Analysis of this paragraph of Jane Eyre:
” I stopped, half suffocated with the thoughts that rose faster than I could receive, comprehend, settle them: thoughts of what might, could, would, and should be, and that ere long. I looked at the blank wall: it seemed a sky thick with ascending stars, and everyone lit me to a purpose or delight. Those who had saved my life, whom, till this hour, I had loved barrenly, I could now benefit. They were under a yoke, I could free them: they were scattered, I could reunite them: the independence, the affluence which was mine, might be theirs too.”
Why did the author write these exact words in this order? Why did they choose these words over other words? Why is this sentence very long, or short? Why did they use this punctuation? How does this passage relate to the larger work? Why does this character or narrator say this exact thing at this exact moment? In addition to this, close reading should have an interpretation, what is your take on this passage? How does it work? Why does it work? Does it work at all? Most importantly, what do you think it is trying to say? For example, is this a commentary about women’s role, a critique of capitalism, a religious metaphor, a turning point in the poem, a moment of foreshadowing, a reference to a historical event, a divergence from / great example of a literary convention of the period/genre, etc. (these are just some of an endless list of ways to interpret a text)
Some general advice:
-Do not summarize
-Keep it specific: make sure every sentence you write is directly about your quote, not about broad themes, other characters/plot points/sections of the text
-This is not an essay, so you should not have an introduction or conclusion, just start with your close reading right away
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