Okay, folks, let's talk about Chapter 24 from How to Read Literature Like a Professor. It's all about... get ready for it... "Geography Matters."
My unpopular opinion? Sometimes, geography doesn't matter all that much.
Really? Geography?
I know, I know. The book says setting is super important. Like, the Sahara Desert means something different than a cozy cottage in England. Obviously.
But let's be real. Sometimes, a setting is just... a setting. A place for the plot to happen.
Do we always need to dig deeper and find symbolic meaning in the location of the gas station robbery? Probably not.
The Author's Intent… Maybe?
The professor-reading types will argue that the author chose that gas station specifically to represent societal decay or the soul-crushing monotony of modern life. Maybe.
Or maybe the author just needed a gas station for the getaway scene. A writer also needs to pay their rent!
Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. And sometimes, a gas station is just a gas station, even though Foster would argue that it is not!
Mountains vs. Valleys: Deep Thoughts
The chapter talks about how mountains are, like, "spiritual" and valleys are "depressing." It gets pretty heavy.
Look, I love a good mountain hike as much as the next person. But sometimes I'm just trying to get to the top for the view, not to have a religious experience.
And valleys? They’re often where the best breweries are located. Just saying.
The Real Meaning? Maybe Not
The book hints that the setting can foreshadow events or reveal character. Okay, that's fair.
But consider this: maybe the character is just a grumpy dude who happens to be standing in a valley. Perhaps he would be a grumpy dude on a mountain, too.
We need to be careful about attributing everything to symbolic geography.
Rain, Rain, Go Away (Or Does It?)
Ah yes, the classic "rain = cleansing" interpretation. A literary staple.
But have you ever been stuck in a downpour on vacation? It's not exactly a spiritual awakening. It's just wet and annoying.
Sometimes, rain is just rain. It’s inconvenient, and it ruins your hair.
Beware of Over-Analysis
My point is this: let's not overthink it. Let's not force meaning where it doesn't exist. Let's allow the setting to be, well, the setting.
Read the story. Enjoy the characters. If the geography enhances the story, great! If not, that's okay too.
How to Read Literature Like a Professor is a great book. But sometimes, a little common sense goes a long way.
So, Should We Ignore Geography Entirely?
No, of course not! Context matters. Atmosphere is real.
But let's not turn every babbling brook into a metaphor for the protagonist's journey through grief.
Let's save that kind of intense analysis for when we are getting paid to do it.
My Challenge To You
The next time you're reading, try to enjoy the story first. Let the geography wash over you.
If a deeper meaning presents itself, awesome. If not, don't sweat it.
Maybe, just maybe, the author just wanted to write a good story set in a cool place. And that's perfectly okay by me.
Read for pleasure. Read for insight. But most importantly, read with a sense of humor. Even Thomas C. Foster, would probably agree to that.
