The creature, figuring out what to write about for his class blog post.

This assignment, due Thursday evening (2/23) requires that you first read up to page 63 in the novel (through chapter 5). Also make sure to read the two short introductions beginning on page 5 in our edition: they tell the famous story of the novel’s composition, and we’ll come back to these in class next Monday.

As we’ve read so far, we’ve focused on noticing aspects of form and content featured in poems and other texts and then sharing those observations. This time, we’re going to think about how to turn those observations into analysis. Another way to put it might be that, instead of just noticing things in the text, we’re going to start working on interpreting those observations. Interpretation means offering what you think is the most convincing way of answering questions that your observations about the text raise. It may be tempting to think of interpretation as just arbitrary (just one interpretation among many), and it’s true that the texts we’re reading for this class are open to many possible interpretations. However, when you offer your analysis of a particular passage, you’re trying to show, with evidence, that your analysis is not only sound (based on clues that the text itself gives rather than just your own assumptions or preconceived ideas) but also compelling (able to persuade your reader that other possible interpretations aren’t as capable of taking all of that evidence into account). Analysis is not just a paraphrase or summary of the passage but instead goes further than a superficial reading, inferring from details to produce a deeper account.

You should start by choosing a passage (of no more than a page) from the reading for this week that is interesting to you, one that raises questions or that you initially find puzzling. This time, your post should (in around 500 words) provide an analysis of that passage, one that offers your most compelling interpretation. Your post will have three steps: 1) Make sure to begin by letting your reader know which passage you’ll be analyzing by citing the passage and briefly summarizing. 2) Then, tell us briefly what important question or questions that passage raises for you. 3) Finally, give us your analysis of the passage: your best answer to that question, backed up with evidence that you’ve observed. The title of your post should preview this analysis in some way.

Don’t be afraid to takes risks in your analysis! Bold interpretations will be rewarded, and this is a good opportunity to try out your analytical skills before you work on a more formal essay in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions, let me know. And make sure to read through page 149 before class next Monday (2/27).