In chapter 21 of Foster’s book, he starts off by stating how “in real life” those who have a “physical mark or imperfection” aren’t all that important and they usually do not mean anything. However, he changes it up by applying these marks upon literary characters. This makes the character someone completely different and shows how the marking is actually very important to the development of that character. Foster also tells us that “sameness doesn’t present us with metaphorical possibilities” but markings or something different about a character allows that character to be different from the average and anything is possible with them. He uses many examples for how those with markings are the main characters or a certain character that is important and different such as Milkman Dead from Song of Solomon. Milkman has a leg being shorter than the other and had adapted to his condition. However, later in the story he is also cut up many times and almost killed. Milkman is shown as a very important character because of how different he is from a …show more content…
Bringing up the television show Breaking Bad again, the main character, Walter White, is afflicted with lung cancer. Already we can see how this will affect his life and future. His cancer is his marking that actually leads to his greatness and it “probably means something by it”(cc). Due to his cancer, Walter decides he needs to make money fast and becomes a drug manufacturer. Through this process, he actually becomes one of the biggest kingpins in the drug business. Therefore, the audience is able to see how his marking actually made him someone different. He was average before the marking, cancer, and when he contracted it he became someone completely different that lead his life to success. Foster’s explanation of markings easily is shown through the story of Walter’s life and how his marking actually makes him a more successful