2 chapter 5 when in doubt its from shakespeare main

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Chapter 5: “When in Doubt, It’s From Shakespeare…”
Main Ideas:
● Shakespeare’s work is commonly referenced and reimagined in the works of other
authors.
● The reason he is so frequently used is because his works are familiar to most
people.
The Great Gatsby uses the same themes of tragedy and hopeless love that Shakespeare is
so famous for. These thematic elements are used because they are familiar to most
audiences, which compels readers to feel more deeply connected to the story.
Chapter 6: “... Or the Bible”
Main Ideas:
● Writers often pull direct quotes from or build stories around the Bible.
● They use the Bible because it is familiar to most readers, and creates a sense of
resonance.
I can think of several titles off the top of my head that are heavily influenced by the Bible.
Some of these include The Scarlet Letter, Milk and Honey, and (of course) The Poisonwood
Bible. Each one has different Biblical ties; The Scarlet Letter is more about the sin of adultery,
while The Poisonwood Bible pulls from several different stories; such as the ten plagues that
befall Egypt before the exodus and journey to Mt. Sinai. Rupi Kaur’s ,Milk and Honey, gets its
title from a more comforting idea in the Bible about “ ... a land flowing with milk and honey”
(Deuteronomy 11:19), which I have always related to nourishment and prosperity. Kaur’s
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poems are intended to nourish the soul and spirit, and help them to grow and prosper,
which is what makes the title that she chose such a good fit.
Chapter 7: “Hanseldee and Greteldum”
Main Ideas:
● Writers also often use children’s literature to establish an element of familiarity in
their works.
● Hansel and Gretel is a popularly used fairy tale, as it has a “universal appeal.”
● If you spot allusions to a fairy tale within an advanced reading selection, then you
should expect to see irony in the mix.
Marissa Meyer’s, Cinder , is already referencing the fairy tale of Cinderella in the title of her
book. Although it deviates in a much different direction than the original, as it is about a girl
who is a futuristic robot, it also has clear ties to the Disney interpretation we are all so
familiar with. This shows how widely influential fairy tales have become, and how powerful
and resonant our familiarity with them can be.
Chapter 8: “It’s Greek to Me”
Main Ideas:
● “Myth” doesn’t necessarily mean false; it is merely a body of story.
● Greek mythology has inspired the stories of many writers.
● Writers use mythology because readers recognize and connect to it, which enhances
one’s experience with literature.
The Red Pyramid was inspired by Egyptian mythology, but tells the story of a brother and
sister in modern times. By incorporating an element as old as Egyptian mythology into a
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contemporary setting, the author helps the reader to make connections across history
while still making it easy to understand and relate to.