Charlotte’s Web Analysis:
Paper details:
Write a 4 page literary analysis interpreting Charlotte’a Web. This essay will focus on close reading, but while the act of close reading implies opening up many avenues of interpretation, make sure that you also give a clear thesis related to the meaning of the text. See the close reading worksheet for more detailed guidance. This essay should be in proper MLA format.
USE BOOK AS SOURCE
Write about A Theme that appeared in the book For instance, the theme of growing up appears in a number of texts. The next step is to figure out what the author is saying about that theme.
Crafting a Thesis:
Your thesis will sum up your argument and serve as a roadmap for your essay. Use the following questions to check if your thesis is on the right track:
• Is your thesis is too vague?
• Is it too obvious?
• Is summary driving your paper?
Close Reading Fiction:
Here are some questions that can help you dive into the fiction.
Plot:
• Is the plot of the story more realistic or surrealistic?
• Where does the action happen? Is it internal, external, both? Do internal and external action coincide or conflict?
• What is the climax of the story?
• Does the writer rely on symbolism in this story?
Character:
• Who are the major characters in the story? Are any places, animals, or things given enough characterization to become a character?
• Consider psychological, ethical/moral, or social implications of the characterization and character behavior.
• What type of conflict do the characters encounter?
• Who is the protagonist? Does the writer use foils to emphasize particular traits of the protagonist?
Difficulty:
• What parts of the story are tricky or difficult? What words do you need to look up? What might these passages mean?
• What context might you need to make sense of the story?
Title:
• Is the title significant to the meaning of the story?
Point of View, Language, and Setting:
• Who is the narrator? What type of narration is used (e.g., first person, third person limited…)? Can we trust the narrator?
• What is the setting of the story? How does the setting influence the meaning?
• What type of tone does the narrator use in the story?
• What type of language does the narrator use in this story? What is the impact of the language?