Monday, February 4, 2013

Lit. Analysis Spring Semester #1

Inheritance (Not on the AP Reading List.  A book that I read in the time being so why not.)

GENERAL 
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
The novel begins where the last one left off (4th book in the series).  Eragon was in the middle of taking capturing a city in the name of the Varden.  They continue to capture 3 more cities and head towards the final battle at Uru'baen.  Eragon feels he needs more strength so he flies on Saphira (his dragon) to the isle of Vroengard, where he finds ******** and ****** **** (major pieces of plot I am not willing to give away.  READ THE BOOK.  One of these items gives Eragon the strength needed to fight Galbatorix.  Battle ensues and Galbatorix is defeated.
I feel like this novel successfully fulfilled the author's purpose by finishing the Eragon series.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
Being able to adjust strategies based upon meditated evaluation.


3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
Endurance is the tone of this novel:
1) Pg. 714 "Submit!" shouted Galbatorix, and his mind bore down on Eragon with even greater force as splinters of ice and fire lanced through him from every direction."

2)Pg. 695 "Behind Barst lay the bodies of the Kull and the elves he had been fighting.  All of Roran's warriors seemed to have disappeared..."

3)Pg. 627   "A spear flew past him, close enough that he felt the wind on his cheek.  He swore and kept climbing."

4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
1)Diction
Pg.129 Contempt
2)Syntax
Pg. 455 The skin on his knuckles was smooth and whole again, and he appeared sober, if grim and close mouthed
3)Allusion
Pg. 1 For The Varden!  (Expects reader to know who or what the Varden is)
4)Character
Pg. 1 The Dragon Saphira roared, and the soldiers before her quailed
5) Dialogue
Pg. 133 "Do you want to stay here while we continue on?"
6)Figurative Language
Pg. 93  Arya prepared her sword, then they faced each other, some thirty feet apart.  Feeling confident, Eragon advanced swiftly, already knowing where he was going to strike: at her left shoulder.
7)Narrator
Pg.325  Eragon smiled to himself, proud of Saphira.  When it came to spreading chaos and destruction, dragons were without equal.
8)Protagonist
Eragon
9)Antagonist
Galbatroix
10)Conflict
Any battles that happen in the length of the book

CHARACTERIZATION 
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
I feel like all the characterization in the novel was through either Roran's or Eragon's eyes.  This being so, all the characterization in the novel was indirect.
1) Pg. 2  "The elf Arya accompanied Saphira.  Her long black hair billowed wildly around her angular face as she sprang off the pile of rubble."

2)Pg. 8  "Eragon spared a glance for the elf.  Gore matted the fur on his chin and neck, darkening its shade from the shaft embedded within."

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
When the author changes from character to character (Roran and Eragon), the syntax and diction does not change.  I feel this is because the two are cousins and are not that different from each other.

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.
Dynamic and round.  Eragon changes a lot, just in this novel and the whole series.  From simple farm boy to war hero dragon rider.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
Nope.  Never will come away from a book of any sort feeling like I met the guy.

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