Developing Analytical Skills

1. Close Reading

You will demonstrate your ability to read attentively and closely.

Close reading is a critical skill in studying English literature, allowing you to go deeper into the text and uncover layers of meaning. Here is how you can demonstrate your ability to read attentively and closely, using Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” as an example:

Initial Reading

Read for Comprehension: Read the poem to understand the basic themes and imagery. For example, in “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” the initial reading might reveal the poet’s meditation on death and the lives of common people buried in the churchyard.

Detailed Annotation

Highlight Key Passages: Mark important lines and phrases that stand out or seem significant. For instance, you might highlight the opening lines:

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,

The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Make Marginal Notes

Write your thoughts, questions, and observations in the margins. Note any literary devices, such as the personification of the curfew bell and the imagery of the plowman, and consider their impact on the poem.

Analyzing Language and Style

Examine Word Choice: Look at Gray’s choice of words and phrases. Consider why specific words were chosen and how they contribute to the tone and meaning. For example, “knell” suggests a funeral bell, setting a somber tone.

Study Sentence Structure

Analyze the syntax and structure of sentences. Notice how the arrangement of words affects the rhythm and flow of the poem. The regular meter and rhyme scheme contribute to the elegiac and reflective mood.

Understanding Context

Understanding the historical and cultural context of a text is crucial as it provides deeper insights into the themes and characters. For instance, knowing that Gray wrote this poem in the 18th century, a time when many poets reflected on mortality and the human condition, can significantly deepen your understanding of its themes and the poet’s intentions.

Author’s Background

Learn about Thomas Gray’s life and other works to understand his perspective and influences. Gray’s personal experiences with loss and his scholarly background influenced his contemplative style.

Interpreting Themes and Symbols

Identify Themes: Look for central themes and ideas that the poem explores. In “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” themes of mortality, the passage of time, and the value of common lives are prominent.

Analyze Symbols: Identify symbols and motifs, and think about what they represent. For example, the “yew tree’s shade” symbolizes death and mourning, while the “plowman” represents the hardworking common people.

Engaging with the Text

Questions are not just a part of the process, they are the fuel that drives your understanding of the text. Why did Gray choose a rural churchyard as the setting? What is the significance of the “rude forefathers of the hamlet”? These are the questions that will lead you to deeper insights.

Form Hypotheses: Develop your own interpretations and hypotheses about the text. Be prepared to revise them as you gather more evidence. You might hypothesize that Gray is emphasizing the dignity and worth of every human life, regardless of social status.

Synthesizing Information

Connect Ideas: Relate different parts of the poem to each other. Look for patterns and connections that enhance your understanding. For example, connect the imagery of the setting sun with the theme of mortality.

Draw Conclusions: Based on your analysis, draw conclusions about the poem’s meaning and significance. Be ready to support your findings with evidence from the text. You might conclude that Gray’s elegy is a meditation on the universal nature of death and the often-overlooked value of ordinary lives.

Writing About Your Analysis

Organize Your Thoughts: Structure your analysis logically, with clear arguments and supporting evidence. For example, start with an introduction that outlines your main argument, followed by body paragraphs that explore specific aspects of the poem, and conclude with a summary of your findings.

Use Textual Evidence: Support your points with direct quotes and detailed references to the poem. Explain how the evidence supports your analysis. For instance, quotes from the poem can be used to illustrate Gray’s use of imagery and symbolism.

2. Developing Literal Understanding

You will understand the literal meaning of texts, including historically specific meanings.

Authorial Choices: You will identify authorial choices, from micro to macro levels of a text, and consider the effects of those choices.

It’s not just about understanding the text, it’s about adding your own voice to the ongoing conversations in the field. You will contribute independently to these discussions, offering your unique perspective informed by scholarly research.

Understanding the literal meaning of a text involves comprehending its basic narrative, themes, and historically specific meanings. Here is how you can demonstrate this skill using Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”:

Basic Comprehension

Plot and Setting: The poem is set in a rural churchyard at dusk. The speaker reflects on the lives of the ordinary people buried there and contemplates the inevitability of death.

Example: The opening lines set the scene:

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,

The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

These lines describe the end of the day and the transition to night, establishing a somber and reflective mood.

Understanding Historical Context

18th-Century Context: Gray wrote the poem in the mid-18th century when many poets explored themes of mortality and the human condition. The poem reflects the period’s preoccupation with death and the afterlife.

Example: The line “The paths of glory lead but to the grave” reflects the 18th-century view that no matter one’s social status, death is the great equalizer1.

Literal Meaning of Key Phrases

Literal Interpretation: Understanding the literal meaning of specific phrases helps grasp the poem’s overall message.

Example: The phrase “The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep” literally means that the simple, unrefined ancestors of the village are buried in the churchyard.

Authorial Choices and Their Effects

Word Choice and Imagery: Gray’s choice of words and imagery contributes to the poem’s reflective tone and themes.

Example: The use of “knell” in “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day” suggests a funeral bell, immediately setting a tone of mourning and reflection.

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Distinguishing between literal and figurative language is an important skill in studying English literature. Recognizing when Gray uses literal versus figurative language can significantly enhance your understanding of the text, as it allows you to grasp the different layers of meaning and the author’s use of language to convey his message.

Example: The line “The plowman homeward plods his weary way” is a literal description of a farmer returning home after a day’s work, while “The paths of glory lead but to the grave” is more figurative, suggesting that all achievements ultimately end in death.

3. Acquiring Knowledge and Broadening Understanding

Broad Range of Literature

To demonstrate your ability to connect your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of literature in English from the beginning to the present, consider the following steps and examples:

Read Widely Across Periods and Genres:

Example: Start with early works like Beowulf (Old English epic poetry), move to Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (Middle English narrative poetry), then to William Shakespeare’s plays (Renaissance drama), and continue through to contemporary authors like Zadie Smith (White Teeth).

Suggestion: Create a reading list that includes key works from each major literary period. This will help you see the evolution of themes, styles, and genres over time.

Compare and Contrast:

Example: Compare the themes of heroism in Beowulf with those in modern works like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Notice how the concept of the hero has evolved.

Suggestion: Write comparative essays to explore how different authors treat similar themes or how literary styles have changed.

Literary History Timeline

Understanding the timeline of literary history, including the dates, chief characteristics, and major authors of recognized literary periods, is crucial. Here’s a brief overview with examples:

• Old English Period (450-1066):

Example: Beowulf – An epic poem that reflects the values and culture of the Anglo-Saxon Period.

Chief Characteristics: Oral tradition, heroic poetry, Christian themes.

• Middle English Period (1066-1500):

Example: Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales – A collection of stories that provides insight into medieval society.

Chief Characteristics: Courtly love, chivalry, religious themes.

• Renaissance (1500-1660):

Example: William Shakespeare’s Hamlet – A play that explores themes of revenge, madness, and mortality.

Chief Characteristics: Humanism, exploration of individualism, classical influences.

• Neoclassical Period (1660-1798):

Example: Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock – A mock-epic poem that satirizes the trivialities of high society.

Chief Characteristics: Satire, emphasis on reason and order, classical forms.

• Romantic Period (1798-1837):

Example: William Wordsworth’s Lyrical Ballads – Poems emphasizing nature, emotion, and individual experience.

Chief Characteristics: Emotion over reason, nature, and the sublime.

• Victorian Period (1837-1901):

Example: Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations – A novel that critiques social class and industrialization.

Chief Characteristics: Realism, social critique, moralism.

• Modern Period (1901-1945):

Example: Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway – A novel that explores the inner lives of its characters through stream-of-consciousness.

Chief Characteristics: Experimentation with form, stream-of-consciousness, disillusionment.

• Contemporary period (1945-present):

Example: Zadie Smith’s White Teeth – A novel that addresses multiculturalism and identity in modern Britain.

Chief Characteristics: Diversity, global perspectives, postmodernism.

Contextual Awareness

Understanding the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which literary works are produced and to which they respond is essential for deep literary analysis. Here’s how to develop this awareness:

Historical Context:

For example, Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is set during the French Revolution. Understanding the historical events of this period helps comprehend the novel’s themes of sacrifice and resurrection.

Suggestion: Research the historical background of the period in which a work was written. This can include significant events, prevailing social norms, and political climates.

Cultural Context:

Example: Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart provides insight into Igbo culture and the impact of colonialism in Nigeria. Understanding Igbo traditions and the effects of British colonization enriches the reading experience.

Suggestion: Study the cultural background and traditions depicted in the literature. This can involve reading secondary sources or watching documentaries.

Social Context:

Example: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice explores marriage, class, and social mobility themes in early 19th-century England. Knowing the social hierarchy and gender roles of the time helps understand the characters’ motivations and conflicts.

Suggestion: Examine the social issues and norms of the period in which the work was written. Consider how these issues are reflected in the characters and plot.

4. Learning to Respect Differences

Class, Race, Gender: You will demonstrate your respect for differences (class, race, gender) in your knowledge and understanding.

Literature from around the world has played a significant role in addressing and reflecting on issues of class, race, and gender, contributing to cultural, historical, social, and political change. Here are some examples and suggestions to demonstrate respect for these differences:

Class

Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist

Example: This novel, published in 1837, highlights the harsh realities of the poor and the working class in Victorian England. Through the story of Oliver, an orphan who faces numerous hardships, Dickens critiques the social injustices and the brutal conditions of workhouses.

Impact: Dickens’ work brought attention to the plight of the poor and influenced social reform in England.

Suggestion: When studying Oliver Twist, consider the historical context of the Industrial Revolution and how Dickens’ portrayal of poverty and child labor reflects the social issues of the time.

John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath

Example: This 1939 novel tells the story of the Joad family, who are displaced from their farm during the Great Depression and travel to California in search of a better life. Steinbeck’s depiction of the struggles of migrant workers highlights the economic disparities and the exploitation of the working class.

Impact: The novel raised awareness about the conditions faced by migrant workers and contributed to labor reform movements in the United States.

Suggestion: Analyze how Steinbeck uses the Joad family’s journey to critique the American Dream and the socio-economic inequalities of the 1930s.

Race

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Example: Published in 1852, this novel depicts the brutal realities of slavery in the United States through the story of Uncle Tom, an enslaved African American. Stowe’s work humanized the plight of slaves and galvanized the abolitionist movement.

Impact: The novel played a crucial role in changing public opinion about slavery and is often credited with helping to ignite the Civil War.

Suggestion: Consider the historical context of the pre-Civil War era and how Stowe’s portrayal of slavery influenced the abolitionist movement and American society.

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

Example: This 1958 novel explores the impact of British colonialism on Igbo society in Nigeria. Through the story of Okonkwo, Achebe portrays the cultural clash between traditional African values and Western influences.

Impact: Achebe’s work provided a counter-narrative to colonial literature and highlighted the complexities of African societies.

Suggestion: Examine how Achebe uses the character of Okonkwo to critique colonialism and its effects on indigenous cultures and identities.

Gender

Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own

Example: This extended essay, published in 1929, argues for the importance of financial independence and personal space for women writers. Woolf explores the historical and social barriers that have prevented women from achieving literary success.

Impact: Woolf’s work has been influential in feminist literary criticism and has inspired generations of women writers.

Suggestion: Analyze how Woolf’s arguments about gender and creativity reflect the broader feminist movement of the early 20th century.

Toni Morrison’s Beloved

Example: This 1987 novel tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter. Morrison explores themes of motherhood, trauma, and the legacy of slavery.

Impact: Beloved has been praised for its powerful portrayal of African American women’s experiences and has contributed to discussions about race, gender, and historical memory.

Suggestion: Consider how Morrison uses magical realism and historical fiction to address the psychological and social impacts of slavery on African American women.

5. Developing Linguistic and Grammatical Skills While Studying English Literature

Studying English literature offers a unique opportunity to enhance your linguistic and grammatical skills. Here’s a detailed strategy to help you develop these skills effectively:

Active Reading

Read Widely and Actively: Engage with various texts, including novels, poems, plays, and essays from different periods and genres. Pay attention to the language, style, and structure used by different authors.

Example: While reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, note her use of irony and free indirect speech. Compare this with the stream-of-consciousness technique in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.

Suggestion: Keep a reading journal where you jot down interesting phrases, unfamiliar words, and notable grammatical structures.

Annotation and Analysis

Annotate Texts: Highlight key passages, underline complex sentences, and make notes in the margins. This helps you understand how language is used to convey meaning.

Example: In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, annotate the soliloquies to analyze the use of metaphors and rhetorical questions.

Suggestion: Use different colors for different types of annotations, such as vocabulary, grammar, and literary devices.

Grammar Exercises

Practice Grammar in Context: Instead of isolated grammar exercises, practice grammar through the texts you read. Identify and analyze grammatical structures within the context of the literature.

Example: Identify the use of passive voice in George Orwell’s 1984 and discuss its effect on the narrative.

Suggestion: Use grammar guides and online resources to clarify any doubts about specific grammatical rules.

Writing Practice

Write Regularly: Practice writing essays, summaries, and analyses of the texts you read. Focus on using correct grammar and varied sentence structures.

Suggestion: Peer review each other’s work to provide constructive feedback on grammar and style.

Vocabulary Building

Expand Your Vocabulary: Make a list of new words you encounter while reading and use them in your writing and speaking.

Example: Create flashcards for words like “obsequious” from Shakespeare or “ephemeral” from modern poetry.

Suggestion: Use vocabulary apps or tools like Anki to regularly review and practice new words.

Engage in Discussions

Participate in Literary Discussions: Join book clubs, online forums, or study groups to discuss the texts you read. This helps you articulate your thoughts and improves your spoken grammar.

Example: Discuss the themes of identity and alienation in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis with your peers.

Suggestion: Prepare discussion points and questions in advance to facilitate meaningful conversations.

Use Technology

Leverage Digital Tools: Use grammar checkers, language learning apps, and online resources to enhance your learning.

Example: Tools like Grammarly can help you identify and correct grammatical errors in your writing.

Suggestion: Explore language learning platforms like Duolingo or Babbel for additional grammar practice.

6. Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach in Literature

Integrating insights from fields like painting, music, philosophy, psychology, architecture, and sculpture can deepen your understanding of literature and enhance your analytical skills. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you develop an interdisciplinary approach:

Painting

Guideline: Analyze how visual art influences literary themes, symbols, and styles.

Example: Study the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood’s paintings alongside the poetry of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Examine how the visual aesthetics and themes of medievalism and romanticism in the paintings are reflected in Rossetti’s poetry.

Suggestion: Visit virtual exhibitions to observe artworks that correspond to the literary periods you are studying.

Music

Guideline: Explore the relationship between music and literature, focusing on rhythm, tone, and thematic parallels.

Example: Compare the structure and themes of T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land with Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Both works reflect the dissonance and fragmentation of the early 20th century.

Suggestion: Listen to musical compositions from the same period as the literature you are studying to understand the cultural and emotional context.

Philosophy

Guideline: Incorporate philosophical concepts and theories to deepen your literary analysis.

Example: Apply existentialist philosophy to the works of Franz Kafka, such as The Metamorphosis. Analyze how Kafka’s portrayal of alienation and absurdity reflects existentialist themes.

Suggestion: Read philosophical texts by thinkers like Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus to understand the philosophical underpinnings of literary works.

Psychology

Guideline: Use psychological theories to analyze characters’ motivations, behaviors, and development.

Example: Apply Freudian psychoanalysis to William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Explore Hamlet’s Oedipal complex and his internal conflicts through a psychological lens.

Suggestion: Study foundational texts in psychology, such as Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams or Jung’s Man and His Symbols, to gain insights into character analysis.

Architecture

Guideline: Examine how architectural styles and spaces influence literary settings and themes.

Example: Analyze the Gothic architecture in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Consider how the eerie, grandiose settings contribute to the novel’s themes of isolation and the sublime.

Suggestion: Explore architectural history and visit historical buildings to understand the spatial and aesthetic contexts of literary works.

Sculpture

Guideline: Investigate how sculpture and three-dimensional art forms are represented and symbolized in literature.

Example: Study the symbolism of Michelangelo’s sculptures in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Marble Faun. Analyze how the sculptures reflect the characters’ inner lives and moral dilemmas.

Suggestion: Visit virtual collections to observe sculptures and consider their thematic relevance to the literature you are studying.

Strategies for Interdisciplinary Study

Create Thematic Connections:

Identify common themes across different disciplines. For example, explore how the theme of “the sublime” is treated in Romantic poetry, Gothic architecture, and landscape painting.

Engage in Comparative Analysis:

Compare and contrast how different art forms address similar themes or concepts. For instance, compare the portrayal of madness in Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories and Vincent van Gogh’s paintings.

Participate in Interdisciplinary Discussions:

Join study groups or online forums that focus on interdisciplinary approaches. Discuss how different fields can inform and enrich your understanding of literature.

Attend Lectures and Workshops:

Participate in lectures, workshops, and seminars that focus on interdisciplinary studies. These events often provide new perspectives and methodologies for integrating different fields.