Close Reading; Prose

Introduction

Before beginning to take apart an engine, you need to be able to know and understand the tools you will use. This Section aims to introduce you to the necessary tools.

Table of Contents

This section will cover the following topics.

Topic

See Page

The Purpose of All Writing

A-2

Reading for Content

A-4

Literary Terms For Content Reading

A-7

Quiz: Content

A-10

Reading for Symbolism

A-11

Literary Terms for Symbolism

A-12

Quiz: Symbolism

A-15

Reading for Structure

A-17

Literary Terms for Structure

A-18

Quiz: Structure

A-22

Putting it All Together: Close Reading

A-24

Exam: Close Reading

A-25
 

Dickens

For the purposes of this unit, we will concentrate on selections from Charles Dickens novel, "Hard Times" and on the novel "Oliver Twist."

 

The Purpose of All Writing

Introduction

This somewhat grand title trumpets a framework which I would like you to bring to every piece of writing you trip across. Indeed, this is true of every thing you see, in whatever medium that you see it.

Emotion

The purpose of all writing is to create emotion within you. When you read something, it should arouse some sort of emotion, whether it be anger, love, pity, humor or a mix of the above. The trickiest novels are the ones that mix all of them.

Argument

An essay that is trying to convince you of something (like "abortion is bad") may try and use the most cut and dried arguments, but, when you start peeling your way through the sentences, you can see the same techniques in use.

Hard Times Exercise

Read the first 2 pages of Chapter 11 (pg. 75-77) and answer the following questions

Questions

Answer the following questions fully.

• What does the word "Oblivion" mean on page 76?

• What are the "Fairy Palaces" ?

• How are you supposed to feel about Stephen?

• How are you supposed to feel about Coketown?

• Explain the title?

Continued on next page

, Continued

Oliver Twist

Read Chapters 1 and 2 of the work.

• How are you supposed to feel about Oliver?

• What are the difficulties Oliver experienced in coming to life?

• What happens to Oliver's mother?

• Explain the last line of Chapter 1?

• What is the workhouse like?

• Who is Mr. Bumble?

Why is he named that way?

How are we supposed to feel about him?

• What is cruel and violent about Oliver's life so far?

• What is the prediction for Oliver?

 

Reading for Content

Introduction

Content is the literal meaning of the words or what the story is about. Hard Times, for example, is about schooling in England. While Content is a fairly simple concept, it gets played out in many, many different ways.

What to look for?

When you read for content you are interested in the actual material that the writer is using. It is like reading a textbook. You just want the facts and the experience. How the writer presents it is secondary to this sort of reading.

You are looking for four types of information.

• Social commentary

• Philosophy

• Auto-biography

• Data.

Social Commentary

Social Commentary is political opinion, either expressed or implied in the text. The author wants you to think a certain way and may want you to change your actions.

Hard Times

Read Chapter 2 "Murdering the Innocents" and answer the questions

Questions

Answer the following questions fully.

• What does this school stress?

• What does it work on eliminating?

• How does Dickens want you to feel about Sissy?

• What does he want you to think about this type of school?

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Philosophy

In this case, you are looking for an overall life philosophy that the author believes in.

For example, some modern authors believe that there is no God. They are at pains to show this in their writing

Questions

The following questions correspond to Chapter 2 in Hard Times. Answer the questions fully.

• Which character does Dickens want you to like more: Bitzer or Sissy?

• What do you suppose Dicken's educational philosophy would be?

Auto-Biography

The act of writing reveals a great deal about the writer's life. What he values in his writing is probably what he values in real life. Don't take this sort of analysis to seriously, however.

Shakespeare and others thought writing was an imperfect mirror, that showed the author as much as it shows life.

For example, Dickens used to walk 5-15 miles at a time, sometimes more. Therefore, in his novels, we often see characters walk long distances

Questions

The following questions correspond to Chapter 2 in Hard Times. Answer the questions fully.

• Does Dickens like kids over adults? Explain.

• Does Dickens like boys over girls? Explain.

• Would Dickens believe in teaching art in school?

Data

Last but not least, when you look at content, you are often looking at new Data. If you read Tom Clancy's novel The Hunt for Red October, for example, you will learn a great deal about submarines.

Continued on next page

, Continued

Questions

The following questions correspond to Chapter 2 in Hard Times. Answer the questions fully.

• What is a horse?

• What is utilitarianism? (The philosophy of McChoakumchild, Gradgrind and Bitzer)

• How were teachers trained?

Oliver Twist

Read Chapter 5 for content and answer the following questions fully on another sheet of paper.

• What social commentary is Dicken's presenting in this chapter

• What philosophy does he show?

• What do you learn about the man, Charles Dickens, from this chapter?

• What new data did you learn?

 

Literary Terms for Content Reading

Introduction

The following literary terms are useful in analyzing the content of a passage.

Tone

Tone is the tone of voice that the author seems to be using.

Tone is usually described using words like:

• Humorous

• Ironic

• Sarcastic

• Hopeful

• Nostalgic

• Angry

• Instructive

• Deadpan (or Flat)

• Elevated

Irony

A passage is ironic if it's intended meaning is opposite it's expressed meaning.

For example: "My favorite pastime is cleaning the toilet with my toothbrush."

Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is a technique where you take a complicated passage and put it into your own words.

Audience

Any writer is making a story that is aimed at a particular audience. the writer makes some assumptions about his audience.

For example, Dickens assumed that his novel would not be read all in one gulp, but in short installations.

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Persona

A Persona is the person who is telling the story. It is generally thought to be the "author's voice" but that is misleading. Very often the persona and the author have very different sets of beliefs.

Dickens, for example, uses a very flat tone in some of his most rancorous passages. Dickens obviously feels differently, but he makes his persona speak in a different way.

Theme

The theme of a work is usually a general topic that runs throughout a work or even a body of work.

For example, Dickens often uses the theme of children beset by evil.

Jargon

Jargon is technical words, that might fit in one certain sort of paper, but generally should be avoided"

For example; Bus ports, ASCII text, C prompts, F-keys, and GUI's are common terms among the computer geeks, but not with most people.

Clichι

A clichι is an overused, tired expression.

For example; "Fresh as a daisy", "Old as the hills", "Fat as a Whale"

Idiom

Idiom is the local talk of an area. It is a set of words that have a specific meaning in one section of a country.

For example: The word "Frappe" is only used in Eastern Massachusetts and Maine to refer to a "Milk Shake."

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Hard Times

Read Chapter IV, page 244-5 in Hard Times and answer the following questions fully.

• What is the tone of Slackbridge's speech?

• How does Dickens use Irony?

• Paraphrase Slackbridge's speech.

• What Data do you learn about the working men in this section?

• What clichιs does Slackbridge employ?

• Who is the intended audience of Slackbridge's speech?

• Who is the intended audience of this entire section?

Oliver Twist

Challenge

The following are offered as challenge.

• Clichιs, p. 79-92 (3)

 

Quiz: Content

Introduction

This quiz is designed to test how well you remember, understand and can use the techniques used mentioned in the content section.

Content Reading

What are four different types of information you are looking for in content reading.

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

Definitions

Define the following words.

1. Tone

2. Irony

3. Clichι

4. Jargon

5. Persona

 

 

Reading for Symbolism

Introduction

Symbolism is a huge word that covers a wide variety of territories. For my purposes, Symbols are concrete things that are used to represent an idea.

How to Read for Symbolism

Reading for Symbols is like dumpster diving. After you have read a section for Content, go back through looking for examples of symbolism. After you have gone through the garbage, you can find the one or two valuable bits in there.

 

Literary Terms for Symbolism

Introduction

There are many, many types of symbolism. This unit will introduce you to the major groups.

Similes

Similes are a comparison of two unlike things using like or as.

For example: "Billy is as fat as a Budweiser beer keg."

Similes work on two levels.

• Literal: The object literally looks like this. In the example, Billy has a cylindrical shape, like a beer keg's.

• Figurative: The object has other characteristics in common. In the example, Billy probably drinks a lot of cheap beer.

Metaphor

Metaphors are comparisons between two unlike things without using like or as.

Like the simile, the metaphor also works on two levels.

For example: The sun is a giant lollipop.

Allegory

Allegory is an extended metaphor that stretches through the entire work.

For example; Many people think that the Hobbit is an allegory for the coming of Nazism.

Personification

Personification happens when you give a non-living object that characteristics of a living one.

For example: The earth breathed a sigh of relief as he swam into the sea.

Synecdoche

Synecdoche is weird word, but a common item. It happens when you use one small part to stand for a much larger part.

For example: Amanda tried to decide between seed books or law books.

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Hyperbole

Hyperbole is another weird word, but common item. It happens when you deliberately exaggerate something for effect.

For example: "If I don't eat soon, I'll die of starvation."

Under-statement

Understatement is the exact opposite of Hyperbole. In this, you deliberately lessen something for effect.

For example: "I was a bit put off when his gun went off."

Allusion

An allusion is a reference to another work. It is usually meant to convey emotion and not as a footnote.

For example: "You shall not nail the working man to a cross of Gold."

Oxymoron

Oxymoron is weird word and a weirder idea. It happens when you have two words next to each other than seem to contradict each other, but will produce a new idea.

For example: "She is a hideous beauty."

"Fiend Angelical"

Exercise: Hard Times

Read Chapter 1 on page 11, and answer the following questions fully.

• This chapter contains several similes. Find them, write them and explain how they work on two levels.

• Dickens uses a great deal of Hyperbole and Understatement here. Where?

• The word "Facts" is used as synecdoche. How?

• Much of the power of this passage comes from the final metaphor. What is it?

• What is the tone of this passage?

Continued on next page

, Continued

Exercise: Oliver Twist

Read chapter XI on page 70 and answer the following questions fully.

• What is the tone of the first paragraph?

What does that tell you about the persona?

• Find one or two examples of idiom on the first page.

• Find an example of hyperbole.

Why does Dickens use it?

• Understatement, as well, is used frequently in this passage. Find two examples and explain their use.

• Mr. Brownlow uses a metaphor to explain his memory. What is it?

• How does Dicken's refer to Fang over the course of the chapter. What literary term is this an example of?

• What data about England do you learn in this section?

Challenge

The following sheets work on the literary terms we have just studies. You may have seen them before. (1 point each)

• 6-3 Figures of speech

• 6-4 Similes and Metaphors

• 6-5 Euphemisms

• 6-6 Antithesis

• 6-7 Biblical Allusions

• 6-9 Symbolism

• 6-12 Oxymorons

 

Quiz: Symbolism

Introduction

This quiz is designed to test how well you remember, understand and can use the techniques used mentioned in the symbolism section.

Definitions

Define the following words.

1. Hyperbole

2. Allusion

3. Oxymoron

4. Synecdoche

5. Simile

Searching

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

......But when the time came, I asked Sheila, because noone else had asked her and I wanted to go with her so badly it hurt. I think, partly out of shock, she said yes. I spent the next month terrified that I would screw something up for her, on one hand, and proud as could be on the other. Noone really knew that we weren't going out and I was not in a big hurry to correct them.

When that Friday came, I wore the tuxedo my father got married in and Sheila appeared in a long, elegant white dress that had no label. It was a spring day that was still cool from the ocean and everyone lined the halls to watch and I swelled up as I walked down that corridor, stiff and formal, with everyone's eyes on the two of us. Later that night, she was named Prom Queen and that same feeling returned. We danced alone on the dance floor at the Vinalhaven Yacht Club, waltzing as my mother had taught me, as graceful and elegant as Jay Gatsby.

For a night. We all piled onto Sam Largent's two master, the "Susan B" to drink Champagne and watch the sun rise and after I returned her to the apartment, I was no longer Jay Gatsby, but Tom Fitzgerald and the taxi was waiting.

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She was marrying an off-islander, a summer person named Mark Wilson who had graduated from Harvard, was going to Columbia Law and who lived in Vinalhaven and Bronxville, NY. The service was to be held on the island next summer, in the First Congregational. I quietly wished her the best, that afternoon, because I remember how happy she had made me six months ago on an evening when the flowers bloomed and the moon rose and she had spun and laughed and waltzed in my arms.

Questions

Answer the following questions fully. Use another sheet of paper.

• What is the emotion the writer is trying to develop?

• What techniques is the writer using to do this?

Show Examples.

• What are the two most effect examples.

Writing

Using the techniques taught in this chapter, write a brief description of a memorable night.

 

 

 

Reading for Structure

Introduction

Like symbolism, structure is another global, all-encompassing word that supports all sorts of subterms.

Structure generally refers to the way the sentences and words are put together . It does not refer to the content of the sentences, generally.

Reading for Structure

You read for structure on your third time through the text, looking for various examples of the following terms and techniques.

You NEED to ask yourself "Why is the author doing this?" She is always doing it for effect, certainly, but "What effect"?

The Structure supports the content. The Structure of the writing is like the rhythm of music. If the author has done something particularly interesting in the content, it generally is going to appear in the structure.

 

Literary Terms for Structure

Introduction

There are many, many types of structure. This unit will introduce you to the major groups.

Repetition "Ted said that he loved me. Ted said that he couldn't live life without me. Ted said I was his world. Ted was wrong."

Alliteration

Alliteration is a much less common form of repetition. It happens when an author repeats the first letter of a word.

Example:

"Helplessly hoping her harlequin spirit..."

Sibilants/ Harsh Sounds

This technique is more common than you would think. It is the use of "S-Sounds" (Sibilants) for nice ideas and people and Harsh, abrupt sounds for nasty ideas and people.

Example:

Sissy is a good person, while

Bitzer is a bad one.

Rhyme

Rhyme is a rare form in literature, although common in poetry. Rhyme occurs when two words sound alike.

When seen in prose, generally, you should ask yourself why the author chose those two words.

When seen in poetry, you need to look for "Holes" in the rhyme or, more generally, how the rhyme contributes to the overall tone of the piece.

Continued on next page

Literary Terms, Continued

Meter

Meter is a much, much trickier matter. Meter is the rhythm of the syllables within the line. Meter is generally a negligible part of prose writing, but a fairly important term in poetry.

In poetry, you are looking to either explain a "hole" in the meter, or the overall effect.

Example:

"Whose Woods these are I think I know..."

Sentence Length

Very often, writers will play fast and loose with the length of their sentences. The attached sheets on "Chutes" will explain this better.

In general, long sentences build up an emotion while shorter sentences dissipate it.

Punctuation

Punctuation is very closely tied to Chutes.

In general, commas and semi-colons slow things down, and make you hesitate.

Capitalization

An author capitalizes (or refuses to capitalize) words for a reason. This is an unusual and heavy-handed effect, but it is used often for an ironic touch.

Example:

She looked at me with an icy point and told me that Society frowned on such behavior.

Stanzas/

Paragraphing

The general rule of almost all writing is that you switch to a new stanza or paragraph when you switch to a new topic. Don't forget this when you analyze writing. Often, a writer will switch paragraphs almost in the middle of a thought. Be aware that it has it's reasons.

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Onomatopoeia

This funny looking word stands for a common technique, that of making a sound look realistic on the paper.

Example:

Beep, Keerash, slurp, squeak, splut.

Apostrophe

This is a very odd word, pronounced completely different from how you think. This happens when an author directly addresses the reader with a thought or an interpretation.

Example:

"Oh, Dear Reader, the shock such behavior must have had on the gentler and nobler souls in the audience must go beyond saying...."

Exercise: Hard Times

Read pages 30-33 and answer the following questions. (111-112 in E)

• What is this passage about?

• What is the tone?

• Where does Dickens use repetition?

Why?

• Where does Dickens make use or creative Capitalization?

Why?

• Where does Dickens use Chutes and Stops?

Why?

• Where does Dickens use an Apostrophe?

Why?

• Look back in the Symbolism section. What examples of figurative language exist in this section?

Continued on next page

, Continued

Exercise: Oliver Twist

Read pages 166-173 and answer the following questions.

• What is this passage about?

• What is Dicken's tone in this section?

• Read the passage for symbolism. What examples are there?

Why are they there?

• Read the passage for structure?

What structural tricks has Dickens used?

Why?

 

Quiz: Structure

Introduction

This quiz is designed to test how well you remember, understand and can use the techniques used mentioned in the structural section.

Definitions

Define the following words.

1. Alliteration

2. Onomatopoeia

3. Apostrophe

4. Sibilants

5. Meter

Seeking and Searching

Read the following piece of text and answer the questions.

By Christmas time, she was bewitched. She was so completely smitten by his very being she could hardly breath. In the hall she'd blush bright red and she knew, for a fact, that she was not beautiful when she blushed

Every time she saw his face, her mind raced along erotic themes and she'd turn away embarrassed.

Not once did he look up. He never saw when she smiled in his direction. He talked to noone. So she kept trying. Tomorrow she'd try something new.

AND every time she saw him, she'd get butterflies. And when he looked vaguely in her direction, her hands would become cold and sweaty. And she'd watch him walk down the hall and she'd stare at his beautiful head as he turned the corner, out of sight.

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The days went by and her hopeless lust was unwatered. It grew without encouragement. She kept on trying

It really seemed beyond her capabilities; when, one fine day, yes, it could be. he looked up and smiled. Her heart went into ecstasies and she melted.

Monday, on the way to school, she skipped the whole way. She had him now. He smiled at her and she saw it; he looked at her when she looked at him and she couldn't wait to see him again. He was absent.

Questions

Answer the following questions fully. Use another sheet of paper

• What emotion is the writing trying to develop?

• What structural techniques does she use to develop that emotion?

Underline the examples.

• What two techniques are most effective and why?

 

Writing

Using chutes and many of the other techniques taught in this section, tell a one page story about an old boyfriend or girlfriend.

 

 

Putting it All Together: Close Reading

Introduction

Close Reading is a tool, like any other. The difficulty in using close reading is letting the writing hit you in the heart, before you start taking it apart.

All of this sounds terribly complicated. After you have some practice, however, it will become easier.

How to Close Read

Follow these steps in reading and analyzing a piece.

Step

Action

1

Read the piece openly

2

Skim the piece looking for the four types of Content

3

Skim the piece looking for the Symbolism

4

Skim the piece looking for Structure

5

Prioritize

Prioritize

"Prioritize" means finding what is important. or interesting.

You will find a lot more examples than you ever could write about. At some point, you are going to have to decide which observations are important.

How to Prioritize

Underlying all your analysis, are two questions. Ask them after you have done your readings.

• What is the tone or the intended effect of the piece?

• What techniques help the writer achieve that effect?

When you prioritize, you pick the techniques that the author uses most effectively in achieving his effect.

 

Exam: Close Reading

Introduction

The following exam is designed to show ho well you know, understand, and can use the information you learned in this unit.

Definitions

Define the following words fully. Pick 10.

1. Synecdoche

2. Allegory

3. Alliteration

4. Allusion

5. Apostrophe

6. Idiom

7. Irony

8. Jargon

9. Metaphor

10. Personification

11. Sibilants

12. Social Commentary

13. Tone

Continued on next page

Literary Quiz, Continued

Writing

Write an example of the following techniques.

• Simile

• Alliteration

• Apostrophe

• Synecdoche

• Oxymoron

 

SearchingContinued on next page

Exam, Continued

There was no applause. There was no crowd, no confetti, no screams or gasps or cries. The wind gusted. At mid-field, three Norwich players stood stock still, watching Rick lying in the end zone. The sidelines for a moment were still and silent as the sole sounds were the whistles of the referees and the gust of the Northern wind. But he was still undefeated and I smiled.

Questions

Answer the following questions fully. Use another sheet of paper.

• What is this piece about?

• What is the tone?

• Who is the persona?

How is the persona unusual?

• What examples of figurative language are in this?

Show the examples.

• What examples of structural language are in this piece?

Show the examples.