Questions to analyze narrative texts

The form

  1. What is this novel or short story about?
  2. Is this an autobiographical text? If so, defend your answer.
  3. What is the chronology of the novel or short story?
  4. Whose story is it?
  5. What is the basic conflict?
  6. What are the characteristics of the narrative voice(s)?
  7. Who is the Focalizer (the eye who sees)?

Faith:

  1. What is the relationship between religion and world construction?
  2. How does the text present religion or the faith process?
  3. Explain how the text deals with syncretism and/or aculturization?
  4. Explore how the text portrays religious topics, such as redemption?
  5. Elaborate about the role of faith in culture.

The Content

  1. Why did the author write the novel or short story?
  2. What is the social-cultural-political or historical context of the novel or short story?
  3. How are sexual/gender roles assigned?
  4. How does the novel or short story deal with issues of nationalism and identity?
  5. Does the novel or short story subvert, revise questions or validate the official historical versions?
  6. What is the ideology of the text you read?
  7. What did you learn about Latin American society by reading this text?
  8. Compare or contrast the people and world portrayed in the reading with life in your own society
  9. Who is the "Other"?
  10. Why do we keep on reading the story?

Prof. John S. Brushwood designed this list. I have modified it to fit this course goals and objectives. MM