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Mining literature for deeper meanings - Amy E. Harter

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Writing a great English paper can be tough because literature doesn’t always reveal its deeper meanings immediately. You might not know Mr. Darcy’s true feelings for Elizabeth Bennett in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or grasp the complex moral universe of Toni Morrison’s Beloved at first reading. Amy E. Harter offers a few tips on how to read and write more critically and thoughtfully.

Using that same text as a case study, acknowledge some complexity. Think of the main struggle that your character goes through as the story progresses. What different social forces contribute to the complicated situation that the character is in? Describe these forces (they may be large or small, internal or external), discussing the way that they push or pull on the character’s choices and actions.

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Amy E. Harter
  • Animator Andres Bernal, Daniela Bernal, Hanna Hiroshi
  • Director David Bernal
  • Editor Gustavo Martinez, Sonia Rodriguez
  • Producer Nestor B. Macias
  • Narrator Amy E. Harter

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