1. The Literary Elements

2. Why Interpret? Never forget that an author begins with a blank page
Everything put into the text makes a contribution to the author’s vision/perspective

3. Setting
Includes WHERE a story takes place and WHEN a story takes place
Can affect mood/tone

4. Plot Sequence of RELATED events that happen in the story
Clearly build toward something ahead
CONFLICT (a struggle of some kind) is the most important element in the plot
Series of complications contribute to rising action

5. Plot (cont.) Plot Diagram on board/paper Exposition Rising Action
Character in series of complications under a larger conflict
Climax
Point where the character faces most significant obstacle and responds
Falling Action
Denouement/Resolution
(“unknotting”)

6. Conflict Person vs. Nature Person vs. Person Person vs. Self
Person vs. Society

7. Foreshadowing
Hints in the text that clue us in to a significant plot event to come
Violent storms indicate violence to come in plot

8. Flashback
Interruption that takes us back to a previous event or experience in the plot or character’s life
Shift from president in oval office to a scene from his high school experience

9. Characterization How a writer reveals a character’s personality
Direct Characterization:
Author tells us what the character is like (e.g. deceitful, honest, evil, kind)
Indirect Characterization:
Physical description
Words & thoughts
Other characters’ thoughts & comments
Character’s actions

10. Characterization Dynamic vs. Static Round vs. Flat Change or not
Complex personality w/different traits, or easily summed up personality?

11. Characterization Examine the character’s “journey” Evolve/Devolve?
Grow or become diminished?
Better off or worse off beginning to end?
Much movement but same place?
What contributed to shaping character?

12. Symbolism
When the author uses objects, events, or characters to represent THE BIG PICTURE
Something in the story stands for something else
- white hat/black hat
In the Bible, seeds eaten by birds stand for those who hear and don’t believe

13. Allusion Reference to a well-known literary work or character
Bob and Sarah sure are a couple of star-crossed lovers
As Tiger Woods strolled through the crowd, it was like he was parting the white sea

14. Irony Discrepancy between expectations & reality Verbal Irony
Situational Irony
Dramatic Irony

15. Verbal Irony Speaker says one thing but means another
“That Michael Jackson tattoo is really cool. It’s still sort of subtle and understated even though it covers your whole back.”

16. Situational Irony What happens is the opposite of what’s expected
A woman is assaulted by a man, waits 35 years to get revenge, then falls in love with him the next time they meet

17. Dramatic Irony Audience knows what the characters don’t
Character asks what punishment for her crime will be, thinking it will be a fine; audience knows the punishment will be death

18. Point of View The angle from which the story is told
1st person (I, we)
More intimate w/narrator
Tough to judge narrator?
(Consider naïve & unreliable narrator)
3rd person (he, she, they)
limited (1 character’s POV)
or omniscient (all-knowing)

19. Style How it is said influences what it means
Diction (word choice) & syntax (word arrangement) influence mood/tone
Does it change the pace?
Does it suggest something about characters?
How’s it make the reader feel? Exhausted? Exhilarated?

20. Theme The Author’s vision
What’s s/he saying about human nature, the way the world works, our relations to others?
It’s just one view & it’s up for interpretation
Death of the Author

21. Some Themes… Justice prevails Love conquers all
Society will always overwhelm the individual
Children often see more clearly than adults
There’s no place for the artist in the jungle