Double-Entry Logging with Alexandre Dumas

1. Who is speaking? What does this tell us about the character? What is this alluding to? Double-Entry Logging with Alexandre Dumas By: Cara Hamlin Is this an example of a literary device? Why does the character think this way? What is this foreshadowing? What are they talking about?

2. What is Double-Entry Logging (DEL)? I’m glad you asked… What do you do when reading a novel? What should you do when reading a novel? READ CRITICALLY!!! READ CRITICALLY!!! READ CRITICALLY!!! “How can I do this?,” you ask. Another good question… There are several strategies that can be used to do this. Today, we will be talking about one of these called….(drumroll)…DOUBLE-ENTRY LOGGING!

3. MATERIALS & METHOD Materials: All you need is a pencil, some paper, and your brain Method: Step One: Draw a line down the middle of the paper. Then, fold paper in half, hot-dog style. Step Two: Draw line across top. Label left-hand side with the name of the work, the author of the work, and the genre of the work. Label the top of the right-hand column with “Me” or “My Thoughts.” Step Three: If the passage is brief, copy down the passage (within quotes) and note page numbers in left-hand column. If not, just note page number range. Step Four: Look at the passage. Wonder about the passage. Write down your initial thoughts about the passage. This can include a(n) question(s.) Determine P.O.V. Who is speaking? Whose opinion is being expressed? Is it a character or a narrator? Is he or she omniscient? Write down your thoughts. Step Five: Make other observations about the passage. Point out any literary devices that are used. You may even make predictions based on the passage. How does this apply to the The Three Musketeers?

4. Now, let’s practice ourexciting new skill… flcenterlitarts.wordpress.com Oh, look, here’s Alexandre Dumas… Let’s use Double-Entry Logging to read one of the passages in his most famous novel, The Three Musketeers. Turn to chapter 17 in your books. Find the following passage: “Mme. Bonacieux looked at the young man, restrained for a minute by a last hesitation; but there was such an ardor in his eyes, such persuasion in his voice, that she felt herself constrained to confide in him. Besides, she found herself in circumstances where everything must be risked for the sake of everything. The queen might be as much injured by too much reticence as by too much confidence; and--let us admit it--the involuntary sentiment which she felt for her young protector decided her to speak. "Listen," said she; "I yield to your protestations, I yield to your assurances. But I swear to you, before God who hears us, that if you betray me, and my enemies pardon me, I will kill myself, while accusing you of my death." "And I--I swear to you before God, madame," said d'Artagnan. "that if I am taken while accomplishing the orders you give me, I will die sooner than do anything that may compromise anyone." Then the young woman confided in him the terrible secret of which chance had already communicated to him a part in front of the Samaritaine. This was their mutual declaration of love. D'Artagnan was radiant with joy and pride. This secret which he possessed, this woman whom he loved! Confidence and love made him a giant.”

5. Format Step One: Get out a piece of notebook paper. Draw a line down the middle. Fold on that line. Unfold paper. Draw a line across top. Step Two: Label top-left column as follows: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (Novel) Label top-right column with “My Thoughts” My Thoughts The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (novel) Now that we have the format, let’s work on logging…

6. Format Continued Step Three: Because this is a long passage, simply begin and end the quote, inserting ellipses(…) in between beginning and ending words. Do this in the left column. Step Four: Write down your initial thoughts. Is there anything you are unsure or confused about? Write these down. Then, determine P.O.V. Which of our characters (or the narrator) is speaking? Write this down. • “Mme. Bonacieux looked at the young man, restrained for a minute by a last hesitation; but there was such an ardor in his eyes, such persuasion in his voice, that she felt herself constrained to confide in him. […] D'Artagnan was radiant with joy and pride. This secret which he possessed, this woman whom he loved! Confidence and love made him a giant.” (Chapter 17) I wonder if D’Artagnan has ever been in love before. How might this influence his feelings for Madame Bonacieux? The 3rd person, omniscient narrator has been the speaker throughout the rest of the novel, so I think we can safely assume that this is still the case. We know he is omniscient because he knows how both D’Artagnan and Mm. Bonacieux feel at this moment. And many more observations can be made. Let’s look at an example…

7. Logging Let’s make some other observations about the passage… In the first sentence there is parallel construction “ardor in his eyes” and “persuasion in his voice.” The use of this device reinforces the sincerity of D’Artagnan’s assurances of secrecy. Based on this passage, I think Madame Bonacieux will play a major part in the action of the novel. She might influence D’Artagnan to do certain things, using her feminine charm on him. Let’s summarize what we’ve learned…

8. Summary DEL: Stands for Double-Entry Logging; (n.) a strategy that can be used to help you read critically; Five-Step Process. Why is it important to read critically? We must read critically in order to understand what is going on, who is acting, why they are acting, and how their actions/behavior will influence other characters. It also allows us to analyze the literary devices and strategies that are used, and how they are important to our interpretation. What must we consider when Double-entry logging? Who is speaking? Is their knowledge limited or omniscient? Where is the action/event taking place? What literary devices are used? What do they contribute to our understanding of the passage? Can we make any predictions based on the passage? Do we have any questions about the passage?