{"id":316,"date":"2016-10-25T14:59:03","date_gmt":"2016-10-25T14:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/ivytech-engl206-master\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=316"},"modified":"2016-11-08T17:14:33","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T17:14:33","slug":"how-to-analyze-a-novel","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/chapter\/how-to-analyze-a-novel\/","title":{"raw":"How to Analyze a Novel","rendered":"How to Analyze a Novel"},"content":{"raw":"<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Setting<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Setting<\/i> is a description of where and when the story takes place.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What aspects make up the setting?<\/span>\r\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Geography, weather, time of day, social conditions?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What role does setting play in the story? Is it an important part of the plot or theme? Or is it just a backdrop against which the action takes place?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Study the time period which is also part of the setting<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">When was the story written?<\/span>\r\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Does it take place in the present, the past, or the future?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How does the time period affect the language, atmosphere or social circumstances of the novel?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Characterization<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Characterization<\/i> deals with how the characters are described.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">through dialogue?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">by the way they speak?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">physical appearance? thoughts and feelings?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">interaction - the way they act towards other characters?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are they static characters who do not change?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Do they develop by the end of the story?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What type of characters are they?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What qualities stand out?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are they stereotypes?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are the characters believable?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Plot and structure<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The <i>plot<\/i> is the main sequence of events that make up the story.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What are the most important events?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move back and forth?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are there turning points, a climax and\/or an anticlimax?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the plot believable?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Narrator and Point of view<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The <i>narrator<\/i> is the person telling the story.\r\n<i>Point of view<\/i>: whose eyes the story is being told through.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Who is the narrator or speaker in the story?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the narrator the main character?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Does the author speak through one of the characters?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the story written in the first person \u201cI\u201d point of view?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the story written in a detached third person \u201che\/she\u201d point of view?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the story written in an \u201call-knowing\u201d 3rd person who can reveal what all the characters are thinking and doing at all times and in all places?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Conflict<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Conflict<\/i> or tension is usually the heart of the novel and is related to the main character.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How would you describe the main conflict?<\/span>\r\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is it internal where the character suffers inwardly?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">is it external caused by the surroundings or environment the main character finds himself\/herself in?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Theme<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The <i>theme<\/i> is the main idea, lesson or message in the novel. It is usually an abstract, universal idea about the human condition, society or life, to name a few.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How does the theme shine through in the story?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are any elements repeated that may suggest a theme?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What other themes are there?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Style<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The author\u2019s style has to do with the author\u2019s vocabulary, use of imagery, tone or feeling of the story. It has to do with his attitude towards the subject. In some novels the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold or dramatic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the text full of figurative language?<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Does the author use a lot of symbolism? Metaphors, similes?\r\nAn example of a metaphor is when someone says, \"My love, you <i>are<\/i> a rose\". An example of a simile is \"My darling, you are <i>like<\/i> a rose.\"<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What images are used?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\r\nYour literary analysis of a novel will often be in the form of an essay or book report where you will be asked to give your opinions of the novel at the end. To conclude, choose the elements that made the greatest impression on you. Point out which characters you liked best or least and always support your arguments. Try to view the novel as a whole and try to give a balanced analysis.<\/span><\/p>","rendered":"<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Setting<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Setting<\/i> is a description of where and when the story takes place.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What aspects make up the setting?<\/span>\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Geography, weather, time of day, social conditions?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What role does setting play in the story? Is it an important part of the plot or theme? Or is it just a backdrop against which the action takes place?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Study the time period which is also part of the setting<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">When was the story written?<\/span>\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Does it take place in the present, the past, or the future?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How does the time period affect the language, atmosphere or social circumstances of the novel?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Characterization<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Characterization<\/i> deals with how the characters are described.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">through dialogue?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">by the way they speak?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">physical appearance? thoughts and feelings?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">interaction &#8211; the way they act towards other characters?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are they static characters who do not change?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Do they develop by the end of the story?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What type of characters are they?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What qualities stand out?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are they stereotypes?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are the characters believable?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Plot and structure<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The <i>plot<\/i> is the main sequence of events that make up the story.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What are the most important events?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move back and forth?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are there turning points, a climax and\/or an anticlimax?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the plot believable?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Narrator and Point of view<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The <i>narrator<\/i> is the person telling the story.<br \/>\n<i>Point of view<\/i>: whose eyes the story is being told through.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Who is the narrator or speaker in the story?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the narrator the main character?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Does the author speak through one of the characters?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the story written in the first person \u201cI\u201d point of view?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the story written in a detached third person \u201che\/she\u201d point of view?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the story written in an \u201call-knowing\u201d 3rd person who can reveal what all the characters are thinking and doing at all times and in all places?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Conflict<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>Conflict<\/i> or tension is usually the heart of the novel and is related to the main character.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How would you describe the main conflict?<\/span>\n<ul class=\"ul2\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is it internal where the character suffers inwardly?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">is it external caused by the surroundings or environment the main character finds himself\/herself in?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Theme<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The <i>theme<\/i> is the main idea, lesson or message in the novel. It is usually an abstract, universal idea about the human condition, society or life, to name a few.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">How does the theme shine through in the story?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Are any elements repeated that may suggest a theme?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What other themes are there?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Style<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The author\u2019s style has to do with the author\u2019s vocabulary, use of imagery, tone or feeling of the story. It has to do with his attitude towards the subject. In some novels the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold or dramatic.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Is the text full of figurative language?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">Does the author use a lot of symbolism? Metaphors, similes?<br \/>\nAn example of a metaphor is when someone says, &#8220;My love, you <i>are<\/i> a rose&#8221;. An example of a simile is &#8220;My darling, you are <i>like<\/i> a rose.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><span class=\"s1\">What images are used?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><br \/>\nYour literary analysis of a novel will often be in the form of an essay or book report where you will be asked to give your opinions of the novel at the end. To conclude, choose the elements that made the greatest impression on you. Point out which characters you liked best or least and always support your arguments. Try to view the novel as a whole and try to give a balanced analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-316\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>How to Analyze a Novel. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Carol Dwankowski, Celia Suzanna Sandor, and Catharine Ruud. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: NDLA. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/ndla.no\/en\/node\/13288?fag=42\">http:\/\/ndla.no\/en\/node\/13288?fag=42<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":19,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"How to Analyze a Novel\",\"author\":\"Carol Dwankowski, Celia Suzanna Sandor, and Catharine Ruud\",\"organization\":\"NDLA\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/ndla.no\/en\/node\/13288?fag=42\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-316","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":243,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":317,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/316\/revisions\/317"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/243"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/316\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=316"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=316"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-jeffersoncc-introliterature\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}