Analyzing

How do I think when I think analytically? I suppose I never really thought about it before the last reading assignment. I guess when I first approach an analytical essay, I think about the basics: Symbolism, time period, history, etc. After I think and write those ideas down, I’ll think about what I am analyzing and what it means to me. Does it relate to me? How? Why is the meaning so important? Then, I think about the author’s view. Why did the author write this story? Why did she write the way she wrote? I’ll probably research the author’s life a bit to see if her life could have some play in what she wrote. Then comes the hardest part, in my opinion: Looking at how another reader could view it. When I read something, I assume that everyone came to the same conclusion as I did. This part usually ends with me calling up random friends and family to ask their opinion. Yes, the cheater way out of it. I guess the big question I ask myself is “So what?” The author must have had a reason to have written the story. She chose the scenery, the steps each character makes, and the words each character says. There’s a reason behind it.