[Junior High 2nd Year Japanese] Mastering How to Read Literary Texts (Stories and Novels)!

Hello, 2nd-year junior high students! When you're reading a story or a novel in Japanese class and you're asked, "How does the character feel?", have you ever felt stumped on how to answer?
Reading literary texts is a lot like becoming a "detective of the heart." If you can find the clues hidden within the text, the story becomes much more interesting, and your test scores will soar!
It might feel difficult at first, but don't worry. Once you pick up a few "tricks," anyone can become a reading comprehension pro. Let’s learn together and have fun!

1. Tips for Grabbing a Character's "Emotions"

The most important thing when reading a story is understanding "when and how" the characters felt a certain way. However, it’s often the case that the text doesn't explicitly state, "He felt sad." When that happens, focus on these three points:

① Focus on words and actions!

People often let their inner thoughts slip through their words and body language.
Example: "Clenched his fists tightly" → Anger, frustration, or determination.
Example: "Hurriedly looked away" → Guilt or embarrassment.
Try to imagine the character's heart based on their movements like this.

② Focus on scene descriptions (settings and weather)!

Authors often use the "scenery" to express a character's feelings.
Example: A "bright blue sky" when their heart is cheerful.
Example: "Drizzling rain" when they are feeling down.
Tip: Check to see if the scenery is more than just a background—is it acting as a "mirror to the character's heart"?

③ Focus on facial expressions and appearance!

Beyond direct descriptions like "face turns red" or "pale," look for small details like "loosening a tie (wanting to relax)" or "fidgeting with the edge of a desk (feeling uneasy)."

[Key Point!]
When analyzing emotions, the golden rule of Japanese class is: don't rely on your own wild imagination—always base your answer on "words from the text"!

2. Following the "Change" in the Story

In 2nd-year Japanese, you are often asked how a character's heart has "changed" between the beginning and the end of a story.

The Formula for Emotional Change

It's easier to organize emotional shifts using this flow:
\( \text{Trigger (Event)} \rightarrow \text{Emotional Shift} \rightarrow \text{New Action/Perspective} \)

1. [Before] How did they feel originally?
2. [Trigger] What happened, and what was said to them?
3. [After] As a result, how did their feelings change?

Fun Fact:
Stories have a "climax" (the turning point). This is where the emotions shift the most. Try to find the scene with the most intensity!

3. Understanding Literary Devices (Rhetoric)

Authors use various "techniques" to make stories more compelling. Knowing these will help you understand the depth of the writing.

Metaphor (Figurative Language)

A method of comparing one thing to another.
・Simile (Chokuyu): Uses expressions like "just like." (e.g., Tears like pearls)
・Metaphor (Inyu): Compares without using "like" or "as." (e.g., He is the sun of the class)
・Personification (Gijinho): Giving non-human things human traits. (e.g., The wind whispers)

Contrast (Taihi)

A technique that highlights characteristics by placing opposites side-by-side, such as "bright place" vs. "dark place," or "past self" vs. "present self."

[Common Mistake]
Students sometimes forget that "personification" is a type of "metaphor." Personification is also just a way of "comparing" something to a human to make it easier to understand!

4. Organizing the Scene Progression (Kishōtenketsu)

Get a grasp of the big flow of how the story moves:
・Introduction (Setting): Who, where, when, and what are they doing?
・Development (Sho): A problem arises or an incident occurs.
・Climax (Ten): The biggest change or event takes place.
・Conclusion (Ketsu): The incident is resolved, or the story ends with a lingering feeling.

[Summary: Steps for Reading Literary Texts]
1. First, confirm the setting: "When, where, and who?"
2. Underline the characters' "words" and "actions."
3. Look for the "trigger" event that caused their feelings to change.
4. Pay attention to the "metaphors" and "scenery" the author intentionally used!

Conclusion

Reading a story is like experiencing someone else's life for a little while. It becomes much more fun if you read while asking yourself, "What would I think if I were in their shoes?"
Even if a difficult question comes up on a test, the answer is always hidden "inside the text." Feel like a detective and take your time finding the clues. I'm rooting for you!