The Logic Stage

Analyzing the Novel

or

“What is the Author Trying to Say?”

“What Evidence is Presented?”

“Am I Persuaded?”

In transporting the reader to the writer’s world, the author employs various techniques including setting, conflict, point of view, characterization (including motivations), images and metaphors.  In analyzing a book, the reader should answer the following questions in their reading journal:

1.      Is this a chronicle (set in our world) or a fable (set in a fantastic world)?

a.      Chronicle:  Does the author focus on physical detail (setting) or psychological detail (motivation)?

b.      Fable:  Does the author present an allegoric world or a speculative world?

c.      Primarily Realistic:  realistic but contains a few “fantastic” elements.  This is NOT considered a fable.

2.      What does the central character (or characters) want?  What is standing in the way (conflict)?  What strategy is pursued to overcome this challenge/block?

a.      man vs. man

b.      man vs. nature

c.      man vs. society

d.      man vs. self

3.      Who is telling the story? (point of view)

a.      1^st person or “I” – limited perspective; private thoughts/awareness

b.      2^nd person or “you” – intimate but limited to the present tense, cutting out reflection of the past

c.      3^rd person subjective or “he/she/they” – writer can delve into each person’s thoughts

d.      3^rd person objective – removed perspective; can see everything happening but cannot delve into the hearts or minds of characters ( a film maker’s point of view)

e.      Omniscient – like “God”: can see and explain everything )allows writer to moralize and assert personal ideas)

4.      What are the physical aspects where the story takes place? (setting)

a.      Natural place:  look at how the novelist views the human relationship to the physical world.

                                                                          i.      Is humanity so intimately connected to nature that it responds to the human plight?

                                                                        ii.      Or is the universe indifferent to man’s struggles?

b.      Human-built surroundings:  city, house or room – may reflect the inner life of the characters e.g. bare and clean, cluttered and confused

5.      What writing style does the author use? – plain, complex, ornamental?

6.      Does the author effectively use images or metaphors to send the intended message?

7.      What are the beginning and ending like?