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Levels of Interpretation

Page history last edited by Mr. Mullen 8 years, 6 months ago

Level	Elements	Associated with...
Literal	denotation; plot	imagery, rhetorical structure, prosody	Can you paraphrase the plot? (Poems have plots, too.) Do you understand the diction and syntax? Do you know how the text is structured?
Metaphorical / Symbolic	connotation; analogy	ideas, emotions, concepts	On this level, the imagery may point to a concept, emotion, or force. The image (the vehicle) points to an abstraction (the tenor). A red rose (vehicle) may point to love (tenor). This level is limited to particular characters, speakers, and texts. For example, a critic can consider what the Mississippi River means as a metaphor to Huck Finn the character, or to Jim, or to the narrator.
Allegorical	a system of related metaphors	societies, types, politics	On this level, metaphors and characters can be understood as universals that apply to everyone. They can also be understood to point to particular societies or groups. On the allegorical level, a character can be an "Everyman," a representative human being.
Anagogical	paradox, irony	universals, “meaning of life,” epiphanies, anagnorisis, theme	On this level, literary texts are read as reflections or statements on human nature and the purpose of life. Readings on this level are often stated in the form of a paradox. An understanding of human nature and existence is, alas, elusive.

		Interpreting the green girdle in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight on various interpretive levels	Interpreting the bloody dagger in Macbeth, Act 2 scene 2 on various interpretive levels
Literal	imagery story plot	The green girdle is an object in the story that has a crucial role in the plot. Everyone loves a good story that has fantastic creatures and magical objects. Stories like this are fun to read.	The imaginary dagger scene is a moment of decision in the plot, a turning point in the story where Macbeth makes up his mind to commit the murder.
Symbolic (Tropological)	character metaphor irony	The green girdle represents Gawain's failure as a knight. He has betrayed a code of honor that he has vowed to follow. It is ironic that a love token, a trophy that knights like Gawain value, symbolizes his personal shortcomings.	The imaginary dagger is a symbol of M's internal conflict. It is an image of Macbeth-- he is there and not there, as is the dagger. He is heading toward Duncan's chamber to forge his future; the dagger is bloody- meaning it is a foreshadowing of what M will become if he commits the murder. It is a symbol of his destiny and his choice.
Allegorical	social political "Everyman"	The green girdle can be understood as a temptation or test that "everyman" (everyone) must face. Gawain is a representative person on the journey of life (iter mentis) trying to live honorably. We are all tempted by our "green girdles." We think that our possessions or our technologies will give us power and security. The poem is an allegory of every person's life journey and the compromises they make.	We all face moments of decision. Our "daggers of the mind"torment us. It is the human condition to be divided. As a tragic figure, we are moved to pity and terror as we make his experience our experience. The dagger is also a political symbol of civil war, usurpation, the legitimacy of the succession. By murdering Duncan, Macbeth is making political decisions that will have ramifications for Scotland.
Anagogical	universal spiritual thematic paradox	The sign of your shame is the sign of honor. In fact, shame and honor go hand in hand. Only the person who has been shamed can truly live honorably. There is a truth that transcends our limited human experience: Forgiveness! So be mirthful, for evil comes to those who dwell on it (Honi soit qui mal y pense.)	The dagger that kills Duncan will kill Macbeth. He will no longer be who he was. Macbeth will suffer the same fate. Perhaps the dagger is saying that we carry our destinies in our hands. We are responsible for our fate.

Ladder of Interpretation graphic organizer:

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B9O1wSQ9FImjNzI5OTQ4YjEtYWUzYi00M2YzLTgyMWUtZTM5NDAzYmVmMGQx&hl=en

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