FNS - Literature and Analysis Lesson
Literature and Analysis
Analyzing Works of Literature
Identifying all of the elements discussed in this module helps you fully understand the text and the overall theme. Remember that the theme is important because it is the underlying meaning behind the whole story. You will use the same process whether the text is a novel, short story, poem, or drama, etc. in order to analyze, or break apart, a work of literature. View the following video that explains the purpose of theme and highlights how to determine the theme of a text:
Steps of Literary Analysis
The following steps will help you fully break apart a work of literature to understand the theme and the deeper meaning of the text. Roll your mouse over each of the six steps to learn more.
| Summarizing the text allows readers to narrow down the most important plot points. | |
| This might give the reader information on the author's purpose and guides readers towards naming the correct theme. | |
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The author chooses when and where a story takes place for a reason. The entire story or message could change with a different setting, so consider the setting when identifying the theme. |
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The author uses certain characters to carry their messages for a reason. Understanding the characters, their relationships, their conflicts, and their actions create more insight into selecting a theme. |
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| Note the various literary devices that work together to create the mood and tone, irony, foreshadowing, suspense, foil characters, and symbolism among others. | |
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Identify the main idea of a piece of writing or work of literature that an author is trying to express to the reader about life or human nature. The theme should be one word of few words that reveal the underlying meaning of the author or the text. |
Reading Assignments
Now that we have discussed the important elements of point of view, characterization, conflict, mood, and tone, you will apply your understanding to two widely known short stories. As you read through each story, try to recognize the literary elements that we have identified in this module. Also, try to determine an overall theme for each story.
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1842)
Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer known for his mysteries and grim tales. Poe was one of the first to begin practicing the "short story," and he is known as the inventor of "detective fiction." Many themes occurring in Poe's stories deal with the effects and questions of death.
"The Tell-Tale Heart" (1843)
"The Tell-Tale Heart" is about a man who tells a story to prove that he is not insane. However, the story that he tells is about his plan to murder an old man whom the narrator claims to love dearly. He decides to murder the man because he is afraid of the man's pale blue eye. After he commits the murder, he breaks down and clearly reveals his insanity to readers.
Now, let's read "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. Links to an external site. Use the reading comprehension questions as a guide. After reading the story, were you able to understand the characters through characterization and identify the irony and conflict in the story? Did you determine a certain theme of the story?
"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
W.W. Jacobs (1863-1943)
Born in London in 1863, Jacobs worked at the Post Office while he attempted to publish his stories. Upon finding success, he was able to quit the Post Office and pursue his passion for writing. Jacobs is most known for his popular ghost stories that he wrote.
"The Monkey's Paw" (1902)
"The Monkey's Paw" is about a mummified monkey's paw brought back from a war in India. The paw is under a spell and can grant three wishes to three different men. The paw grants the wishes, but each wish comes with a disastrous consequence for trying to change fate.
Now, let's read "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. Links to an external site. Use the questions at the end of the reading to help you understand the story. After you finish reading the story, did you experience any suspense? Were you able to understand the characters? Did you decide on a certain theme for the story?
"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney
Jack Finney (1911-1995)
Jack Finney was an American author who worked in advertising for much of his life. His first novel, The Body Snatchers, was published in 1955 after he and his family moved to California. He found the most success with his 1970 publication of Time and Again. Finney is most remembered for his science fiction and thrillers.
"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" (1956)
"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" provides readers with a protagonist, Tom Benecke, who struggles with an internal conflict. Benecke spends most of his time trying to gain a promotion at work, and he ends up neglecting his wife. Through an ironic and suspenseful twist of fate, Benecke goes through an experience where he has to struggle with time in order to understand that time with loved ones matters more than a job.
Now, let's read "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket." Read "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" by Jack Finney. Links to an external site. At the end of the story, were you able to characterize the characters and identify the conflict in the story? Did you determine a certain theme of the story?
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