Reading Between the Lines How to explore a narrative

Did You Know? Short stories, also known as narratives, are the oldest kind of tale that people enjoy. Stories have been shared since long before written language was even invented. Greek and Roman mythologies are simply compilations of little stories about the intertwined lives of mortals and gods. It was not until the 1800’s, however, that people started writing short stories as a formalized, defined type of prose fiction. Poems, novels and plays were popular long before the short story was accepted as a distinct form. Before that time, short stories were simply considered to be undeveloped and unfinished novels. Today, however, short stories hold an important place in most literature curriculum.

Today, reading short stories together is a common family practice that is both entertaining and meaningful for children and adults. In many ways, short stories are more similar to poems than they are to novels. Like poetry, short stories are designed to be concise. Therefore, in both poems and short stories, each word carries great importance. Because short story writers have limited space in which to establish a story line or to develop their characters, they often use recurring patterns to do that work for them. Important images or repeated words can underscore a central theme or point in a story. What this means to readers is that they often must read a short story more than once to get at the deeper meanings within the narrative.

As you are rereading the short story, it is important that you make a deliberate point of gathering the following information: ◦ Determine who is telling the story.  (NARRATOR) (POINT OF VIEW) ◦ Note where and when events take place, and monitor changes in location carefully.  (SETTING) (TIME AND PLACE) ◦ Begin immediately to keep a chronological list of concrete events as they occur.  (PLOT SUMMARY) (IMPORTANT EVENTS)

◦ Identify the main character as soon as possible. Pay special attention to every detail concerning this person, such as age and personal habits ◦ Note the names of new characters as they are introduced. What role in the story does each play? How do relationships between them develop? ◦ Watch the main character to see what goals are pursued. What are the obstacles to these goals?  (CONFLICT)

◦ Having read the story methodically as outlined above, you are at a great advantage when you begin to “read between the lines”, interpreting and making important judgments about the story and the characters.  (TEXTUAL ANALYSIS) (THEME)