Close Reading of a Literary Passage

How to begin?

Ask yourself several specific questions about the passage

V. Symbolism

a. Are there metaphors? What kinds? b. Is there one controlling metaphor? c. How might objects represent something else? d. Do any of the objects, colors, animals, or plants appearing in the passage have traditional connotations or meaning? What about religious or biblical significance? e. Could the entire passage have allegorical meaning beyond the literal level?

III. Discerning Patterns

a. Does an image here remind you of an image elsewhere in the book? Where? What's the connection? b. How might this image fit into the pattern of the book as a whole? c. Could this passage symbolize the entire work? d. What is the sentence rhythm like? Short and choppy? Long and flowing? What is the style like? e. anything unusual about punctuation? f. repetition within passage? what is the effect of that repetition?

IV. Point of View and Characterization

a. How does this passage make us react or think about any characters or events within the narrative? b. Are there colors, sounds, physical description that appeals to the senses? Does this imagery form a pattern? c. Who speaks in the passage? To whom? Does the narrator appear to be omniscient?

I. First Impressions

a. What is the first thing you notice about the passage? b. What is the second thing? c. Do these two things complement each other? Contradict each other? d. What mood does the passage create in you? Why?

II. Vocabulary and Diction

a. which words do you notice first? why? What is noteworthy about this diction? b. How do the important words relate to one another? c. Do any words seem oddly used to you? Why? d. Do any words have double meanings? Do they have extra connotations?

When close reading...

analyze passage in fine detail, comment on points of style and reactions as reader

Why is close reading important?

it is the building block for larger analysis