Interpreting and analyzing literature
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The document discusses the difference between interpretive literature and escape literature. Interpretive literature aims to broaden readers' understanding of life, enable consideration of implications, and answer "so what?" about what was read. It takes readers deeper into the real world to understand their troubles. Interpretive literature has a broader significance by providing insights into human existence, culture, or history.
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Interpreting and analyzing literature
- 2. “Escape literature is that written purely for entertainment—to help us pass the time agreeably.
- 3. Interpretive literature is written to broaden and deepen and sharpen our awareness of life.
- 4. Interpretive literature enables us to move beyondbeyond the text and consider its implications as human beings who live in the world today.
- 5. Interpretive literature answers the question “I read the book----so what?!”
- 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:
- 9. IInterpretingnterpreting andand AnalyzingAnalyzing LiteratureLiterature The process of discovering meaning through the examination of details and parts
- 10. Interpretation: Looking at a work’s details to decide on its meaning
- 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
- 15. How can we Interpret?How can we Interpret?
- 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?
- 38. Interpret this!Interpret this! #10 Uh huh