In response to our discussion of "The Story of an Hour," write a two paragraph reflective response addressing the following:
Paragraph 1: Since the start of this class, what have you learned/realized about how to read and analyze literature?
Paragraph 2: Apply your realization to "The Story of an Hour" by selecting one of your annotations, or ah-ha moments, analyzing it, and revealing another layer of meaning in the text.
In the comments, share what you have learned/realized since the start of this course.
Your response should be typed in MLA format, about a page in length. It is due on Tuesday, August 26.
I have learned that as humans, we derive our morals and ideas of justice from many different historical works and pieces of literature as well as our cultures.
ReplyDeleteSince starting this course I have realized that, at first glance, many written things seem to have no purpose but actually carry many weights and ideas deliberately placed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI learned that author's intent is more than just "to entertain." It's contingent on the author's upbringing, contemporary culture, and politics. To describe an author's intent you have to first know the author.
ReplyDeleteI realized that people often overthink simplistic things in story. I will admit that the author often has complex and hidden ideas but people tend to see more than whats there.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that no matter what we think the author may or may not have meant, we will never know (Besides them saying it). Everything is subjective and up to interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that most literature is dependent upon reader understanding, and how the work is perceived. As long as the reader is getting something out of the work, whether it is intended or not, is the purpose of reading and interpreting literature.
ReplyDeleteI learned that even though some classic literature is fictional, it has a way deeper meaning underneath that express morals, ideas, and/or human nature.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that there are many different ways that works of literature can be perceived by the reader.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone is already saying, I have learned that everyone is going to have a different understanding and interpretation of a text. I have also learned that while everyone has varying views on literature, there is always something to be taken from the reading.
ReplyDeleteJen Goebs here and I have learn how to look deeper into liturature. In addition to the outward appears of things there is always a deeper meaning.
ReplyDeleteI was able to learn that novels are filled with symbolism, yet it's up to the reader whether they are able to uncover or perceive the hidden clues that lead to the symbolism within the text.
ReplyDeleteI have learned from the start of the class, that when analyzing literature you have to find the deeper meaning. I have learn that analyzing literature is a in depth break down of each sentence.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that books and novels are filled with different meanings depending on the reader that interprets them. There may be a deep meaning of why something is the way it is, but the author may have just been saying, "the curtain is blue" as a simple detail to describe what the curtains looked like. Many readers overthink literature too much sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that reading literature can be either simple or complex. You can read the basics, or you can analyze the story and learn more as a result.
ReplyDeleteSince the start of this class I have learned that there may be an alternate way to interpret even one aspect of a picture or piece of literature than the author or illustrator originally intended. The author more than likely has a purpose behind their piece of work and attempts to get the reader to feel or think the same way they do by the style of their writing or how they depict people or things in their picture.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to say that I have learned that all texts have a deeper meaning that can help readers understand their life and the world better.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that two people may take something from a story and that their view of the story may be completely different. Neither is necessarily wrong because our personal experiences help to shape how we understand things.
ReplyDeleteI realized that you can say whatever you please and not be wrong. As long as what you say can be related and backed up effectively by said text, you're always right.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that taking notes and annotating while reading can drastically improve a reader's comprehension of text.
ReplyDeleteI found it was interesting to see the ways authors use ambiguity to change their message depending on those who read it. As we learned in class it varies greatly from reader to reader what the overall message is. As well small details will vary on their symbolism as we read.
ReplyDeleteIt does change my view that I no longer know if I'm getting the right message. I think it is important the authors understand when you let me figure out the meaning you lose a tight focus.
I've learned that symbolism and the events that happen around the time the literature was written, heavily impact the intentions of the author and shape the way the readers will interpret text.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that you need to take time out of reading the story and analyze the minor details to be able to truly understand the authors message.
ReplyDeleteAuthorial intent is not at all important. Well, I suppose you could say it does mean something, but the power of interpretation resides within the reader. As long as there are sufficient warrants backing your claim, then you can interpret and understand a text in your own way. The sufficient warrant part ensures that you stay within the realm of reason-ability
ReplyDeleteI have learned that you must take everything into account in order to fully understand the authors message. Including the time period,their personal life ect.
ReplyDeleteSince the start of this class I have learned that not every moment in a story has an intended meaning. Sometimes the author writes something, and the reader takes it as something else. This does not make it wrong, because every reader has a different perception of things.
ReplyDeleteI've learned the importance of studying literature and that more often than naught, authors write with a bigger picture than simply just what meets the eye. We as readers need to look at a bigger picture in order to truly understand the author and the story they are trying to convey.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that a selection of text can be related back to history in the form of actual pre-existing events or that the ideals of society at that point in time can affect the antagonists mentality throughout a story. Also, that symbolism can go much deeper than that the color blue is meant to represent sadness. It can take abstract thoughts or feelings and make them so that they are tangible images or elements of a story.
ReplyDeleteSince beginning this course, I have learned that gaining a deeper understanding of a piece of literature involves understanding the author, the time in which the author lived, and literary elements used.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that there are two ways of looking at text. You can analyze it and try to get the bigger picture, or you can just get the basics. I think that to study literature, you have to look into the pieces, and figure out the underlying meaning.
ReplyDelete