How to Read Literature Like a Professor: Chapters 23 & 24

Chapter 23: It’s Never Just Heart Disease… What was it about? When an author mentions heart disease, it’s never about heart disease.

Deeper thoughts.  Heart disease is sad emotions  Loneliness or pain  Heart represents all emotion  Heart has significance

Examples?  The Man of Adamant  By: Nathaniel Hawthorne  Man is upset with society  Moves into cave  Turns into stone

Chapter 24:…..And Rarely Just Illness What was it about?  When writing, you can not just use any illness off the top of your head.

What does that mean?  Illness should effect the character’s appearance.  Strong symbol -Tuberculosis: Translucent skin, darkened eye sockets, coughing up blood

Key Points  Not all diseases are created equal  It should be picturesque  Mysterious in origin - Author John Keat’s Tuberculosis  Strong metaphorical possibilities

Examples?  James Joyce’s “The Sisters”  Priest has stroke  Left paralyzed  There is “No Hope” for the priest  Paralysis shows suffering with no action.  Boy is effected

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