Questions: Assignment. Write a 750-1250 word essay doing a literary analysis explaining the significance of a single passage, scene, or episode in relation to the whole of one of the works of literature (or excerpts) from the course. Talk about the whole work, but focus on the one passage, scene, or episode to get at that. Please do not depend on outside resources except a dictionary and perhaps the Bible. This should be your own close reading of the work of literature. Explanation. One of the foundational skills in reading literature is reading a text closely and drawing meaning from that reading. For this reason, this essay will allow you to engage deeply with a particular text. A close reading of a text "unfolds" the text, explains in detail how the work communicates to the reader. Such a reading will require you to understand all aspects of the work and to have a grasp of the meaning of individual parts of the work in relation to the entire work. You are not, however, striving to be exhaustive in your "explanation," but rather you should strive to be selective in considering only those details that are significant to your own thematic understanding of the piece of literature.

To write a literary analysis essay focusing on a single passage, scene, or episode in relation to the whole work, you should follow these steps:

1. Select a Passage, Scene, or Episode: Choose a part of the work that you find particularly significant. This could be a turning point in the plot, a moment of character development, or a scene that encapsulates the themes of the work.

2. Contextualize the Passage: Begin by providing some context for the passage within the larger work. Explain where it occurs in the narrative and its immediate significance.

3. Close Reading: Analyze the passage in detail. Pay attention to language, imagery, symbolism, and any literary devices used by the author. Consider how these elements contribute to the meaning of the passage.

4. Connect to the Whole Work: Discuss how the passage relates to the themes, characters, and plot of the entire work. Consider how it reflects or contrasts with other parts of the text.

5. Thematic Understanding: Articulate your own interpretation of the passage and its significance. Explain how it enhances your understanding of the work as a whole.

6. Conclusion: Summarize your analysis and restate the importance of the passage in understanding the entire work.

Introduction: Introduce the work and the passage you will analyze. Briefly state why this passage is significant.

Body Paragraphs:

• Context: Describe the setting and situation of the passage within the work.
• Analysis: Perform a close reading of the passage. Discuss language, tone, and literary devices.
• Connection: Relate the passage to the broader themes and structure of the work. Discuss character development and plot implications.

Conclusion: Summarize your findings and restate the passage's significance in understanding the work as a whole.

By following these steps, you can create a coherent and insightful literary analysis that highlights the importance of a specific passage within a larger work.