Journal Entries - Ap English; How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Foster
Journal Entries; AP Eng
Ch: 1
In the first chapter of his book, Foster lays out the conventions for a quest, stating that in most literature, modern and classic, "every trip is a quest." the novel "the Help" by Kathryn Stockett is not perhaps seen by the unaware reader to be a quest, however as it details a journey, it can in actuality be broken down into the conventions Foster cleverly recognized: every journey or trip a story embarks upon follows a pattern, and that pattern is a quest. The first component of a quest is the hero, the character – often central to the story – who makes a difference for the other characters, and often makes a great change in themselves through the experience of the quest. Skeeter is a principle character in" the Help", and she is not content with her present life, living at home with her mother trying to marry her to a "good southern gentleman", as has been customary in her family. This is the second convention, as well as the third: a destination, and an initial motivation. Skeeter wants to be a writer, and she is presented with an opportunity in journalism which must involve a writing project that is a breakthrough, never – been – done – before, adventurous journey: interviewing black maids in the deep South during the civil rights movement. The motivation is her drive to be a writer, the destination is publishing this book, and the novel tells the story of the journey to her success. The fourth component is challenges along the way, and Skeeter is constantly trialed and tested, by her family, relationships, even the law and the risk involved with her project – danger is also often a factor of true quests. And finally, the fifth aspect that seals "the Help" as a quest is Skeeter, the protagonist, acquires "self-knowledge," the term used by Foster to describe the epiphany–like realization made by the hero after and through the success of the quest: skeeter makes a huge change for herself by rejecting her mother's
Ch: 1
In the first chapter of his book, Foster lays out the conventions for a quest, stating that in most literature, modern and classic, "every trip is a quest." the novel "the Help" by Kathryn Stockett is not perhaps seen by the unaware reader to be a quest, however as it details a journey, it can in actuality be broken down into the conventions Foster cleverly recognized: every journey or trip a story embarks upon follows a pattern, and that pattern is a quest. The first component of a quest is the hero, the character – often central to the story – who makes a difference for the other characters, and often makes a great change in themselves through the experience of the quest. Skeeter is a principle character in" the Help", and she is not content with her present life, living at home with her mother trying to marry her to a "good southern gentleman", as has been customary in her family. This is the second convention, as well as the third: a destination, and an initial motivation. Skeeter wants to be a writer, and she is presented with an opportunity in journalism which must involve a writing project that is a breakthrough, never – been – done – before, adventurous journey: interviewing black maids in the deep South during the civil rights movement. The motivation is her drive to be a writer, the destination is publishing this book, and the novel tells the story of the journey to her success. The fourth component is challenges along the way, and Skeeter is constantly trialed and tested, by her family, relationships, even the law and the risk involved with her project – danger is also often a factor of true quests. And finally, the fifth aspect that seals "the Help" as a quest is Skeeter, the protagonist, acquires "self-knowledge," the term used by Foster to describe the epiphany–like realization made by the hero after and through the success of the quest: skeeter makes a huge change for herself by rejecting her mother's