Briefing
Welcome to the third unit!
Take detailed notes for upcoming quizzes and assignments to understand what lies ahead. Further, notes are submitted as part of your upcoming “Notes & Questions” assignments, so remember to write down any questions you may have, to include also.
CLOSE READING AND INTERPRETING LITERATURE
Exploring literature goes beyond reading words; it’s about understanding deeper meanings and themes. To master this skill, we’ll dive into techniques for “close reading” and interpretation. These methods will help you discover hidden insights in the texts you encounter.
Before diving into close reading, start with pre-reading preparation. This means immersing yourself in the historical and cultural context of the work, learning about the author, identifying literary styles, and exploring related themes.
Active reading is the next crucial step. As you read, take notes, jot down questions, and mark important details. This helps you engage with the material more deeply. Digital tools like PDFs can make it easy to copy and paste them elsewhere, to keep track of essential quotes for future use.
Next, analyze the basics: the plot, characters, setting, and how the story is told. The quizzes will cover the basics. Use your essays to dig deeper, comparing and combining these elements to uncover their significance.
Language is a powerful tool in literature. Pay attention to how the author uses words and literary devices. Also, be on the lookout for unusual terms, or repeated phrasings, that might have hidden meanings. Examining the text’s structure—like patterns, shifts, and repetitions—can reveal big themes and ideas.
Don’t be afraid to notice things that seem strange. These might be symbols or motifs that have deeper meanings. These oddities can lead you deeper into layers of interpretation.
Consider the historical and cultural context of the work to understand the author’s intentions. While you can’t always know exactly what the author meant, understanding their context can enhance your understanding. Think about why the author wrote the piece, their motivations, and what themes they wanted to convey.
Try connecting the text with other works, historical events, or big ideas. This approach can expand your understanding and show how the text relates to larger concepts.
Another important thing to analyze is character development. See how characters change throughout the text and think about their journeys. This often reveals important insights into the main theme or message.
When you’re interpreting the work, use evidence from the text to back up your ideas. And remember, there can be different interpretations. Discussing your thoughts with others can help you see different angles and refine your insights.
Lastly, take time to reflect on what you’ve found. Think about your interpretations and how they fit together to reveal deeper meanings in the text.
Interpreting Elizabeth Bennet’s Reading Journey
For a practical example, let’s look at Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the novel is portrayed as a discerning reader, symbolized by her “fine eyes,” which is a weird phrase that is weirdly commented on repeatedly — a tip-off that they are a symbol of something deeper.
In contrast to societal norms that dictate women’s roles, Elizabeth’s passion for reading stands out, notably when Miss Bingley condescendingly labels her “a great reader.” Elizabeth recognizes reading’s significance, yet acknowledges its limits in replacing genuine life experiences—much like Mary, whom Austen later identified as a humorous version of her youthful self.
In the novel, the central conflict unfolds through Elizabeth’s misinterpretation of events. This misreading begins in chapter 10 and escalates in chapter 11. A peculiar circular walk — they”take a turn about the room” — where characters literally go in circles — getting nowhere — serves as a metaphor for the characters’ spiraling misunderstandings.
A significant narrative shift transpires when Elizabeth reads a letter. This event, a midpoint in the story, aligns with the screenwriting concept of a pivotal revelation, where the protagonist realizes their earlier errors, as Elizabeth does as she reads — and re-reads — the letter.
Austen employs an interesting technique to emphasize this turning point. She dedicates one chapter to presenting the letter verbatim, mimicking Elizabeth’s experience of reading it. Readers first read the letter through, just as Elizabeth does.
In the ensuing chapter, readers delve into Elizabeth’s thoughts as she reevaluates the letter’s content more carefully and deeply. Initially skeptical due to the stark contrast from her assumptions, Elizabeth employs close reading, meticulously dissecting the letter. Gradually, she embraces the truth, realizing her previous pride and prejudice, which led her astray.
Austen satirizes individuals who moralize excessively or romanticize reading — while championing the value of literature for knowledge, understanding human experience, and personal growth.
Elizabeth’s reevaluation underscores the significance of critical interpretation — and humility. The most foolish characters are arrogant, filled with pride and prejudice. Austen’s wisest characters, like Elizabeth, exemplify using literature to gain insight into both external realities and one’s self, highlighting humility as the gateway to wisdom.
A memorable phrase from Socrates, “True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing,” encapsulates this theme of humility and lifelong learning. Embracing the notion that we continually have something to learn opens the door to acquiring wisdom. We have to realize we don’t know something before we can know it. Our journey of discovery and growth is paved with humility.
In conclusion, close reading isn’t just reading; it’s actively engaging with a text, exploring its layers, and understanding its meanings. By using these techniques, you can unlock the richness of literature and develop a deeper appreciation for the wisdom it offers.
