Reading Literary Texts

[Japanese] Tips for Understanding Literary Texts (Novels and Short Stories)

Hello everyone! In 9th-grade Japanese, you are expected to read for deeper "emotional shifts" and the "backdrop of the story." You might feel that "reading stories is a weak point," but don't worry! Reading a novel is like going on an adventure where you experience someone else's life firsthand.
In this article, I’ll break down how to read "literary texts" in a way that is easy to understand and useful for tests and entrance exams.

1. Organize the "Scene" and "Setting"

Once you start reading, it's important to first grasp the foundation: "when, where, and who."

■ The Three Elements of a Scene

1. Time (When): The season, time of day, and historical period.
2. Place (Where): Where they are and what the surrounding scenery looks like.
3. Characters (Who): Who the protagonist is and what their relationships are.

【Tip】
Be mindful of breaks in the text when a scene changes (e.g., location shifts or time passes). These are often signaled by a paragraph break or phrases like "A few days later..."

2. Techniques for Grasping Characters' "Emotions"

The most important skill in 9th-grade Japanese is identifying "how a character feels." Even if the text doesn't explicitly say "they were sad," you can deduce it from these three hints:

① Words and Actions

If the description says, "They clenched their fists tightly," it might be expressing "frustration" or "determination."

② Facial Expressions and Appearance

If their "face turned bright red," use the context to determine if they are "embarrassed" or "angry."

③ Scenery Description (Mirroring inner feelings)

This is an especially important point for 9th grade!
Example: "The gloomy, gray sky stretched out before them."
If the protagonist is depressed, this sky can be seen as a reflection of their internal state. This is called "the projection of emotion onto the landscape."

【Fun Fact】
In the past, people considered it "not very classy" to express emotions directly. That is why they chose to blame the weather or use the image of falling flower petals to express sadness. This technique carries over into modern novels as well.

3. Focusing on the Story's "Structure" and "Change"

There is always a "change" in a story. Works found in 9th-grade textbooks often center on the theme of the protagonist's growth or shift in perspective.

■ Steps to Track Emotional Shifts

1. Trigger: An event or incident occurs.
2. Conflict: The character struggles or feels conflicted internally.
3. Change: After experiencing the event, their way of thinking or feelings change.

【Common Mistake】
Be careful not to mix up your own thoughts—what you would think if you were in their shoes—with the character's feelings as written in the text. The secret is to always find your answers based on "evidence within the text!"

4. Expressive Techniques (Metaphors, Inversion, etc.)

These are techniques writers use to make a strong impression on the reader.

● Metaphor (Hiyu)

Comparing one thing to another.
・Simile (Chokuyu): Uses terms like "like" or "as if" (e.g., Skin as white as snow).
・Metaphor (In'yu): Stating something "is" something else (e.g., He is the sun of the classroom).

● Personification (Gijinho)

Attributing human qualities to non-human things.
・Example: "The wind is whispering."

【Tip】
Why did the author go out of their way to use a comparison? It's because they want to "convey the image more clearly and vividly." Think about what kind of image they are trying to communicate.

5. Considering the Theme (What the author wants to convey)

Finally, consider what the author wanted to say through the story (the theme). In 9th grade, themes go beyond simple "friendship" or "courage" to include deep topics like the complexity of human relationships or the harshness of society.

【Hint for thinking】
Focus on the very last line or how the protagonist ends up at the conclusion of the story. The author's message is often hidden right there.

It might feel difficult at first, but you'll be fine.
The "hints" are always hidden within the text. Try reading as if you were listening to a friend's troubles—ask yourself, "Is this person laughing right now? Or do they want to cry?"

★ Summary ★
・First, check the "When, Where, and Who!"
・Look into their heart through their "actions, dialogue, and scenery!"
・Focus on how the protagonist changed before and after the "event!"
・Don't rely on your own opinion; use the words in the text as your evidence!