Thematic Analysis What thought, opinion, or belief does the author seem to be expressing through the use of patterns and literary devices? “Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion” What does Connell reveal in terms of who is eating together, or refusing to eat together? What adjectives would you use to describe the meal and why? What does this meal tell you abut the relationship? “Geography Matters …” What does it mean to the narrative that this story takes place in the middle of the ocean, on an island? Where do the major scenes take place, and how do those places track with the main ideas? How does the setting reveal the characters and conflict? Literary devices: What are the conflicts and what is revealed? What pattern is underscored by irony? How does a character change and what drives it? How does P.O.V. affect it? QUIZ ON THIS TOMORROW!

Thematic Analysis Now… taking your notes from the annotation guide, and your understanding of the story, analyze how these various patterns not only reveal a theme, but comment on that theme. Express your opinion by outlining how you would write an essay pulling it all together. Typically, your thesis expresses what theme you think should be highlighted and what effect you think the author is trying to create thematically, and then each of your arguments is identifying a pattern that supports that idea. Each argument is supported by evidence and explanation that identifies that specific pattern. What thought, opinion, or belief does the author seem to be expressing through the use of patterns and literary devices? QUIZ ON THIS TOMORROW!

Thematic Analysis What thought, opinion, or belief does the author seem to be expressing through the use of patterns and literary devices? For example: Thesis: Connell blurs the line between hunter and prey, human and animal, to suggest that instinct and reason are not as mutually exclusive as people have traditionally thought. I.Rainsford’s evolving view of hunter and prey A.Conversation with Whitney 1.Whitney: Jaguars fear pain & death (6) (like humans might) 2.Rainsford: Disagrees (6) (hunters are different from huntees) B.Conversation with Zaroff during meal 1.Rainsford: No animal can reason (13) (confused by Zaroff’s ‘new animal’) 2.Zaroff: One can (13) (Reveals his belief that humans are just another animal, to be hunted) 3.Rainsford expresses shock and disapproval (13) (reveals that his views have still not changed) C.Conversation with Zaroff at the very end. 1.… 2.… II.Connell’s juxtaposition of the wild surroundings suggesting the savagery of animals and the sophistication of humans represented by structures A.Yacht vs.. Ocean B.Island vs.. Chateau C.Traps vs.. bedroom Now that I’ve started this outline with you, you complete it.