In Thomas C. Foster’s How To Read Literature Like A Professor, he opens up Chapter 4 with this statement: “I could never see the picture in a connect-the-dot drawing until I’d put in virtually every line. Other kids could look at a page full of dots and say “Oh, that’s an elephant,” “That’s a locomotive.” Me, I saw dots. I think it’s partly predisposition— some people handle two-dimensional visualization better than others— but largely a matter of practice: the more connect-the-dot drawings you do, the more likely you are to recognize the signs early on.” Within this passage, Foster heavily but briefly discusses the understanding of literature. Being a literate person to Foster, as expressed above in the quoted passage is connecting themes to the book being read, or in his case, the dots being connected. A literate person is someone who not only creates their own interpretation of something, but also listens to another person’s interpretation to see every side. Our world is full of ideas, why not build upon them?
One becomes literate by lots of practice, just as Foster connected dots as a child, he was mentally connecting dots to create a bigger image. We create the bigger image daily by simple tasks such as watching the news, or even participating in daily conversation!
Literacy honestly is not reading and writing, it is so much deeper than that. I think about the idea of being illiterate quite often. One couldn’t order food, shop for clothing, have a job, etc. without basic skills that come with being literate. Pondering these things fuels my fire for learning on a daily basis. We are unintentionally building an empire of knowledge daily!
I agree with you, Madeline. Literacy is a facet of identity and personal worth. An example of this would be China in the 1800s, where women were kept inferior to men by being excluded from education. This meant they could not read or write which makes them more easily subdued. A lack of literacy does not only mean the inability to read and write, it prevents a complex train of thought and the ability to communicate with others not only on an intellectual basis but also on a simplistic level. Literacy is similar to connecting the dots in that it connects humans linguistically, intellectually, and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteMadeline,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of your post was your discussion of how literacy is not limited to merely creating our own interpretations of texts but also includes the ability to understand the differing perspectives of others. Gaining this type of perspective shows that as readers we can open up our minds to possibilities that we ourselves did not interpret. Foster makes it clear: his views on the symbolism of specific pieces of literature are exactly that—his views. He recognizes the possibility (or reality) that certain actions, events, and characters may symbolize different ideas than what he thought. The best part about this realization is that this awareness does not invalidate other opinions of a text. As much as we hunger for there to be one definite answer, most often there isn't just one. There are many of which all are correct in their own way.
Madeline - I loved the "connect the dot" analogy. Discovering different "dots" during literary discussion is my favorite part of teaching literature.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Mrs. Leonhart said about loving your connect the dot analogy. I too believe that literacy is not a set concept that never changes. Literacy evolves and connects ideas and pools of knowledge like a spider web. Literacy is similar to intertextuality in that instead of connecting content, it connects symbolism and concepts.
ReplyDeleteI also like the angle Morgan took on literacy. I actually discussed a similar topic in one of my blog posts. Instead of Ancient China, I was thinking more along the lines of slavery. Even though I did not name the topic of slavery directly, I discussed subdued populations that are kept under control by being kept illiterate. If individuals are not even able to communicate on a level as simple as reading and writing, they cannot even begin to orchestrate clandestine coups and overthrows. Literacy is strength.
I agree with what Mrs. Leonhart said about loving your connect the dot analogy. I too believe that literacy is not a set concept that never changes. Literacy evolves and connects ideas and pools of knowledge like a spider web. Literacy is similar to intertextuality in that instead of connecting content, it connects symbolism and concepts.
ReplyDeleteI also like the angle Morgan took on literacy. I actually discussed a similar topic in one of my blog posts. Instead of Ancient China, I was thinking more along the lines of slavery. Even though I did not name the topic of slavery directly, I discussed subdued populations that are kept under control by being kept illiterate. If individuals are not even able to communicate on a level as simple as reading and writing, they cannot even begin to orchestrate clandestine coups and overthrows. Literacy is strength.
Madeline, I entirely agree with your thoughts and ideas about the threshold of literacy. Literacy does require that one functionally reads and writes, but what most people fail to understand regarding others’ forms of literacy is that although these people may not be able to read or write, they still have to think, understand words, and function in their everyday life with activities, and while it is challenging, these people understand what is happening around with, regardless of their literacy functionality. Along with Stone and Mrs. Leonhart, I had never thought about, but enjoy your connecting the dots analogy, it truly revolves around the “One Story” topic because connecting the dots in literacy and literature are draw many parallels.
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