Jazz by Toni Morrison

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Any literature masterpiece is composed of numerous layers and themes, which supplement each other and give it new tones and accents. One can read a book looking for some evident events and the plot lying on the surface. However, this approach will not ensure a profound understanding of the authors ideas. In his guide on the enhanced comprehension of literature, Foster offers some necessary details to search for in any artwork. He mentions the most significant aspects, the identification of which differentiates professional reading from the ordinary one. For illustration, it is reasonable to analyze the novel Jazz by Toni Morrison, a true masterpiece of modern American literature. The memories revived by the author, the symbols applied by her, and the patterns forming the entire book structure are valuable for a full and comprehensive understanding of the novel.

Main body

According to Foster, the first aspect to look for in a literature work is a resemblance of the already known facts and stories. As he notes, any professor is cursed with memory and starts looking for correspondences and corollaries while reading a book (Foster 3). As for Jazz, the romantic plot of the book itself revives many memories and brings deep associations. It is a story of an older man loving a young and beautiful girl with all the hardships and tragedies such affection can bring. That immediately reminds one of such classical masterpieces as Jane Eyre, Gone with the Wind, and others. Besides, it also invokes a story of an orphanage and the need to find ways to survive. Finally, the author dedicates the book to the memory of a young girl in a photograph made by James Van Der Zee. Mentioning her being so young, so foolish, so wrapped up and entangled in the sacrifice that tragically romantic love demanded, she already brings a particular emotional overview of the further story (Morrison xv). Therefore, memories add a significant connotation to the novels plot and its understanding.

The next element largely represented in Jazz is symbolism, which broadens the story and makes it relevant to the entire society. As Foster mentions, everything is a symbol of something, which is completely accurate for the given novel (4). A perfect example of symbolism is that most of the main heroes do not have their mothers. This fact is more than merely a reflection of their hard childhood. A mother is a symbol of tenderness and comfort for anyone, and her absence reminds of the lack of home and security for the entire African American population. Thus, this example shows the deep symbolism embedded in the novel and supporting its understanding.

Finally, patterns, which are also noted by Foster as an aspect that deserves specific attention, are as well largely present in Jazz. As he notes, patterns are a perfect way to distance oneself from the story and get a broader picture of the authors concepts (Foster 4). Basing the entire novel on a specific repetition, Morrison provides the view of the events from various sides. Such a pattern is a characteristic of the African American culture, and especially of its music. Applying it, she makes the book sound, in general, similar to a jazz piece reflecting its rhythm. Invoking the recollections of slavery and forced movement, daily life, and its tragedies, this pattern enriches the plot allowing to go deeply into the characters and their traits.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is worth noting that the three aspects named by Foster play a significant role in Jazz. The memories revived by the plot apply to the readers life and literature experience, thereby enriching the given story. The symbolism and the patterns used assist in building a more comprehensive picture tying the characters lives and the occurring events to nations and generations destiny. Therefore, identifying these tools in the book being reviewed substantially assists in the understanding of the numerous themes raised by Morrison.

Works Cited

Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor Revised: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines. Harper Collins, 2014.

Morrison, Toni. Jazz. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007.

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Jazz by Toni Morrison

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