This document provides guidance on analyzing literature by focusing on various elements such as theme, literary terms, setting, characters, plot, metaphors/symbols, and narrator. It instructs the reader to examine how these elements relate to and present the central theme of a work. It also outlines an assessment task that requires comparing the theme between a novel and film adaptation through a 5 minute oral presentation, noting similarities and differences in how each conveys its perspective on the theme. Presentation skills like structure, notes versus script, eye contact, and body language are also addressed.

1. Analysing literature
Module 4
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2. Theme
 Focus on the theme.
 Examples: hatred, revenge, love, hope, friendship,
etc.
 The message or central topic of a story.
 How is the theme presented? How is it dealt with
throughout the story? Are there differences in the
film and the novel when it comes to the theme?

3. Literary terms
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 When focusing on the theme, you might want to
connect it to other aspects of the novel/film:
 Setting
 Characters
 Plot
 Metaphors and symbols
 Narrator

4. Setting
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 When?
 Present, past or future
 How do we know?
 Where?
 The place
 One or several?
 How do we know?
 Are these things relevant to the theme?

5. Characters
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 Protagonist – main character
 Antagonist – an important character that opposes
the main character.
 Appearance and personalities.
 Can you connect it to the theme?

6. Plot
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 What the story is about.
 The main events.
 Can you see a connection to the theme?

7. Metaphors and symbols
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 Metaphors – a way of describing something by
comparing it to something else:
“The city is a jungle.”
 Symbols - when an object is meant to represent
something or an idea greater than the object itself.
 Cross - representative of Christ or Christianity
 Owl - wisdom or knowledge
 Yellow - implies cowardice or rot

8. Narrator
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 The “person” telling the story.
 Could be a character in the novel or someone from
the outside.
 First, second or third person narrator.
 Omniscient narrator – all-knowing

9. Assessment task 4
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 Oral presentation of about 5 minutes (could be
longer).
 Compare the theme in the novel and the film.
 How is the theme presented?
 What are their views on the theme?
 What similarities and differences can you see with
regards to the theme?

10. Oral presentations
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 Stick to the topic.
 Clear structure: introduction, middle, and a good
ending.
 Use notes – do not read from a script.
 Eye contact and body language.
 Advice on talks and presentations: p. 108-109 in
PGA