<p>How do you guys approach a novel? My class is reading Crime and Punishment, and I'm supposed to answer very in-depth questions about the themes, characters (with lots of supporting evidence), setting, and plot structure (falling actions, climax, denouement, etc).</p>
<p>Problem is, I don't know how to approach it. How do you guys do it? For instance, for Of Mice and Men, what would you consider the theme, plot structure, description of main characters, symbols etc?</p>
<p>I feel like my thinking is shallow. Actually, that is what I was told. Haha. Like, when I look at Of Mice and Men, I think that Lenny is the innocent one, George the normal ranch hand that had a chance at something great with Lennie, the evil temptress, the fiery jealous husband, the sad old man/colored man that aren't respected as much and pushed around a bit. Symbols are the rabbits, Lennie's puppy, and I can't remember anything else.</p>
<p>When my teacher was explaining a play, she went so in-depth and expects us to do the same with C&P or we get an F, straight out. It was really inspiring to see the way her mind wrapped around the play, though.</p>
<p>Make notes in the book itself, or on a separate piece of paper (including page numbers for later reference), as you read. Comments, questions, things that look like themes/character development/plot, etc. By forcing yourself to 'verbalize' what you're reading (by writing it), you will be better able to link things together, ask questions and find answers, and read it in much more depth.
It also makes it easy to go back and skim through whatever notes you've taken to put everything into context and think about it all at once after you're done with a chapter or section.</p>
<p>What I'm doing right now for Pride and Prejudice is writing down ANYTHING that comes to mind about the makeup of the novel (significance of plot, how the novel qualifies as a classic, growing themes, satire, irony, etc). </p>
<p>The entry I'm writing right now is about 3 pages long (comp. notebook) and still counting. Just write whatever comes to your mind, chances are some of it if not most of it will be insightful. It is also a great stepping stone if you ever have to come up with your own essay topics on the book.</p>
<p>Take notes in the book on anything that looks like it might be important. You'll probably be able to find a lot of insightful stuff and then build on it later.</p>