By saying that all "writing and telling belong to one big story," Foster means that as time goes by, it is more and more evident that all work is a derivative of earlier works in some way, intentional or not. I think this helps enrichen our experience as readers because we receive some gratitude, at least I do, when we recognize similarities between earlier works and what we read in the present. I like to think that as readers, overtime we are building our own internal library of sorts after reading and analyzing so much literature and begin to recognize more and draw it back to previous works we've read or know of. Recognizing each parallel from a new work to an older one is like finding an easter egg in a vast field of text. If you are a fan of movies and happen to binge watch explanation videos or "things you missed in [movie title]" on YouTube, you may be familiar with the popular easter egg reference. Many films have hidden images or meanings in the background, or easter eggs, that you probably would not notice the first time watching, unless you were keeping an eye out for them and intentionally trying to analyze the film in search of any foreshadowing.
The fact that "There is nothing new under the sun," is something I learned the hard way and continue to learn everyday. I used to be into photography and I struggled to take a picture of anything completely original and unique and found that there is nothing I have means of photographing that has not already been taken by someone else. I might think that I took the most beautiful picture of the sunset or the bud and although no sunset or flower is ever exactly the same, there are already millions of other pictures so similar to it already in existence.
I really appreciated your connection to Easter eggs. It’s a unique take into the allusions a story has but doesn’t come right out and say it. I have enjoyed seeing some of the Disney videos that explain Easter eggs and how it’s all connected back together. There is even theories that the Disney movies are all from the same story. Foster asserting that all stories come from another is fair and logical and easily supported. Ideas are recycled or refined. There’s nothing original. I also liked that you said we kind of praise ourselves for being able to make connections. I can relate to that in the books that I read.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you’re coming from. I also have had the same frustrations whenever it comes to photographing something I know so many other people already have. This was a perfect example as to what the author was trying to explain. It really is evident that most forms of books or artwork are connected to each other. I think it’s interesting to think about, but I do completely understand how it can quickly become frustrating whenever you are wanting to do something original. However, I’m not sure if there is a way of stopping this considering the huge amount of people in the world. I think the only thing you can really do is try your hardest and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteThis is a professional and solid view point to observe the text from because it harkens to a number of other processes that Foster discussed within the confines of the book. I found it interesting and almost relatable that you spoke of an internal library that we all possess in some way or another which helps us to further expand our literary endeavors. This built up knowledge of various texts provides a certain kind of intertextuallity within the minds of readers that’s will help them feel more confident in their reading of current and future texts.
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