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Kristen Mathieson
Once you finish filling in all the information outlined in the previous steps, reread the piece of literature to ensure nothing of importance was forgotten during the analysis. Once everything has been accounted for the analysis can be considered complete.
The atmosphere and setting of a piece of literature is often used as additional information that compares the character's personality and helps describe the changes that occur throughout the piece. The tone in which a piece of literature is told is important because it explains and creates a frame for any symbols, themes, diction, etc. used in the piece.
The atmosphere and mood of Pius Ndawula's home before he came into money was evident at the beginning of the piece of literature: a calm, quiet area in which Pius could enjoy his own company without interruptions. When his relatives began arriving in large groups, the atmosphere became crowded and an air of suffocation was described, the way in which this particular section was written made it seem rushed and busy. When Pius was taken to his friend's house to rest up while Cousin Sarah looked after his home and all the people, the mood changed with the setting: it became peaceful and quiet again because Pius was able to be alone with his thoughts and musings.
Some people find this to be the hardest step because it requires you to step outside of the piece of literature and compare it to your life. It is the last step because the information found in the previous steps makes it easier to make connections. Use the plot, themes, symbols, setting, etc. to make your connections from the literature to your life.
The character, Pius Ndawula, is comparable to me and my personality. He feels almost threatened when his home becomes crowded with people but decides against speaking out on the matter, much like I do when there are more than a couple visitors at my house at one time. Pius surrounds himself with people who are looking out for his best interest and aren't afraid to voice their opinion if they think something isn't going his way because he knows it is the only way that he'll be heard. I choose to become friends with people who I know will protect me when I don't feel like it's necessary to protect myself and people who are fearless but compassionate.
The next step is to describe the personality and features of the main character to better outline the themes and tone that appear in the literature in later steps.
The fourth step of literary analysis is to study and describe the structure of the piece and determine how it is related and helps progress the themes, events, etc. in the story.
The main character is an old man named Pius Mdawula, who keeps to himself and spends a majority of his days alone in his hut. He keeps enough food and supplies in his hut for just himself, never expecting any visitors. While he was annoyed by the over crowding in his hut, he kept his opinions to himself, not wanting to cause more trouble than it was worth. By marrying the woman who admitted to seeking him in hopes of being able to benefit from each other, it is proven that he is a man who appreciates honesty and a good deal.
This piece of literature has a basic structure of intro-rising action-climax-denouement. The intro is when Pius and his situation are introduced: the football pool money and his countless relatives visiting. The rising action is when he becomes bombarded by reporters and questions and grows weary and overwhelmed, only to have Cousin Sarah insist he leave his home to be somewhere more calm. The climax is when Pius is informed he hasn't actually won a great deal of money and his family in turn leaves, while Sarah stays and continues to help him. Although it is not described in great deal, the climax is the growing love between Pius and Sarah. The denouement takes place in the tomb where Pius' friend spends his life, Pius informs his friend of his impending wedding and gives him the money he promised.
One of the last steps of literary analysis is to interpret the themes used in the piece of literature and explain them in regard to the piece and how they affect the characters, etc.
The most dominant themes in this piece of literature are money and happiness and whether the two can be interchanged. The point in the piece of literature where Pius seems most unhappy is when he has an abundance of money. Pius is a simple man who prefers to be alone, so when he comes into money and in turn an increase of company, he becomes drained and wishes for peace. After he is told that he hasn't actually won a large amount of money, he returns to his content state and marries the woman whom he felt annoyed by when he was 'rich'.
The first step in analyzing a piece of literature is to summarize the events that take place in 50 words or less.
Upon winning a football pool, an old man is bombarded by people who befriend him in the chance of reaping the benefits of the prize money. After discovering the football pool is worth less than initially thought, the people leave and the man finds love and marriage in the woman who helped him through the situation in hopes of receiving help from him in return.
Identify and explain any symbols involved in the writing of this literary piece. Things to include in the explanation are where and how it is brought into the story, the significance, and the meaning of the symbol.
Authors use imagery and other figurative language to develop a piece of literature beyond the use of diction, tone, etc. because it allows the reader to better connect and pull things from the piece. Read through the text to find any imagery used and describe the use and reasoning of it.
As opposed to using objects as symbols in this piece of literature, the author used Cousin Sarah as a symbol of the character development of Pius. At the beginning of the piece, he is constantly keeping his eye on her and his friend often tells him that "she's a sticker". Throughout the story, Pius begins to appreciate her more and more, eventually falling in love with her over their mutual need for the other's help.
The most obvious use of figurative language used in "The Winner" is the irony in the title. Upon reading the piece of literature you come to the conclusion that Pius Ndawula is anything but a winner: his relatives become greedy and begin to sponge off him for the money and because of this he discovers awful things about his relatives. Around the middle of the story, Pius also finds out that he hasn't won nearly as much money as he had originally thought.
Before beginning to analyze a piece of
literature, you must read it through, paying special attention to content, diction, imagery, relationships between characters, etc. You may also begin to make connections between the events in the literature and your own life.