Close Reading - Deciphering the Details

Close Reading

Deciphering the Details

When you do a close reading, you are looking deeply into the meaning of a small section of your text.

Directions: On a loose-leaf sheet of paper, write a comment for each numbered sentence(s).

Part I

1. “'We will call it the Joyous Island,” [Elaine] said. “We shall be so happy there. 2. And Lance,'--he flinched when she called him by the pet name--'I want you to have your hobbies. 3. We must have tournaments, and hawking, and plenty of things to do. You must invite people to stay, so that we can have company. 4. I promise I won't be jealous of you, Lance, and I won't try to live in your pocket. 5. Don't you think we might have a happy life if we are careful? Don't you think the Joyous Isle would be a lovely name?'” (411)

Part II

1. “Lancelot stopped at once, as if he were a farm laborer who had been given permission to knock off for dinner. 2. He stuck his sword in the ground as if it were a pitchfork, and stood patiently. 3. He had, indeed, only been working with the quiet patience of a farm hand. He had not been trying to hurt his opponent.” (414)

Part III

1. “Elaine had come down from her gallery and was waiting at the end of the tilt yard. She was now to welcome, as she knew well, the people who were to break her heart. 2. She did not interfere with their greetings, but watched them like a child who had been left out of a game. 3. She stood still, gathering her forces. All her powers, all the frontier guards of her spirit, were being called in and concentrated at the citadel of her heart.” (416)