The A.U AP English Literature Study Guide is a comprehensive and dynamic resource that provides students with the tools they need to master the skills and concepts necessary to succeed in the challenging AP English Literature exam. With its engaging content and expertly curated resources, this guid...
1. Understand the literary devices and terms commonly used in literature, such as
metaphor, symbolism, and allusion.
Understanding literary devices and common terms are essential for analyzing and
interpreting a text. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is
applied to an object or action to which it is not applicable. Symbolism is the use of
symbols to represent ideas or qualities. The allusion is a reference to a well-
known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art.
An example of a literary metaphor is "All the world's a stage" from Shakespeare's
"As You Like It." In this case, the metaphor compares the world to a stage,
suggesting that life is like a performance.
An example of literary symbolism is the use of a white whale in Herman Melville's
"Moby-Dick." The white whale symbolizes the obsession and destructive nature of
Captain Ahab's quest for revenge.
An example of allusion in literature is the reference to "the green light" in F. Scott
Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." The green light represents Gatsby's longing for
his lost love, Daisy, and alludes to the "green light" in the final lines of T.S. Eliot's
"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
Another example of Allusion is "The Garden of Eden" in John Milton's "Paradise
Lost" In this case, The Garden of Eden alludes to the biblical story of the creation
of man and the first sin.
, In conclusion, understanding literary devices and terms are essential for
interpreting literature, and examples of these devices include metaphor,
symbolism, and allusion. They are used to add depth and meaning to a text,
making it more interesting and engaging for the reader.
2. Practice close reading and analysis of texts to understand the author's purpose
and meaning.
Close reading and analysis of texts is the process of carefully examining a text to
understand its meaning. This includes analyzing the author's use of literary
devices, the structure of the text, and the characters and themes presented.
Understanding the author's purpose and meaning allows readers to gain a deeper
understanding of the text and the ideas it presents.
Close reading and analysis of texts is an essential step in understanding literature.
It involves breaking down a text and examining it on different levels to
understand its meaning fully.
For example, when analyzing the text "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, a
close reader might examine the author's use of symbolism, such as the
mockingbird representing innocence, and how it relates to the themes of racial
injustice and coming of age. They might also examine the novel's structure and
how it is divided into two parts, reflecting the progression of Scout's
understanding and growth.
Another example is when analyzing "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the
close reader might examine the use of imagery and symbolism, such as the green
light and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and how it relates to the themes of love,
wealth and the loss of the American Dream. They might also examine the
structure of the novel and how it is divided into nine chapters, which reflects the
progression of the novel's plot and characters.
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