6. Escape literatureEscape literature
takes us away
from the real
world: it enables
us temporarily to
forget our
troubles.
Interpretive literatureInterpretive literature
takes us through
the imagination,
deeper into the real
world: it enables
us to understand
our troubles.
7. Escape literature has
pleasure as its only
object.
Interpretive literature
has as its object
pleasure plusplus
understanding.”
8. Shows what it means to be a human being in the world.
Helps us to understand our world.
Helps us to understand ourselves
Presents an insight into the nature of our existence
Insights into our culture or history
Interpretive Literature has aInterpretive Literature has a
BROADER SIGNIFICANCE:BROADER SIGNIFICANCE:
11. How can we Interpret?How can we Interpret?
1. Get the facts straight
2.2. Connect the work with yourselfConnect the work with yourself
3. Develop ideas as you read
4.4. Write as you readWrite as you read
5.5. Get ideas from other peopleGet ideas from other people
6.6. Analyze the workAnalyze the work
12. How can we Interpret?How can we Interpret?
Get the facts straight
Connect the work with yourselfConnect the work with yourself
Develop ideas as you read
Write as you readWrite as you read
Get ideas from other peopleGet ideas from other people
Analyze the workAnalyze the work
13. How can we Interpret?How can we Interpret?
Get the facts straight
Connect the work with yourselfConnect the work with yourself
Develop ideas as you read
Write as you readWrite as you read
Get ideas from other peopleGet ideas from other people
Analyze the workAnalyze the work
14. How can we Interpret?How can we Interpret?
Get the facts straight
Connect the work withConnect the work with
yourselfyourself
Develop ideas as you read
Write as you readWrite as you read
Get ideas from other peopleGet ideas from other people
Analyze the workAnalyze the work
16. Getting the facts straight
In order to come up with believable interpretations
about a work, you have to understand what is in it
—the “facts”
Example: Do you know the meanings of words found
in the writing? Do you know allusions to the Bible
or mythology? Do you understand universal
patterns or symbols used?
READ SLOWLY and REREAD
17. Connect the work withConnect the work with
yourselfyourself
The most important meanings of literature will be
your own.
Interpretations by scholars should be important
because they represent a cultural heritage.
Relate the work to your life in some way in order for
it to live for you.
18. How can you connect the piece to yourself,How can you connect the piece to yourself,
especially if it is not interesting to you?especially if it is not interesting to you?
How are the characters or event similar to things
in your own life?
How might people you know react to this work?
Would it shock them? Scare them? Anger them?
What new things does the work bring up for you?
How does this work challenge your beliefs?
How does this work give you pleasure?
What is upsetting or unpleasant about it?
19. Develop ideas as you readDevelop ideas as you read
Most of you generate ideas as you read automatically. In
fact, you cannot read at all without making SOME
interpretation.
As you read, ask yourself questions about what the
details you encounter may mean.
Example: Why is the character acting like that? Why
does the author use this symbol? How does this
relate to the title of the work?
20. Write as you readWrite as you read
Make a copy of the work, if it is in your anthology.
Then, circle important passages, underline key
words, make notes in the margins, etc.
Your notations will help to lead you to the important
parts of the work– and to synthesize your thoughts
about it.
You may opt to keep a journal or notebook with your
reflections, summaries, descriptions, quotations,
facts about characters, etc.
21. Get ideas from other peopleGet ideas from other people
Sometimes it helps to know what other people think
about it. Other people’s ideas give us a place to
begin.
You can use the library, form a discussion group,
internet, friends, teachers, and other people may
know something about the topic.
The opportunity to exchange ideas is a valuable and
beneficial experience to understanding literature.
22. Analyze the workAnalyze the work
ANALYSIS means breaking something down into its
parts in order to examine the relationship among
them.
This is a necessary strategy for generating and
communicating interpretation.
Analyzing literature helps you to see how each part
contributes to the entire work. You can then become
better aware of how authors use the elements to
signal meaning.
24. What are the facts?What are the facts?
1. Two people
2. Movie on the screen
3. Headphones on the
man in sunglasses
4. Noise coming out of
the box attached to
headphones
25. Connect the work to yourselfConnect the work to yourself
Maybe the man is bored
with the cheesy
movie?
Maybe he is overworked
and trying to catch up
on homework?
Maybe he has on 3-D
glasses and is listening
to the movie in
another language?
26. Analysis…
How do theHow do the
headphones,headphones,
talking box,talking box,
and glassesand glasses
relate to therelate to the
picture as apicture as a
whole?whole?
