Prompt #1

        One of the largest lessons and mindsets I came out with after reading this book was that the act of reading a book is only the tip of the iceberg. When you envision enjoying a book, you hope to simply gain happiness, and maybe even insight from its message. However, a large lesson Foster taught me was that gazing upon and literally reading the words typed is different than absorbing the actual context that requires further and deeper thinking. Literacy can be interpreted as the basic knowledge of comprehending words and how they are connecting to convey a literal message. However, to me, the ability to read goes beyond seeing a 'Wet Paint' sign and knowing not to touch. Literacy is the skill that requires a reader to truly understand the book and the reasoning the author chose to ever put the pen to paper. It means that one can recognize all of the elements in a work and be able to wonder freely about its meaning and even make assertions about its purpose to the book as a whole.

        To know why the author does what he or she does is a key aspect and mysterious quest for each reader. Ironically, Foster talks about the real reason for any quest: self-knowledge. Any time you read a book, it is your quest to divulge into the meaning and purpose. Even if the reader does not know it, their stated purpose for the quest is to completely understand the book and its message to the fullest extent they can manage. One aspect of literacy, for example, is being able to identify patterns and draw connections between an old, staple work and perhaps the modern text currently being examined. As Foster says, there is no such thing as a truly original work of literature- everything borrows and contains elements from other sources. By recognizing one work's footprint in another's book, a reader can make subconscious connections, further dissecting the book they are reading. Pattern-recognizing is a key aspect to being literate.

        A literate person can read a text for what it is, literally and metaphorically. They know that a book contains a plethora of hidden meanings that are impatiently waiting to be discovered. Finally, they think. This is the most important aspect of literacy. Thinking can lead a book from good to impeccable. It can transform a simple piece into a complex work of art, only discoverable to those who yearn for a deeper meaning and know what it requires to find it.