III. Some Helpful Questions for Further Text Analysis
a. BACKGROUND
Where and when does most of the action take place?
To what extent are the buildings, dress, habits, and language markedly different from what you are familiar with?
How much does the background influence the actions or personality of any of the main characters?
Does the author seem to be thoroughly familiar with his setting? If it required research, do you think he did enough?
Do the scenes ring true?
How well does the background create moods?
b. PLOT
If both are present, how well are the main story line and the subplots interwoven?
Is it possible that the events could take place in real life?
What is the turning point of the action?
Do the incidents follow one another naturally, or do they seem to have been mechanically inserted by the author?
How well does the author create suspense, if any?
How many loose ends are left at the end of the story?
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What devices used by the author seem to indicate that he depended too much on chance to carry his story forward?
c. CHARACTERS
Who are the main characters? Are they like real people? Of whom do they remind you? Friends? Family? Prominent people? Movie or television stars?
Which are the most interesting? Why? Which remind you of yourself? How?
Do some of the characters seem to develop and change as the story progresses, or do they all remain about the same from beginning to end?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the central characters? What incidents can you cite to support your conclusions?
To what extent does the personality of any character determine his or her success or failure?
What character did you like most and which did you dislike? With which ones did it make a difference to you whether they were happy or sad? Why?
Which ones helped you to understand people you know a little better, than before?
What minor characters are interesting? How would you describe one or two in a single sentence?
If you were the author, would you develop one or more of the characters differently? How?
How well does the author seem to know people and what “makes them tick”?
d. THEME
What do you suppose was the main reason for the author's telling this story? To amuse? Entertain? Preach? Convert? Criticize? Present a social problem?
What is he trying to prove, or what life experience is he trying to explain?
What is the main point of the story expressed in a single sentence?
Is there a problem in the story, how well does the author solve it? Does he suggest a solution?
How has the book influenced your own thinking? What new ideas have you come across?
To what extent has this story stimulated you to read others on the same theme?
If you were designing a book jacket, what illustration or symbol would you draw to point to the main idea?
e. STYLE
How well does the author present his scenes? Does he make you feel as if you were an eyewitness?
How do the sentences run — long, involved, sharp, varied?
What difficulties did you have with the vocabulary?
How well are the emotions portrayed? What devices are used to do this? Were you moved to tears or laughter anywhere? Why?
Did you get angry with any of the characters? When?
How do the characters talk — the same as people like them would in real life, or do they seem to be talking out of the mouth of the author?
Does the author seem to invent phrases or have you heard many before? Give examples.
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