Reading Short Fiction & Poetry
AP English Lit. & Comp.
Understanding Fiction
• We have discussed critical reading – and why it
is so important. To help us understand a text
better, we need to look at many different creative
elements that make a work what it is.
Titles
• Usually prepare the reader for what is coming by
revealing something that will be important in
relation to the plot, characters, or final outcome of
the story.
▫ What does the title tell you? How does it prepare you
for what’s to come?
▫ Does it reveal anything about time, setting, or
characters?
▫ Is the title an allusion? Does it refer to something
outside the work?
▫ Is the title conveying a belief or a value judgment?
Authors
• They are people too, and they bring their
“baggage” – their backgrounds and experiences
into their writing.
▫ What do you know about the author?
▫ Where is the author from?
▫ When did the author live? Are the cultural or
moral values of that period reflected in the story?
▫ What significant experiences in the author’s life
may have contributed to this story?
Themes
• This is the main idea or meaning of the story.
• The theme is usually broad enough to be applied
to the specific work and to real life situations as
well.
• The theme can be interpreted differently by
different readers – there is no absolute
interpretation of ANY work of art.
Themes
• Therefore, instead of asking “What is the author
trying to say?” or “What am I supposed to see in
this?” bring your knowledge and experience to the
story and ask questions like:
▫ Does the story deal with moral or social issues?
▫ How do I feel about these issues?
▫ What do the actions of the characters reveal about
human nature?
▫ What does the story reveal about relationships?
▫ How does the story make me feel?
▫ Are there words or phrases in the story that sound like
a message or an idea about the lives of the characters
or about real life?
Characters & Point of View
• These serve as the author’s primary vehicle for
telling the story. Through the characters,
readers receive information about other
characters, events, setting, plot, and theme.
• This information is filtered through the
perspective of the character telling the story.
Characters & Point of View
• What do I know about the characters? Where are they
from? What are their ages?
• Are they directly involved with the action of the story or
are they observing events and relaying them as they
occur?
• Do I know how the characters feel? Who is telling me
about them?
• What are the characters struggling for or against?
• Which characters contribute the most to the story
through their words or actions? The least?
• Which characters change? How? Why?
• How do I feel about the characters? Can I relate to
them? Do I sympathize with them?
Plot
• Plot describes what is happening in a story. It
involves anything related to the events and actions
of the story, including structure and conflict.
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How does the story begin?
Does it begin in the middle of an event?
What causes action to escalate?
Who or what does the conflict or struggle involve?
Is it a philosophical conflict or a conflict within the
mind of one character?
▫ Is the conflict between characters, society, or nature?
▫ What steps are taken to resolve the conflict?
▫ Am I happy with the ending? Why or why not?
Setting, Tone, & Atmosphere
• These all contribute to the way the meaning of the
story (theme) is conveyed.
• This is how the author reveals his attitude toward
the subject.
▫ Where and when does the story take place?
▫ What might the place and time of the story reveal
about the character’s values, motivations, and actions?
▫ Can I detect the author’s tone or attitude toward the
character, setting, or events?
▫ How would I describe the environment or atmosphere
of the story?
▫ How are the setting and tone related to the theme?
Language & Imagery
• These are often taken for granted, but are very
important.
• With language, authors tell stories, bring
characters to life, and create images through
which readers imagine the setting, action, and
events of the story.
Language & Imagery
• How would I describe the diction of the story? Is it
formal or informal?
• How would I describe the speech of the characters?
Does it reveal their background?
• Is the language descriptive?
• Do I have a picture of the characters and setting in
my head?
• Does the author use figurative language such as
metaphors, symbols, or personification?
• What is the overall affect of the language in
conveying the theme?
Practice…
• While reading “Araby” by James Joyce, you will
keep track of the elements we just discussed.