Some simple steps to analyzing
a piece of literature
We’ll keep it simple and do the job well!
BTW – You can’t analyze a story until you understand it. Remember to
use all the vocabulary and questioning skills we’ve discussed in class before
you start any analysis.
Step One – Ask questions
• Read the text and ask yourself some questions as you are reading.
• For example you might ask “Is there a larger idea being presented by the
author than is just shown in the text of the story?” “Do the characters suffer
from tragic flaws?” “What is the conflict, or main problem?”
Step Two – Write down your thoughts.
• When you finish the story write down your questions. Don’t worry about
the answers just yet – unless they come into your mind. If so, go ahead.
Step Three – Create a summary.
• Summarize the plot. Write a short, clear explanation of what happened in
the story.
Step Three – Create a summary.
• Two roommates, Johnsy and Sudie, struggle as Johnsy contracts pneumonia. Johnsy is obsessed with the idea that
she will die from the disease when the last leaf on the vine outside her window falls. A downstairs neighbor, Mr.
Behrman, sacrifices his own life to paint a leaf on the window of Johnsy’s room, thus inspiring her with the will to
live.
•
Step Four – Learn about the context and
the author.
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Study the context of the story.
What other stories did the author write?
What is the author’s background and biographical information?
Did the author try to send a particular message – perhaps repeatedly?
Step Five – Explore the setting.
• Study the setting of the story.
• Does the setting of the story play into the events discussed in it?
• Could the story be set in another place or time and still be relevant and
meaningful?
• Did the author interweave the place the story occurred with the events in it?
Step Five – Explain the plot.
• Story lines usually follow patterns like those in the example below. Asking a
few simple questions will usually help you create a story line. Let’s look at
Matilda by Roald Dahl as an example.
• 1. What is the main problem or conflict? The plot hinges on some major problem,
often a conflict between characters or an obstacle that must be overcome.
• Ex. In Roald Dahl’s novel Matilda, Matilda’s parents neglect her and the
Trunchbull is evil to everyone, including Miss Honey. The Trunchbull is Miss
Honey’s aunt and cheated her out of her inheritance.
Step Five – Explain the plot.
• Story lines usually follow patterns like those in the example below. Asking a
few simple questions will usually help you create a story line. Let’s look at
Matilda by Roald Dahl as an example.
• 2. What is the climax? This is the high point of the action, when the conflict or
problem could either be resolved or cause a character’s downfall.
• Ex. Matilda uses her telekinetic powers to scare the Trunchbull into
believing the ghost of Miss Honey’s father is haunting her. The Trunchbull
runs away, leaving Miss Honey her house and belongings.
Step Five – Explain the plot.
• Story lines usually follow patterns like those in the example below. Asking a
few simple questions will usually help you create a story line. Let’s look at
Matilda by Roald Dahl as an example.
• 3. How does the problem resolve? The conflict or problem is solved and normalcy
or a new order is restored.
• Ex. Matilda’s family flees so her dad can escape prison, but Matilda gets to
stay and live with Miss Honey.
Step Five – Discuss the characters
• Who are the characters in the story and what motivates them?
• Look at the major characters. What is their role in the story? Are they the hero?
The bad guy? A secondary character? Why did the author give them this role?
• What are the character’s morals or ethics? Why did the author give them those?
• Why does the character do what they do? Why did the author make them act
that way?
• What is the character’s relationship to other characters and why? Why did the
author create the relationships?
Step Six – Examine the literary devices
• Various literary devices help convey meaning or create a mood. Look for
these in a story to identify key points and their contribution to the author’s
overall meaning. The following are a few common literary devices: allusion,
foil, irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism. Did the author employ these?
How?
Step Seven – Revisit the theme and tie it all
together.
• Once your analysis is complete, develop a simple analysis of the text. It
should connect one of the themes you’ve identified with specific proof from
the text such as setting, context, plot, characters, symbolism, or allusions.
• Use some specific examples.