When you read a novel or story in English, what do you remember most? For the majority of learners of English, it is likely to be the main events or actions of the story. However, by focusing on what happens, you can often miss a lot about how it happens.
In this extract from The Reading Group, Gillian Lazar talks about the importance of recognising the atmosphere, attitudes and deeper meanings which writers try to create.
Before you read the extract Think about a novel or story you have read recently and which you enjoyed. How would you describe the story to a friend? Try to avoid talking about the actions or events of the story. Instead, try to explain what it was which made you enjoy reading it.
When we read a novel, we start with the facts.Who are the characters? Where do they live? What do they do? However, once we know the answers to these questions, we also start to ask questions about the deeper meanings of the story. How are the lives of the characters affected by the events of the story? What do certain things symbolise? Asking these questions can help us to interpret the story. Another aid to this interpretation is to look for groups of words which recur throughout the novel or story. For example, in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the writer describes a bright, glamorous world, but uses words such as ‘dust’, ‘ash’ and ‘smoke’ repeatedly to show that this world is, in fact, a world of moral decay.Try to be aware of any groups of words which recur throughout the chapters of a novel. Ask yourself ‘Do these words contrast with other groups of words in the text? Do the words have any symbolic significance which can help me to understand the writer’s message?’
In this extract from The Reading Group, Gillian Lazar talks about the importance of recognising the atmosphere, attitudes and deeper meanings which writers try to create.
Before you read the extract Think about a novel or story you have read recently and which you enjoyed. How would you describe the story to a friend? Try to avoid talking about the actions or events of the story. Instead, try to explain what it was which made you enjoy reading it.
When we read a novel, we start with the facts.Who are the characters? Where do they live? What do they do? However, once we know the answers to these questions, we also start to ask questions about the deeper meanings of the story. How are the lives of the characters affected by the events of the story? What do certain things symbolise? Asking these questions can help us to interpret the story. Another aid to this interpretation is to look for groups of words which recur throughout the novel or story. For example, in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the writer describes a bright, glamorous world, but uses words such as ‘dust’, ‘ash’ and ‘smoke’ repeatedly to show that this world is, in fact, a world of moral decay.Try to be aware of any groups of words which recur throughout the chapters of a novel. Ask yourself ‘Do these words contrast with other groups of words in the text? Do the words have any symbolic significance which can help me to understand the writer’s message?’
- Gillian gives two pieces of general advice to help readers understand the deeper meanings in a story or novel.What are they?
- In The Great Gatsby what does the repetition of the words ‘dust’, ‘ash’ and ‘smoke’ symbolise?
Answer
- Gillian advises readers to ask themselves questions about the characters and their actions. She also recommends looking for groups of words which appear regularly throughout the novel because they can be used to symbolise deeper thoughts and ideas.
- ‘Dust’, ‘ash’ and ‘smoke’ contrast with the brightness of the world Fitzgerald writes about. He uses these words to show that, at its centre, this world is corrupt.
So, how can you teach yourself to recognise the underlying meanings in stories and novels? Here are some ideas to help you.
Read the story or novel more than once The first reading will let you understand the surface of the story. It will help you answer questions such as ‘Who is this character?’ and ‘What happened next?’ A second reading will let you focus on any deeper meanings, such as ‘Why do the characters react in this way to each other?’
Make a note of recurring groups of words Gillian’s example shows how groups of words which seem to contrast with the main descriptions in the story can show the way to deeper meanings hidden in the text.Try to be aware of words which recur in descriptions, particularly if they seem in contrast with the text in general.
Discuss the story with a friend This is one of the best ways to explore the deeper meanings contained in a story or novel.When different readers notice different things, you can begin to explore what might be hidden under the surface of the story.
TASK
Go back to a novel or story which you have already read. Before you re-read it, ask yourself these questions.
What do I remember about the story? How did it make me feel?
Which characters were most interesting?
What did I think of the writer when I read the book the first time?
What would I like to know about the story after a second reading?
These questions will help you to prepare yourself to re-read the book and be more aware of the atmosphere, attitudes and underlying meanings.As you read, follow Gillian’s advice (above).When you have finished reading, ask yourself ‘What do I know or understand better now?’
Read the story or novel more than once The first reading will let you understand the surface of the story. It will help you answer questions such as ‘Who is this character?’ and ‘What happened next?’ A second reading will let you focus on any deeper meanings, such as ‘Why do the characters react in this way to each other?’
Make a note of recurring groups of words Gillian’s example shows how groups of words which seem to contrast with the main descriptions in the story can show the way to deeper meanings hidden in the text.Try to be aware of words which recur in descriptions, particularly if they seem in contrast with the text in general.
Discuss the story with a friend This is one of the best ways to explore the deeper meanings contained in a story or novel.When different readers notice different things, you can begin to explore what might be hidden under the surface of the story.
TASK
Go back to a novel or story which you have already read. Before you re-read it, ask yourself these questions.
What do I remember about the story? How did it make me feel?
Which characters were most interesting?
What did I think of the writer when I read the book the first time?
What would I like to know about the story after a second reading?
These questions will help you to prepare yourself to re-read the book and be more aware of the atmosphere, attitudes and underlying meanings.As you read, follow Gillian’s advice (above).When you have finished reading, ask yourself ‘What do I know or understand better now?’
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