus wheels the Horse inside the city and the Greeks win with a surprise attack

Commentary: This myth deals with the success that comes with playing off of other peoples weaknesses. The best example of this would have to be The Hunger Games, in the book Katniss and Peeta channel their strengths so that their strengths are other peoples weaknesses. By doing this, they can surprise and catch their opponents off guard and ultimately survive another day.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Hercules

Hercules Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Known as the strongest of the Demigods
Hera became very jealous of Hercules so she developed impossible tasks to challenge and ultimately kill him
Hercules needed to complete the 12 labors to gain his immortality
Completes all of the 12 labors with ease, and lives up to his potential

Commentary: The main concept of this myth deals with perseverance and not giving up to prove a point to people. This concept is shared in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. In that book, Atticus Finch stands up for what is right and proves a point to people that just because of the color of someone's skin is different doesn't mean that they ultimately commit the crime, that is where Hercules and Atticus share parallels.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Eurydice and Orpheus

Eurydice and Orpheus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Classic boy-girl meeting turns into a love story
Eurydice and Orpheus get married
During the night, Eurydice is bitten by a snake and dies
Depressed, Orpheus travels to the underworld to bring Eurydice back
Hades releases her but only if Orpheus walks in front of her and doesn't look back as they travel back to the living world
The exit comes, Orpheus looks back and Eurydice is gone forever
Orpheus is extremely said, and ends up dying as well

Commentary: The main concept of this story is true love. The fact that Orpheus loved Eurydice so much that he was willing to risk his own life to have her for himself. The example that best describes the myth Eurydice and Orpheus would be Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is willing to risk his life to marry his one true love, Juliet. He kills himself thinking that she is dead, and pays the ultimate sacrifice for love.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Daedelus and Icarus

Daedelus and Icarus Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Popular myth about listening to your parents
Daedelus, an inventor, angers King Minos and needs to leave the island Crete
He constructs wings out of wax for his son and him to leave
Daedelus warns Icarus not to fly too close to the sun of the wax will melt
Icarus gets ahead of himself and forgets the wings are made of wax and flies too close to the sun
Icarus plummets into the sea to his death, his father is devastated and builds a temple in Icarus' honor

Commentary: The main concept of the myth of Daedelus and Icarus deals with learning from your mistakes and listening to your parents or wiser elders. One main example of this concept can be found in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. Dumbledore is viewed as Harry's elder, and throughout the book Harry relies on Dumbledore to help him get through the times where he needs someone the most.

Part 2- Mythological Allusions: Antigone

Antigone Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Daughter of Oedipus
Not the prettiest girl of them all
Born to a single father, who rejected the throne for Creon
Very unlucky!
A daddy's girl; stood by her father despite everything they have been through
After father dies, Antigone and sister decide to return to Thebes to help her brothers
Banned the burial of her brothers; Antigone defies the law and buries her brothers
Sent to prison and kills herself

Commentary: The concept of Antigone has to deal with choosing what is right even though people are convincing you not to do it. Antigone defies the new rulers and buries her brothers, even though it is to the harm of herself. This concept of choosing to do what is right is found in The Hunger Games, when Katniss Everdeen chooses to do the right thing and save the life of Peeta and defies the Capitol rather than having to kill her best friend and lover.

Part 2-Mythological Allusions: Achilles

Achilles Mythological Allusion Source: Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Famous Greek myth regarding hidden weaknesses
Born to a mortal father and nymph mother
Quite the popular guy (bravest, handsome, and powerful warrior)
Dipped into the River Styx, which made him invincible, except for his heel
Father received an oracle prior to Achilles going to war, that he would die fighting in battle
Achilles dominated in war; ravaging and rummaging every city, without a scratch
Died due to vulnerable heel by Paris' arrow

Commentary: This myth has been used time and time again. The main concept of this myth has to do with the old saying "you're only as strong as your weakest link". Achilles is portrayed as this strong impenetrable figure whose demise is caused by a small insignificant detail. This is closely paralleled by Of Mice and Men. Lenny is portrayed as this strong muscular man, but his demise is caused by an insignificant fetish for touching and liking soft things.

Chapter 27: "A Test Case"

The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield signifies the rigid class distinctions that were laid out during this time period. This is evident in the grandiose and extravagance of the party that they are throwing; the elaborate and decadent food, the marquee that is being set up in the backyard, and the roses and expensive flowers juxtaposed against the grimy, dirty streets that Laura has to travel down to deliver the food to the widow whose husband just past away. I think the meaning of this is that it doesn't or shouldn't have to matter what class you come from to be kind and do nice things for other people, or you don't have to have "tunnel vision" and only talk to people who make up your class. Laura realizes this at the end when talking to Laurie about the visit to the widow's house by saying it was "simply marvelous". It had nothing to do with their class at all, they were just nice and kind people and Laura found that.

Mansfield throughout the story is trying to signify lightness and "feather-like" on how delicate the family is. Throughout the short story Mansfield uses very delicate and light things to represent Laura and her family. For example, on page 246, Mansfield describes actions Laura does as "away Laura flew". Not literally, but moved gracefully, lightly, and swiftly. She also describes Mrs. Sheridan's voice as "floating down the stairs." Again, lightness is being used. Mrs. Sheridan's voice did not bellow down the stairs, it simply floated. I believe that Mansfield used the lightness in her description of characters and actions to juxtapose the heaviness of a man dying right outside the garden party, and the family having this smug, unapologetic feeling towards him because they continue their garden party despite the death.

Overall, I didn't do too bad in analyzing the story. I got the significance of the story really well. The rigid class distinctions that Foster stated as well, I picked up from just the tone of voice and the way the story was heading in the beginning. However, what the story signifies I was close but I didn't hit the "nail on the head". Foster mentioned the signifying factor as "Birds and Flight" while I thought Mansfield was channeling delicacy and lightness.

The comparison between Laura and Persephone added to the appreciation, for me, of The Garden Party. The connection that was made with "olympian height" describing how they tower over lower classes was very unique and interesting. Also, comparing Laura's contained world with Persephone's world of darkness made me appreciate the story more.

Chapter 26: "Is He Serious? And Other Ironies"

Irony is a clever way of getting points across, and there are multiple was to do it. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a great example of verbal irony. Verbal irony tends to be the most presented form of irony that is used. When the speaker is using verbal irony it means the opposite of what s/he says. Tis is shown in the immediate line of Romeo and Juliet's prologue "Two households both alike in dignity...". This line is extremely ironic because throughout the play neither house displays the character of having any dignity. The Montagues only care about their family, and the Capulets only care about their family. Each house is only concerned about its house and no one else. Another example of irony in Romeo and Juliet is when Juliet is anxious to get married and asks Nurse "Go ask his name: If he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed." This statement that Juliet makes is ironic because of the fatal ending in this famous Shakespeare play. The young lovers that we have grown with throughout the play die. Juliet dies in the end after Romeo kills himself because he thinks that she is dead (drama, right?). When Juliet asks her Nurse about Romeo then makes the reference to a grave and death she is foreshadowing what is to come. All of this by using irony!

Chapter 20:"...So Does the Season"

A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And makes us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far end He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Frost in this poem uses spring in a traditional way be referring to it as the season of love. Spring is the renewal of life from the dark, cold winter. The fresh blossoms popping up all over the place, the birds and the bees in the air, and the fresh rain all indicate spring is here. Spring is new life. Frost is using spring romantically saying that the love he is in right now is spontaneous and everything he has ever wanted by saying "For this is love and nothing else is love." Like spring a strong love only comes one time and the time passes by quickly, when you know it in your heart that it is the right time, you have to seize the opportunity.

Chapter 19: "Geography Matters"

Geography in literature is much more than hills, and mountains. It deals with symbolism, theme, and plot, it also leads to crucial development of characters. The first novel that deals with geography influencing the plot would be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Geography, in this case, is set to move the plot. Having this classic novel that deals with racism and how to treat people the way you want to be treated moves the plot along. Since the novel is set in the 1930's, racism was still very prevalent in the United States. This form of geography continues to move the plot because the constant hop that someone will stand up in Tom Robinson's defense for what is right rather that based on the color of his skin keeps this book a page-turner.

Another aspect of geography that leads to the development of characters comes form The Great Gatsby. The geography in this work of literature is set in the elaborate backdrop of the 1920's. This is reflected in the grandiose of the houses that Jay and Tom both have to show their money off to gain the love of one flowery girl. Throughout the book we see the development of characters through money and the setting of time. The time of which they are in effect all of their personalities. The money throwing, heavy partying, drinking galore of the 20's leads to the change of characters in the book.

The third aspect of geography deals with characters causing mayhem. Foster says "when characters go down south they tend to run amok". This is evident in Harry Potter. Granted they don't actually travel south but they do travel to a new environment where they are not accustomed to it and cause mayhem along the way. The mayhem may not be intentional but it tends to follow them wherever they go at Hogwarts.

The fourth aspect of geography can actually be just plain geography, an example of this can be found in East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The book begins with the very detailed description of the valley, pulling you in as if you were a part of all the memories that were shared there. This draws you in immediately, setting you up for how important this valley is and how it means more than a valley but a symbol for an overall bigger picture.

Chapter 18: "If She Comes Up It's Baptism"

Baptism? Wait, we are not in church! No, absolutely not, but baptism is present in literature. It doesn't always mean going to church, but there is a renewal of life that takes place through the character in stories. A baptism scene is clearly present in the novel The Shawshank Redemption by Stephan King. The main character, Andy Dufrane, is convicted of the crime of murdering his wife and her lover, and is then sentenced to a life conviction at Shawshank Prison. While in Shawshank Prison, Andy befriends an honest man name "Red" (or should I say, nicknamed Red) who teaches Andy that hope is a good thing when it is the only thing that keeps you going. Twenty years pass, Andy is at the end of his rope when it comes to prison life and he has a plan to get out. For his past years in prison, he has been creating a tunnel to get him out of Shawshank. He finally tunnels out of Shawshank (and 500 yards of sewage) to become free. When he comes out of the tunnel, Andy Dufrane is welcomed by a refreshing rain storm. This may not look like the traditional baptism we've come to know, but it is. Andy Dufrane is greeted by a rainfall as he leaves his life at Shawshank, this is a sign of baptism. The rainfall cleanses all of his past sins; the life spent in prison, the fact that he didn't commit the crime, the tortures he had to endure inside the prison, and comes out clean on the other side. The rainfall brings him a new life, a life of freedom which makes him a free man and different after the whole experience.

Chapter 15: "Flights of Fancy"

Foster uses a fantastic example in this chapter making the connection of flight signifying escape or freedom in the Song of Soloman. The Song of Soloman has fantastic symbolism with escape and freedom, but for this entry I chose Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Bradbury starts out the novel very cleverly by using a catchy title Fahrenheit 451, this degree just so happens to be the degree temperature that paper is burned at. This lays the back drop to what the premise of this classic Bradbury dystopian novel. Fahrenheit 451 deals with a society that burns books because free thought, the purpose of why books are made, is looked down upon. In Fahrenheit 451, there is a part in the book where they reference the books flying into the fire as "pigeon-winged books". Although it is not characters taking flight like in Peter Pan, this symbolizes a major escape. Books have been known throughout as a tool to engage the mind and contribute to the "flight" of imagination. Books are often viewed as an escape for many people, to take a "vacation" from real life and to put people into a different world except their own. Bradbury uses the bird description for that reason, books allow our minds to run free and free thinking. Taking that away lets free thinking disappear, and ultimately brain washing as in Fahrenheit 451.

Chapter 14: "Yes, She's a Christ Figure Too"

Even though a work of literature and the Bible is not exactly verbatim of the Bible, the Bible and most works tend to share similar parallels. while examining many of these parallels we tend to make tight interwoven connections with main characters and Jesus Christ. Following the criteria on page 119, Foster lays out a list of features make Christ who he is. This list shares resemblance to the character Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

1. Crucified, wounds in the hands, feet, side, and head: In the book, the lion, Aslan, is "stabbed in the back". Although this is not a literal stabbing or crucifixion like in the Bible, Aslan is betrayed by Edmund for the White Witch. When Edmund goes to the White Witch, Aslan is forced to make a dark deal to save everyone's life.

2. Self-sacrificing: Aslan is the epitome of self-sacrificing. Various times in the book he puts himself in harms way to make sure Peter, Susan, Lucy, and Edmund are all safe. He sacrifices himself on the Stone Table so that Edmund lives because he knows that the children are the future of Narnia. In order to keep Narnia alive, the children have to be alive.

3. Good with children: Aslan shows how much he loves everyone, and children especially throughout the novel. Before meeting them for the first time he greets them with grace and poise. He is consistently there to pick up the kids when they fall.

4. Humble modes of transportation: He walks everywhere (but I do believe it has something to do with the fact he is a lion).

5. Known to have spent time alone in the wilderness: Aslan lives in Narnia, in the secluded forest. However, he is surrounded by people he loves and adores still despite living alone in such a lonely forest.

6. Believed to have confrontation with the devil: In order to save Edmund from the White Witch and all that she entails, Aslan steps in and makes a deal sacrificing himself for Edmund.

7. Buried but arose on the third day: Aslan was killed and sacrificed on the Stone Table. This came as a blow to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy prior to the major battle. Right before the battle, Aslan rises and fights beside the children he loves.

8. Very forgiving: Aslan is a kind and forgiving lion. Throughout the book he realizes that these are only children and can't be expected to lead Narnia alone. They are kids and kids still need guidance from figures they trust.

Chapter 12: "Is That a Symbol?"

Along with the biblical allusions in Araby, there is symbolism regarding Mangan's sister behind the fence. Throughout the whole story of Araby, the young boy is obsessed with Mangan's sister. However; Mangan's sister is older than the young main character of this story. The first thing that needs to happen is to break down what the purpose of a fence is. Odd right? It will help, trust me. A fence is a boundary; it is meant to keep certain things out and certain things in. In this case it is meant to keep out our young boy, it is a symbol that Mangan's sister can never be reached because she will always be unattainable. The sister does not share the same feelings that the young boy does. If someone doesn't feel the same way as you do, it is usually a hopeless cause. The fence can also be a symbol of a wall, the young boy spends countless hours trying to break down that wall just to get to Mangan's sister. While doing this, he completely forgets to participate in actual life just to keep focusing on her. As in usual love, he doesn't realize how much time he spent on a cause that nothing will come from until the end. More often than not that is too late.

Chapter 11: "...More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence"

Foster states "violence is one of the most personal and even intimate acts between human beings, but it can also be cultural and societal in its implications." Along with cultural and societal forms of violence, violence is present in literature. The two forms of violence that are present in literature are: specific injury that authors cause characters to visit on one another or on themselves, and the narrative violence that causes characters harm in general. An example of the specific injury that authors cause characters to visit on another or themselves can be drawn from the book A Clockwork Orange. Alex, the main character, throughout the novel participates in numerous acts of violence on other people purely for fun. The acts consist of beating up two elderly people, stealing, rape, and other acts of beating people are done only for acts of violence and not narrative violence.

The second form of violence or authorian violence is from the short story To Build a Fire by Jack London. Jack London kills the main character in the end, but we are left to infer how he dies in the end due to the icy temperatures and the very real possibility of hypothermia is second nature in a climate like that. No one kills him off, no bullets fly, no beating, just the author choosing to kill him. London kills his main character for intrigue and plot advancement, choosing to leave the reader wondering what happened. The effects from the two different kinds of violence are substantial. Authors involve characters to inflict pain on other characters just for violence, while the second takes much more thought. It takes critical thinking on the author's part to find a way for each character to leave us hanging, and the gut-wrenching loss the reader feels when they leave.

Chapter 9: "It's Greek to Me"

Waiting For Icarus by Muriel Rukeyser

He said he would be back and we'd drink wine together
He said that everything would be better than before
He said we were on the edge of a new relation
He said he would never again cringe before his father
He said that he was going to invent full time
He said he loved me that going into it
He said he was going into the world and the sky
He said all the buckles were very firm
He said the was was the best was
He said wait for me here on the beach
He said just don't cry

I remember the gulls and the waves
I remember the islands going dark on the sea
I remember the girls laughing
I remember they said he only wanted to get away from me
I remember mother saying: Inventors are like poets, a trashy lot
I remember she told me those who try out inventions are worse
I remember she added: Women who love such are the worst of all

I have been waiting all day, or perhaps longer
I would have like to try those wings myself
It would have been better than this

The impact of the myth on the poem's theme is the grief that is followed after a great tragedy. We don't know if the man is actually Icarus or just a mean whose inventions and different ways of doing things resembles Icarus. For this analysis, I am putting it in the perspective of Icarus' girlfriend or woman he fancies. She is apprehensive and nervous about his flight because she states in the poem "He said the wax was the best wax", "He said wait for me here on the beach". Along with apprehensiveness, she faces being worried after Icarus fails to return. She hits a low point and even wants to put herself in the position of Icarus, "I would have liked to try those wings on myself." The myth teaches you to obey your elders and this poem shows how each death affects the people we love most with the most pain.

Chapter 8: "Hanseldee and Greteldum"

Fairy-tales are a form of literature we hold near and dear to our hearts. They have been in the deepest caverns of our brain since we were little tikes. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe share parallels with the popular fairy-tale Peter Pan. and Alice in Wonderland. Lucy, Peter, Susan, and Edmund in the book Chronicles of Narnia cross a threshold by traveling through a wardrobe to get to the mythical area of Narnia is similar to that of what takes place in Alice in Wonderland. Alice follows the white rabbit hole and crosses the threshold form reality into what is wonderland. The Chronicles of Narnia and Peter Pan share the same parallels, Wendy and her two brothers are whisked away to another land where innocence is cherished and the term "growing up" is unheard of. In Narnia, the siblings don't age until they get back through the threshold. All of these parallels deepen the appreciation of fairy-tales and the value of being a child and of innocence that comes along with it. With every fairy-tale it teaches you to live every day full and enjoy being young. Youth comes with imagination and creativity and fairy-tales bring those two assets to the table all the time. We enjoy being young and having our imagination run free.

Chapter 7: "Or the Bible"

Araby, when it comes down to it, is actually just a story of love, lust, and obsession (however you look at it), but within this story there are multiple biblical allusions that can be drawn from it. Right from the beginning, the hatred that James Joyce has toward the Catholic Church. Joyce backs this up by setting the background on a silent and quiet street until the recklessness of the boys from the local Catholic school are allowed to be unleashed and roam free. Another biblical that can be made is when Joyce puts an apple tree in the backyard. When I read this, I immediately saw this as symbolism. The symbolism of Adam, Eve, and the serpent. Adam and Eve sinned when they ate the forbidden fruit. In Araby, this can be taken as a coming of age moment, the leaving behind of the childhood qualities to a more mature stage of your life. You can't stay a child forever, the way to actually mature is to take care of yourself and have self reliance. That is what comes with adulthood and I think Araby lays that out very apparently. Another biblical allusion that is laid out in Araby has to deal with the house of the main character. We learn that the main character's house (the boy) used to be occupied by a priest, and in the lines following you can tell the resentment that he has towards the church. In Araby, there is the example of "two great jars" that are at the bazaar. These jars are an allusion to Genesis when God chases Eve and Adam away from Eden and then God puts Cherubim to make a barrier so they can't get back in.

Chapter 5: "Now Where Have I Seen Her Before?"

Ever notice how books seem to be connected to other books in some way? Congratulations! You have unlocked one of the oldest tricks authors use while writing a work of literature. This is known as intertextuality, intertextuality is the ongoing interaction between poems and stories. Intertextuality also can mean the relationships that are shared with novels and real life occurrences as well.

One example of the form of intertextuality that novels and real life share can be found in the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. Parallels between Animal Farm and Communism can be drawn immediately. The animals are tired of being ruled by the oppressive Mr. Jones and from that moment on begin to develop their own set of rules that are very similar to communist ideals. For example, one of the Seven Commandments, the list of set rules in Animal Farm that every animal must obey, is "all animals are equal." This can be tied to one, if not the, crucial ideal of a communist society. In a communist society the idea "everyone is equal" is president.

An example of intertextuality between novels is quite common, one that stands out to me is William Golding's Lord of the Flies and the parallels from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. In the Lord of the Flies the common ideas of adventure and youthfulness associated with exploration is similar to that of Treasure Island. While differences are shown when it comes to the struggles the main characters have to face in Lord of the Flies compared to Treasure Island the main idea of exploring something that is foreign and unknown is the same.

The last example I can draw with two novels sharing intertextuality is between The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Catcher in the Rye. A common element in both deals with coming of age, both of the main characters go through substantial changes on the path of finding themselves. Holden goes on a trip by himself through New Your and grows every step of the way. Charlie, in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, goes through the loss of his friend and not felling like he is fitting in. As the novel progresses, Charlie grows like Holden and both become closer to finding himself.