Introduction to literary interpretation - from theory to practice

Appropriate for introductory analysis of literary texts, the volume is conceived both as a critical work and a workbook for literary classes. Structured in four sections, the book combines theory with practice by providing a thorough analytical framework for a rich collection of literary terms. The first three chapters investigate narrative strategies (narration, description, dialogue, monologue or evocation), speech and thought presentation categories (from direct speech or indirect thought to internal narration) as well as selection of tropes (personification, metaphor, metonymy, simile, irony etc.) by offering a theoretical background and explanatory comments for a wide range of texts. The last section is particularly useful for in-depth interpretation of a variety of texts proposed for further study with specific tasks assigned in order to actively engage readers in the process of creative literary exploration.