3 replies to this topic

[rlbnw13]

Essentially, I have to analyze specific quotes (chosen by my teacher) out of the book 'Chronicle of a Death Foretold' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. We're given a chart to fill out and for each quote I have to include these things: author craft/technique, impact on scene, impact on novel, cultural aspect (i.e. is it related to family, traditions, religion, race, gender, economy/wealth, or social status?), and implications in society/outside of the novel. For the most part, I am okay with all of these except for the impact ones (impact on scene and impact on novel). Basically, my teacher wants us to discuss the impact that the given quote has specifically and do this clearly and concisely. So I'm relatively comprehending of how to go about describing 'impact on novel' ('relatively' being the operative word...) but I'm really having trouble determining the impact a quote has on the individual scene. If anyone could help me out and describe how I might go about determining what the impact is, I would REALLY appreciate it. Also, let me know if you need some clarification on anything. Thanks!

[Sandwich]

...how does it affect the scene? "Alas all is lost!" - impact = despair, "and so they went to Monaco" - impact = concludes the scene and suggests further action, "May god smite you down with little pixies" - impact = humour(?), positions one character as aggressive, might be setting the character up for their downfall later in the novel at the hands of the pixies and therefore be an example of irony... whatever you want to say, to be honest.

Kind-of a weird activity to make you do this for single quotes, but essentially "impact" is pretty simple - the effect something has within context. Be it of the novel or of a scene or whatever. Just make something up. Preferably a realistic interpretation based on the scene, of course Hopefully your teachers have picked things which give genuine impact. Re-read the scene and see what part it plays in setting, character development, storyline... blah blah etc., and if you can't find some kind of impact (quotes may even have the impact of being boring and inconsequential), I'd be impressed.

[spereira14]

I guess impact would be how striking it is, if it sets the tones for the chapter, whole novel. It doesn't have to particularly striking, very well it could be discreet and mark the disappointment or depression of one of the characters. I think you could describe how it affects the novel, the aftermath of such impact, etc.

Tough activty, I sympathize with you. Most of the times, analyzing a quote out of context is much harder than analyzing it as part of a whole.

Hope I helped

[rlbnw13]

You were both very helpful. Thanks so much!