Incorporating Quotes & The Art of Explication

Incorporating Quotes & The Art of Explication By Yours Truly

Overview • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtTZwtOhPCM • This video outlines: • The two different approaches to quoting (Peppering and Block Quotes) • How to introduce a quote • How to format a quote • How to analyze or explicate a quote

Literary Analysis Ideas Evidence Analysis/Explication • What to include in literary analysis: • Statements expressing the student’s own ideas about the text. • Evidence from the text to support these ideas (either summarized, paraphrased, or quoted). • Analysis of how the evidence supports the student’s interpretation.

Example of the 3 Components of Literary Analysis Prince Edward’s descent from riches into poverty also attacks the supposed benefits of poverty. Edward, sheltered from violence all his life, is suddenly thrust into a brutally violent world. In fact, while Tom enjoys casting off his beatings onto a whipping boy (Twain 76), Edward’s initial experience of poverty is of receiving a “sounding box on the ear that sent him whirling to the roadway” (Twain 19). When Edward desperately searches for Tom’s home, expecting to find welcome relief from the cruelties he has suffered, he unexpectedly encounters more violent suffering. Not only is Edward beaten by John Canty, but he witnesses the beating of Tom’s sisters and mother as well (Twain 48).The home is associated with familial protection and love. That Edward, his mother, and sisters are attacked in such a place, and by a family member nonetheless, destroys the last sense of security and peace of the poor. Violence invades their home lives, leaving them with no escape from brutality.

When & Why to Quote • When the language in a quote is especially compelling in proving your point • Benefit: • Literary analysis requires you to look closely at a text’s language • Specific support = more convincing • For example: • What type of quotes would you look for if you were trying to discuss the significance of machine imagery in Cuckoo’s Nest?

Less is more • Peppering method: • Specific words • Specific phrases • Good for linguistic patterns • Example: • While Twain’s depiction of this social inequity, through Huckleberry Finn, is not as harsh as his portrayal in The Prince and the Pauper, there are times when the grim reality of Huck’s destitution becomes apparent. For example, his dress is described as the “cast-off clothes of full-grown men” and “rags” (Twain 51). His hat is “ a vast ruin” and his pants have “fringed legs [that] dragged in the dirt when not rolled up” (Twain 51).

Sometimes More Text is Needed • Quoting entire sentences or multiple sentences • Sometimes a word or two just doesn’t cut it • Must use “sandwich” or “hamburger” method • Example: • Furthermore, instead of being cast out by society, others tend to his every need. For instance, an excessive number of people dress him: “[A] shirt was taken up by the Chief Equerry in Waiting, who passed it to the First Lord of the Buckhounds, who passed it to the Second Gentleman of the Bedchamber, who passed it to the Head Ranger of Windsor Forest, who passed it to the Third Groom of the Stole…” (Twain 71). This list extends for another seven lines. Twain’s exaggeration here highlights the excess attention the wealthy receive, thus sharpening the contrast of the rejection of the poor.

Hamburger Method: Overview Introduce Quote Analyze *Hamburger Method = Evidence and Analysis (of Literary Analysis)

Graphic Representation Literary Analysis 1. Your idea/interpretation 2. Evidence (H. method) 3. Analysis (H. Method) Topic Sentence or development of idea in topic sentence Introduce Quote Discussion of how quote proves your idea

Step 1: Introduce • Provide Context • What is the basic scene? • Under what circumstances does the quotation appear? • Is a character speaking? Which one? To whom? Why? When? About what? How is he/she speaking? • Is this narration? If so, what is the narrator describing?

Introduce: Example When the Holy Grail finally appears to Lancelot at a secluded chapel, he is only able to glimpse the religious vessel. For the majority of the Holy Grail episode, Lancelot remains in a dreamlike, immobile state (Context): “Whether because he was so overcome with fatigue or because he was weighed down by the sins he had committed, Lancelot did not move or react at all when the Grail appeared” (326).

Introducing Terms Add Remark Exclaim Announce Reply State Comment Respond Estimate Write Point out Predict Argue Suggest Propose Declare Criticize Proclaim Note Complain Note Observe Think

Step 2: Quote • Quote using either: • The Peppering Method  More fluid • The Block Method

Step 3: Analyze/Explicate • Your explanation of how the quote proves your idea/argument • Most important part • DON’T let a quote stand for itself • Relies on assumption

Analysis/Explication: Example (IDEA) For example in The Quest for the Holy Grail, of the Vulgate Cycle, Lancelot’s love for Guinevere prevents him from successfully completing the adventures of the Holy Grail. (INTRO TO QUOTE) When the Holy Grail finally appears to Lancelot at a secluded chapel, he is only able to glimpse the religious vessel. For the majority of the Holy Grail episode, Lancelot remains in a dreamlike, immobile state:(QUOTE)“Whether because he was so overcome with fatigue or because he was weighed down by the sins he had committed, Lancelot did not move or react at all when the Grail appeared” (326). (ANALYSIS) Interestingly, the text cites Lancelot’s “sins” as a potential cause of his stupor. His greatest sin is, of course, his affair with the married Guinevere. Thus, his love for her prevents him from securing the Holy Grail.

Your Turn! We will practice the skills of Literary Analysis and Explication together with the worksheet I gave you.

Incorporating Quotes & The Art of Explication