Behind each movie lies the meaningful aspects and significant features worth noticing. All movies and books can be carefully examined and interpreted. Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor provides a new view on interpreting literature. In the novel, Foster identifies and analyzes common patterns, themes, and motifs found in literature, many of which are also present in Disney’s film, Maleficent. This movie showcases several of his ideas, including quests, flight, geography, and symbolism. These are only a few characteristics that shape the movie into an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience for the audience.
Foster notes that most stories and movies follow a pattern concerning quests (Foster 6). A character’s quest…show more content… In chapter 15, Foster mentions that flight can represent multiple attributes, including love, escape, and ultimately “flight is freedom” (Foster 128). The opening scenes of the film illustrate Maleficent and her wings. Maleficent’s ability to fly allows her to escape reality and soar through new realms. Not only are the wings represented as freedom, but they are also symbolic of strength and authority. She is considered the most powerful creature in her kingdom because of her large wings. Her wings resemble those of an eagle’s. Like an eagle, Maleficent is a strong and potent creature, who dominates her land. In addition, Foster mentions that a winged character “... plays on our notions of wings and flight to explore the situation’s ironic possibilities” (Foster 130). Her wings are cut off by King Stefan and are placed in a cage to protect his kingdom. Initially, Maleficent was presented as a lighthearted fairy. However, after this incident, she transforms into an evil villain and is trapped in a world of darkness. Flying enabled Maleficent’s freedom, but once her wings were taken away, she changed into a new…show more content… This film features massive thorns, tangled tree roots, landscapes of trees and waterfalls, and the mystical creatures that inhabit the land. Foster states that “...landscape and architecture and weather … merged as neatly with mood and tone to set a story in motion” (Foster 166). In the movie, the thorns and tangled roots immediately set a foreboding and gloomy tone. Foster mentions that geography not only includes physical surroundings, but also the people that live there. The creatures living in Maleficent’s kingdom resembled her imagination. In addition, geography in this film served to isolate Maleficent’s kingdom from King Stefan's kingdom. The geographical isolation adds tension to the plot by establishing the apparent enemies and hatred toward each other. Foster also mentions that “Geography can also define or even develop character” (Foster 167). After Maleficent’s wings were removed, there were ominous skies, little sunlight, and few signs of life. These sudden changes in Maleficent's kingdom reflect her dark and evil soul. Geography in literature doesn’t always pertain to just the setting. It also serves as a symbol to represent the character’s