ENG 4U
THE STONE CARVERS
Analysis Exercise: The objective is to strengthen your analytical skills by examining
and discussing one passage in small groups and then as a class.
1. In groups of no more than four, examine Dieter and Helga’s discussion of their son
Tilman (p. 65).
2. Make notes on the significance of the passage; consider what it reveals about character,
how it develops the theme of imprisonment, in what ways it foreshadows or moves the
plot forward directly. Consider also the use of irony, symbolism, imagery.
3. Once you’ve developed notes, as a group prepare an overhead on which you put your
most important points expressed in clear and precise prose.
4. You will be asked to put your overhead up for the class and to defend your analysis to
the class.