【Literature Studies】 How to Read Novels: An Adventure in Unlocking Narrative Worlds
Hello there! Do you ever feel like "I love reading novels, but I just can't get the points on tests"? Or maybe you feel like you aren't very good at reading literature in general. Don't worry! Reading comprehension for novels isn't about having a "special sense"—anyone can master it by learning the "rules"!
Reading a novel is like experiencing someone else's life. In these notes, we will organize the structure of stories and explain the "tricks" to accurately grasping characters' feelings in an easy-to-understand way. By the time you finish reading this, turning the pages of a novel will be even more fun!
1. The "Three Pillars" That Form a Novel
Novels are broadly made up of three elements: "Characters," "Events," and "Scenery." Simply keeping these three in mind will make the framework of the story much clearer.
① Characters
This refers to the protagonist and the people involved in their life. Don't just memorize their names—focus on their personalities and their circumstances (what kind of situation they are in).
② Events
This doesn't just mean big things like "a murder mystery." Getting into an argument, getting a bad grade on a test, finding a flower on the side of the road... any incident that triggers a shift in the protagonist's heart counts as an "event."
③ Scenery
This covers the setting of the story, such as the place, time, and weather. In fact, there is no "useless scenery" in a novel. The scenery acts like a mirror that reflects the characters' inner feelings.
【Pro Tip】
While reading a novel, try to imagine taking a quick mental note of "who" (character), "where" (scenery), and "what happened" (event). This will make it much easier to organize the content!
★Summary (The Pillars)★
Novels are built from a combination of "Characters, Events, and Scenery"!
2. Techniques for Grasping Characters' "Inner Feelings"
The most common question on literature tests is, "Describe how the protagonist is feeling at this moment." It's easy to want to answer based on your own imagination, but the truth is that "the answer is always in the text." Look for these three hints:
① Dialogue and Actions (Direct Hints)
It's easy when the text explicitly says "happy" or "sad," but in novels, these are often hidden.
Example: "Clenched their fist tightly" → Regret, anger, determination
Example: "Face turned red" → Embarrassment, anger, shyness
The trick is to work backward from their "actions" to figure out their feelings.
② Descriptions of Scenery (Indirect Hints)
Sometimes, a character's feelings are reflected in the surrounding scenery.
Example: On the way home after passing a test → "The sunset looked like it was sparkling."
Example: When experiencing heartbreak → "Heavy, gloomy clouds covered the sky."
Remember the common rule: "Scenery is often depicted as bright when emotions are positive, and dark when they are negative."
③ Circumstances and Changes (Contextual Hints)
Think about "the situation in which the event occurred." If it's right after they got something they've wanted forever, it's obviously "joy." Follow the context of the surrounding paragraphs closely.
【Common Mistake】
Answering based on your own subjectivity, like "If it were me, I would think this." Always base your answer on the "words in the text" and think from the perspective of that character!
★Summary (Inner Feelings)★
Feelings are hidden in "actions" and "scenery"!
3. Mastering "Perspective"
Novels have a perspective—the "eyes" through which the story is told. Knowing this helps you notice biases in the story's information.
● First-Person Perspective (Told by "I")
The protagonist tells the story of their own experiences. You get a clear view of the protagonist's inner world, but be careful: "what other characters are thinking" is merely a guess by the protagonist.
● Third-Person Perspective (The "God's Eye" View)
The story is explained by a narrator outside the story. Because of this, it can explain things happening in places the protagonist doesn't know about, such as "Meanwhile, elsewhere..."
【Trivia】
First-person novels (using "I") make it easy for readers to empathize with the protagonist. Conversely, third-person novels are better for viewing the story as a whole, objectively and calmly.
4. Foreshadowing and Themes
Finally, these are the elements that help you enjoy a story more deeply.
● Foreshadowing
These are hints dropped casually in advance for events that will happen later. A development where "a prop you thought was meaningless at the beginning plays a crucial role at the end" is a classic case of paying off foreshadowing.
● Theme
The "message" the author most wanted to convey through the novel. In most cases, it is hidden within the protagonist's "growth" or "realizations" after they overcome the story's events.
【Level-Up Advice】
Try getting into the habit of asking, "What is this story about in one sentence?" If you can summarize it like "A story about the importance of friendship" or "A story about accepting one's own weaknesses," you've successfully grasped the theme!
5. Conclusion: Your "Amulet" for Reading Literature
It might feel difficult at first, but you'll be fine. A novel is like a "puzzle." If you carefully piece together the "clues" (words) found within the text, you will definitely reach the correct answer.
★Reading Points to Remember★
1. Organize the "who, where, and what."
2. Read emotions from actions and scenery.
3. Make your motto: "What does the text say?" instead of "What would I do?"
4. When you reach the final line, focus on how the protagonist has changed.
Now you have the basics of novels down! Next, try re-reading a piece from your textbook using this perspective. You're bound to find discoveries you hadn't noticed before!