Can the characters, events, or objects in the work be seen as standing for abstract ideas? What ideas? Can the characters, events, or objects in the work be seen as representing political points of view?

Interpreting literary art

Overall Interpretive methods

1. Can the characters, events, or objects in the work be seen as standing for abstract ideas? What ideas?
2. Can the characters, events, or objects in the work be seen as representing political points of view?
3. Can the characters, events, or objects be seen as representing frequently occurring people or things?
4. Can the characters or events in the story be seen as representing different aspects of a single person?
5. Can the struggle of the main character be seen as a struggle that all humans (or Americans) face

Additional Interpretive tools

A. Can you find any symbols (things that are frequently used to represent something else)?
B. Are there analogies (metaphors or similes)? If so what are they trying to tell us?
C. Are there allusions to other times, places, or things? If so, why are they made?