how to read literature like a professor

Weather

Signals something beyond just rain or snow; it carries deeper meanings in literature.

Water in Literature

Represents reclamation and transformation, as seen in examples like floods and Noah's Ark.

Functions of Rain

Acts as a plot device, creates atmosphere, symbolizes cleansing, and can be restorative.

Symbolism of Rain

Represents new life, restoration, illness, death, and is connected to spring.

Symbolism of Spring

Signifies renewal, hope, and new awakenings.

Symbolism of Rainbows

Represents divine promise and peace between heaven and earth.

Symbolism of Fog

Suggests confusion and misery, indicating a lack of clarity.

Symbolism of Snow

Can symbolize cleanliness, severity, warmth, and playfulness, among other meanings.

Allegory

A narrative that conveys a hidden meaning, often moral, by reducing symbols to one interpretation.

Symbols

Have a range of meanings and interpretations influenced by various factors like education and social involvement.

Symbolism of White Flags

Represents surrender, peace, and a non-threatening approach.

Symbolism of Caves

Suggests secrecy, shelter, and confrontation with fears.

Symbolism of Rivers

Represents escape, danger, safety, division, and connection.

Symbolism of Mowing

Signifies cleansing and labor, existing within nature.

Flights of Fancy

Represents various symbolic meanings, often associated with freedom and escape.

Archetypes

Typical examples or models of something, often seen in literature.

Symbolism of Flight

Represents freedom, escape, and the significance of interrupted flight.

Irony

Relies on established patterns and inversions to convey deeper meanings.

Geography

The study of physical features and human activity, influencing literary elements like theme and character development.

Seasonal Implications

Reflects time, mood, and character development through the cyclical nature of seasons.

Symbolism of Seasons

Each season represents different life stages and emotional states, such as spring for youth and winter for old age.

Marked for Greatness

Physical imperfections in characters often symbolize deeper moral or personal qualities.

Baptism

Symbolizes death and rebirth through water, representing transformation and new identity.

Symbolism of Water Rescues

Represents good fortune, luck, and rebirth, often linked to baptism themes.