A Guide to Analyzing Literature
Faigley, The Brief Penguin Handbook

Reading literature requires a set of practices different from
those you might use while reading the Sunday paper or an email.
Think of yourself as an active critical observer.

Less experienced readers sometimes believe that literature is a game played between writers and readers.

This line of thinking creates the mistaken impression that a writer hides the "real meaning" of a text beneath layers of symbols, images, metaphors, and other fancy literary tricks, daring the reader to find it.

Literary texts strive to open ground where your imagination and intellect can roam.

Instead of hunting for the author's secret meaning, concentrate on developing a reading of your own.

Experienced readers read texts several times before they feel comfortable with them.

They read methodically, recording their ideas in marginal notes.

Remember not to confuse the narrator with the author!