In Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor, he discusses the concept of intertextuality. The book defines it as “the ongoing interaction between poems or stories.” Foster strongly endorses the topic with solid evidence. Personally, I think that intertextuality does exist. I think that there is no such thing as an entirely original idea. Although some thoughts start as unique, but once they are elaborated, they lose their originality. The one thing that I do not understand is if no idea is original, how did the standard ideas come to be. Basically, if there is no unique thought, than how do we have the thoughts upon all others are based on? Were the first ideas original?

Anyway, let us discuss works I consider essential to my own cultural literacy. First, is Shakespeare. In my opinion, it does not matter which piece of his, I think that they all educate the reader well. While not only training the audience’s minds to understand old English, Shakespeare’s plays and poems demonstrate how to write classically. Next is “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. As I have discussed on my blog before, this book is a wonderful example of symbolism in literature. It is great for beginners because it makes the allusions fairly obvious and also shows a perfect definition of satire. The last work that I think has shaped my cultural literacy is “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Harper Lee’s historical fiction not only includes symbolism, but also an intense storyline to captivate readers. The book teaches students about racism in the South in the 1930s without losing the audience’s attention. Overall, I think that these three stories should be considered classics and I would recommend them to anyone reading!