[Grade 7] Tips for Reading Literary Texts: Let's Go on an Adventure into the World of Stories!

Hello! Do you enjoy reading "stories" (literary texts) in Japanese class? Many people feel like, "I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for," or "I'm not good at describing how characters feel." But don't worry! Reading a story is just like "an adventure where you get to peek into someone else's life." Once you know a few "points of focus," the world of the story becomes much easier to navigate. Let's learn and have fun together!

1. Who is speaking? Find the "Narrator"

Every story has a "narrator" who tells the story to us. The important thing to remember here is that the "author" (the person who wrote the book) and the "narrator" are different entities.

● Two Common Patterns for Narrators
1. When "I" (boku/watashi) appears (First-person): The protagonist is telling the story as their own experience. Because you know the protagonist's feelings directly, it's easier to empathize with them.
2. When "I" does not appear (Third-person): Someone observing the story from a distance is describing it. You can see the movements and state of all the characters involved.

【Pro-Tip】
Start by reading the beginning of the story and ask yourself, "Is this 'I' telling their own story? Or is someone observing the characters?"

2. Catch the emotions! 3 Hints to read "Inner Feelings"

The most common question on tests is, "What was the character feeling at this moment?" The truth is, feelings are often not explicitly stated in the text. So, play the detective and look for these three things:

① Dialogue (What they said)
Pay attention to silences like "..." or sentences with an exclamation mark "!". Try to imagine the volume or tone of their voice.
② Actions/Behavior (What they did)
(Example) "They clenched their fists tightly." → Are they frustrated or holding back anger?
(Example) "Their step became lighter." → Are they happy or excited?
③ Facial Expressions (How they look)
(Example) "They turned bright red," "They looked down." → Are they embarrassed or feeling guilty?

【Fun Fact】
This is technically called "indirect characterization." Instead of just writing "they were sad," the author writes about the character shedding tears; it’s a technique to communicate feelings to the reader more deeply.

3. The background has meaning! The secret of "Scenery Description"

The weather and scenery that appear in a story are called "scenery descriptions." These aren't just decorations; they are often reflections of the "character's heart."

● Common Patterns
・Blue sky, sun, blooming flowers: Bright feelings, hope, a new beginning.
・Rain, cloudy skies, cold wind: Sadness, anxiety, loneliness.
・Twilight/Sunset: Loneliness, the end of the day, confusion.

【Analogy】
A sunset looks beautiful when you’re walking home after making up with your best friend, right? But when you see that same sunset after a fight, doesn't it look a bit sad? Scenery is a "mirror of the heart."

4. The climax of the story! Follow the "Change in Feelings"

The most important thing in Grade 7 literature is to find "how the protagonist's heart changed from the beginning to the end of the story." People's hearts move because of an "event" or "incident."

【Steps to find the change】
1. 【Before】 What were they feeling at the start? (e.g., they were selfish.)
2. 【The Trigger】 What happened? (e.g., they got scolded by a friend.)
3. 【After】 How did they change by the end? (e.g., they learned to consider the other person's feelings.)

【Pro-Tip】
Stories are interesting precisely because there is "change." If you see words like "however," "but," or "nevertheless" in the text, that might be the turning point for the character's heart. Check it out!

5. Overcoming weaknesses! Common mistakes and strategies

× Common mistake: Writing your own opinion
When a question asks, "What did the protagonist think?", writing your own thoughts like "If it were me, I would think this..." is a no-go. The answer is always hidden "inside the text." Use the words found in the passage to answer.

★ The Magic Checklist
If you get stuck, check these 5 things!
・When? (Time period, season, time of day)
・Where? (Location, atmosphere)
・Who? (Character personality, relationships)
・What did they do? (The core event)
・What happened? (The conclusion, the emotional change)

Summary

・Identify who the "narrator" is!
・Infer "feelings" from dialogue and actions!
・Remember that scenery is a "mirror of the heart"!
・Grasp the "change" between the beginning and the end!

It might feel difficult at first, but you'll be fine. Reading stories is practice for encountering the hearts of many different people. For now, try reading it one sentence at a time, feeling the excitement or sadness along with the protagonist!