How to Study a Novel Method There isn't a single formula or a secret recipe for the successful study of literature. But to do it seriously you should be a deep and attentive reader. This means reading, then re-reading. It means making an active engagement with the book. And it means making notes. Approach You can read the novel quickly first, just to get an idea of the story-line. Then you will need to read it again more slowly, making notes. If you don't have time, then one careful slower reading should combine understanding and note-taking Make notes Make two types of notes - some written in the book itself, and others on separate pages. Those in the book are for highlighting small details as you go along. Those on separate pages are for summaries of evidence, collections of your own observations, and page references for study topics or quotations. Notes in the book Use a soft pencil - not a pen. Ink is too distracting on the page. Don't underline whole paragraphs. If something strikes you as interesting, write a brief note saying why or how it is so. If you read on the bus or in the bath, use the inside covers and any blank pages for making notes.
Separate notes You will definitely remember the characters, events, and features of a novel more easily if you make notes whilst reading. Use separate pages for different topics. You might make a record of • • • • •
characters chronology of events major themes stylistic features narrative strategies
Characters Make a note of the name, age, appearance, and their relationship to other characters in the novel. Writers usually give most background information about characters when they are first introduced into the story. Make a note of the page(s) on which this occurs. Note any special features of main characters, what other characters (or the author) thinks of them. Chronology of events A summary of each chapter will help you reconstruct the whole story long after you have read it. The summary prompts the traces of reading experience which lie dormant in your memory. A chronology of events might also help you to unravel a complex story. It might help separate plots from sub-plots, and even help you to see any underlying structure in the story - what might be called the 'architecture of events'. Major themes These are the important underlying issues with which the novel is concerned. They are usually summarised as abstract concepts such as marriage, education, justice, freedom, and redemption. These might only emerge slowly as the novel progresses on first reading - though they might seem much more obvious on subsequent readings. Seeing the main underlying themes will help you to appreciate the relative importance of events. It will also help you to spot cross-references and appreciate some of the subtle effects orchestrated by the author. Stylistic features These are the decorative and literary hallmarks of the writer's style - which usually make an important contribution to the way the story is told. The style might be created by any number of features: • • • •
choice of vocabulary imagery and metaphors shifts in tone and register use of irony and humour
Quotations If you are writing an essay about the novel, you will need quotations from it to support your arguments. You must make a careful note of the pages on which they occur. Do this immediately whilst reading - otherwise tracking them down later will waste lots of time. Record page number and a brief description of the subject. Write out the quotation itself if it is short enough. Don't bother writing out long quotations.
Bibliography If you are reading literary criticism or background materials related to the novel - make a full bibliographic record of every source. In the case of books, you should record - Author, Book Title, Publisher, Place of publication, Date, Page number. Maps and diagrams Some people have good 'visual' memories. A diagram or map may help you to remember or conceptualise the 'geography' of events. Chapter summaries Many novels are structured in chapters. After reading each chapter, make a one sentence summary of what it's about. This can help you remember the events at a later date. The summary might be what 'happens' in an obvious sense (Mr X travels to London) but it might be something internal or psychological (Susan realises she is 'alone'). Deciding what is most important will help you to digest and remember the content of the novel. Making links Events or characters may have significant links between them, even though these are revealed many pages apart. Always make a note as soon as you see them - because they will be very hard to find later. Use a dictionary
Some novelists like to use unusual, obscure, or even foreign words. Take the trouble to look these up in a good dictionary. It will help you to understand the story and the author, and it will help to extend the range of your own vocabulary.
Looking at Plot, Characterisation and Narrative Style Reading a novel can be a daunting prospect; discussing it even more so. Here are some key elements to consider:
The Plot of a Novel In other words, the story - the events that happen in the book. Sometimes a novel may be allegorical, where the events that occur are simply representative of a wider idea - George Orwell's Animal Farm is a famous example.
Characters and Idiolect These are the people who feature in the novel. The way in which a writer brings their fictional creation to life is called characterisation, and the best writers will "show" what their character is like rather than simply "tell" the reader. For example, rather than tell us that a character is feeling angry, this could be shown through actions - slamming a door perhaps - or through dialogue with other characters. The way a character speaks is just as important as what they say. An individual's personal way of speaking is known as their idiolect, and a skilled writer will create a different voice for each person in the novel - you should be able to tell who is speaking just by the words they use. Mannerisms and gestures can also contribute to building up a picture of what someone is like: a character who shouts or speaks aggressively may well be someone to be feared!
First or Third Person Narrator The narrator is the person who tells the story - not to be confused with the author themselves. A first person narrator is someone involved in the story, and will be recognisable from the use of the first person pronoun "I". This type of narrator can bring a more personal feel to the novel, and allows us to experience the
narrator's inner thoughts and feelings, but disadvantages include the possibility of a biased view. Also, a first person narrator will not know the whole story as they can only narrate first hand the events they themselves experience. A third person narrator is a voice from somewhere outside the story, who describes events and characters using the pronouns "he", "she", "it" and so on. This can make for a more balanced novel, as this type of narrator will often be less biased and can give an overview of everything that happens, but can lead to a more impersonal novel. Second person narrative in a novel is rare as it is difficult to sustain - this is where the narrator speaks directly to the reader using "you".
Chronological or Flashback? Many novels have a chronological or linear structure, where the events are presented in the same order as they occurred, starting at the beginning and working through to a logical conclusion. Other novelists may choose to begin at the end of the story, showing the reader a dramatic event from near the plot's conclusion and then going back and filling in the blanks. An increasingly popular structure is that of the dual-time narrative, where a present day story runs alongside a parallel story from the past. This is a particularly useful structure for historical novelists like Kate Mosse and Emma Darwin, as an event from an earlier period can be brought to life linking it with something or someone more contemporary. Writing a review for a novel A good novel review offers a plot overview, comments on style and genre, provides an opinion on strengths and weaknesses of the book and gives a recommendation.