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Analyzing the Author's Style

  • Point of view: 1) Does the author speak in his own voice or does he present the events from the point of view of one of the characters? 2) Has the narrator access to the thoughts and feelings of all the characters or just one? 3) Does the narrator sympathise with any of the characters or remain aloof and detached? Is the attitude explicit or implicit? 4) Can we trust the narrator's judgement?

  • Tone: In what vein does the narrator tell the story? Is it calm and tranquil or is it charged with tension and emotions? 2) What note does the initial paragraph of the story strike? On what note does the story end? 3) How does the word choice and syntax contribute to the atmo­sphere? 4) What images (cluster of images) impart the story a cheerful, melancholy, angry, humorous or sarcastic tone?

  • Plot: 1) How does the story unfold? What are the bare facts of the story? 2) Which episodes have been given the greatest empha­sis? 3) Does the end follow logically from the rest of the story or is it a surprise?

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    1. Setting: 1) Are there many descriptive passages or is the setting only hinted at? Is it geographical, historical, cultural or exclusively local-co­lour context? 2) Are there any significant repetitions of details (actions, words, thoughts)? 3) How does the setting help to understand the char­acters and themes?

    2. Character: 1) What are the characters' names and what do they look like? Does this have any significance? 2) Are the characters presented directly or indirectly through action and speech? 3) With what main problem is the protagonist faced? Is it a conflict with another individual (with society, within himself)? 4) Does the protagonist achieve greater self-knowledge and awareness as a result of his or her experience?

    3. Theme: 1) Does the story contain one or several themes? What central idea is the author trying to bring into focus? 2) What does the title indicate about the theme of the story? 3) Are there any evident symbols? If so, do they direct us to the story's central theme? 4) What moral inference may be drawn from the story? What truth or insight does it reveal? 5) Try to sum up into a sentence the story's embedded meaning. 6) What is your personal response to the story and the au­thor's style?

    4. W. S.

    5. By L.P. Hartley

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