Writing About Literature

 "Literature helps us grow, both personally and intellectually. It opens doors for us. It stretches our minds. It develops our imagination, increases our understanding, and enlarges our power of sympathy. It helps us see beauty in the world around us......It makes us human."
                                                                                  ~Edgar V. Roberts, Writing About Literature, pg.2
____________________________________________________

  This partial paragraph, through the words and ideas the author used, points to all people who are old enough and civilized enough to read. It does open doors for us, doors that lead to survival. The kind of doors I'm talking about are literal doors that might open into a library, bookstore, school building, office or other work building, your Grandma's attic, and so much more. These places and others that hold literature make us who we are, an educated, well-informed, well-spoken generation.  And as time moves on and new generations are born,  more opportunities to read and write open. More books are being written, and more stories told.

'How to Read Literature Like a Professor'

" Like Carter, Garcia Marquez plays on our notions of wings and flight to explore the situation's ironic possibilities. In fact, he even goes further in some ways. His winged character is literally caged; moreover, he's dirty and unkempt and bug-ridden, not at all what we expect from potential angels. On one level, the story asks us if we would recognize the Second Coming if it occurred, and perhaps it reminds us that the Messiah was not generally acknowledged when he did come. The angel doesn't look like an angel, just as the King didn't look like a king, certainly not like the sort of military ruler the Hebrews had expected. Does the old man choose not to fly? Has he been reduced in power and appearance purposely? The story never says, and in its silence it poses many questions. "
                                                                                                                                 

  This chapter about the mystic wonders of flight got me to thinking more than any other chapter has so far. My comment for the whole chapter would be, " If humans could fly, whether we had wings or invisible super-powers, I'll bet we'd regret it for one reason or another." Later on in this chapter Foster says that flight is freedom, but for the character in the book, "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings", the author, Garcia Marquez, wrote that flight made his character to be "literally caged" on planet earth. This character, the old man mentioned in the title,  probably was choosing not to fly because of the dangers that being the only human-like thing on the whole planet that could fly would have posed for him. I like how Foster contrasts this character with Christ when he came to Earth as a baby. Not a whole lot of people recognized him as even a remotely possible candidate for King, as perfect as he was, until he was approx. 12 years old. That was when the first teaching of Jesus' ministry was recorded. Over all, I like the possible hidden meaning that Foster reveals in Marquez's book. I think that this paragraph in particular will help me to find hidden meaning in literature, as well. 

'How to Read Literature Like a Professor'

 " What about the dope they smoke afterwards?

    Passing a joint doesn't quite resemble the wafer and the chalice, does it? But thinking symbolically, where's the difference, really? Please note, I am not suggesting that illicit drugs are required to break down social barriers. On the other hand, here is a substance they can take into their bodies in a shared, almost ritualistic experience. Once again, the act says, 'I'm with you, I share this moment with you, I feel a bond of community with you.' It may be a moment of even greater trust. In any case, the alcohol at supper and the marijuana after combine to relax the narrator so he can receive the full force of his insight, so he can share in the drawing of a cathedral (which, incidentally, is a place of communion)."

  ~ Thomas C. Foster, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, page 11 

__________________________________________________________________________________

  

My summary of this whole paragraph would be that, so far, it seems to be the most far-fetched paragraph in the book. Although he did make it clear that illicit drugs are NOT required to break down social barriers, he did imply that illicit drugs are a good way to do that. I am against this, for the most part because drugs are hard on your body and illegal drugs are illegal for good reasons, but also because there are MUCH better ways to break the ice with someone you want to know better, or come closer to. Personally, drugs are only good for when you want to ruin your life, spend it in jail, or ruin someone else's life. So how DO you come closely acquainted with fellow man? There are many different ways aimed for different age groups. Young girls have friendship bracelets, or buy the same shoes at the same place,and the same time. Boys ride bikes or four-wheelers together, or wear the same shirts to school. Older women bond through a shared cup of coffee, or a special trip. Men enjoy eating together, or watching live college football (or both at the same time) 

But drinking and smoking illegal drugs, seriously? That's NOT what I would refer to as communion.