SIFT A Literary Analysis Method

SIFT Method Symbol: examine the text and title for symbolism Images: identify images and sensory details Figures of Speech: analyze figurative language and other devices Tone and Theme: discuss how all devices reveal tone and theme

Symbols: Signs of Something More Our everyday lives are heaped with symbols: These commonly accepted symbols are called public symbols

Symbols in Literature Writers create new, personal symbols in their work. In literature, a symbol is an object, a setting, an event, an animal, or even a person that functions in the story the way you would expect it to, but also stands for something more than itself, usually for something abstract.

Moby Dick The white whale in Moby Dick is a very real white whale in the novel, and Captain Ahab spends the whole book chasing it. BUT- certain passages let the readers know that the whale is ASSOCIATED with the mystery of evil in the world. Symbols work by ASSOCIATION!

What it is not… A sign with just one meaning: the picture of a cigarette in a circle with a line drawn through it is a sign meaning precisely and specifically, “No Smoking” The white whale does not mean, precisely and specifically, “the mystery of evil” Associations suggested by the writer, made by the characters in the story, and ultimately made by the reader evoke images of evil, suggests aspects of the darker side of life, and hint at possible ways of seeing and thinking about events portrayed.

Is it a symbol? Guidelines to follow… Symbols are often visual. When some event or object or setting is used as a symbol in the story, you will usually find that the writer has given it a great deal of emphasis. Often it reappears throughout the story. A symbol in literature is a form of figurative language. Like a metaphor, a symbol is something that is identified with something else that is very different from it, but that shares some quality. A symbol usually has something to do with a story’s theme.

(SIFT) Images Identify images and sensory details. Imagery helps to promote mood and tone. What do I see, hear, taste, smell or feel? What effect is the author trying to convey with these images? Writers use language to create sensory impressions and to create specific responses to characters, events, object, or situations in their works. The writer “shows” rather than “tells”

Tone & Mood Tone: The attitude that an AUTHOR takes toward the audience, the subject, or the character. Tone is conveyed through the author’s words and details. angry-challenging-sarcastic-outraged-humorous Mood: The emotions that the READER feels while reading; the atmosphere of the story. Mood is conveyed through character emotions, setting and other elements. romantic-gloomy-optimistic-sad-hopeful

(SIFT) Figures of Speech Analyze figurative language and other devices. Writers form images by using figures of speech such as simile, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification. Other devices can include: irony, allusion

Purpose of Figures of Speech Authors use literary devices or figures of speech for a number of reasons: To add to theme or mood To make situations more relatable To add depth and clarification To add to imagery Just for fun

(SIFT) Theme and Tone Theme: central, underlying, and controlling idea of a literary work. Abstract concept represented by a character, by actions, or by images in the literary work. A generalization about human conduct. Ordinarily expressed in a full sentence and it may even require a full paragraph.

Theme= What it is NOT Cannot be expressed in a single word. Not the purpose of the work (entertainment or instruction) Man versus nature is not a theme, it is a conflict. Unlike a fable, the theme is seldom, if ever, stated. It is never a cliché (true love conquers all)

How Do I Figure Out the Theme? You must first understand the plot, the characterization and conflict, the imagery, and the author’s tone. Identify the subject in one word… Then, explain in one or two sentences what the author says about the subject. NOTE: Many stories/novels have more than one theme and there is seldom just one “right” answer!

For Example… Literature: To Kill A Mockingbird Subject: Racism Possible Theme: Justice is often withheld from economically deprived racial minorities.

Tone and Theme Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject (the beginnings of theme) Tone is revealed through the words he or she chooses. (Diction) In literature, the reader does not have the benefit of voice inflection- even a dog understands the tone of his master’s voice! So, the reader must understand the author’s word choice, details, imagery and language in order to understand the tone.

More on tone… To misinterpret tone is to misinterpret meaning (THEME) If you miss irony or sarcasm, for example, you may misread the meaning of an entire passage!

How to analyze tone: Diction: the connotation of word choice Images: Imagery that appeals to the senses Details: Facts and details that the author has included (does not appeal to the senses) Language: Formal? Cliché? Jargon? Figurative Language? Sentence Structure: Long or short sentences?

When Analyzing Literature… It is important to SIFT through the parts in order to understand the whole! If you can master this, you will win at life!