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Mining literature for deeper meanings - Amy E. Harter

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Writing a great English paper can be tough because literature doesn’t always reveal its deeper meanings immediately. You might not know Mr. Darcy’s true feelings for Elizabeth Bennett in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or grasp the complex moral universe of Toni Morrison’s Beloved at first reading. Amy E. Harter offers a few tips on how to read and write more critically and thoughtfully.

Think about the most recent literary text you’ve studied. Give some examples of small details that you noticed about one of the characters. Then, apply your powers of insight to come to some conclusions about that character’s motivations based on those clues.

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Amy E. Harter
  • Animator Andres Bernal, Daniela Bernal, Hanna Hiroshi
  • Director David Bernal
  • Editor Gustavo Martinez, Sonia Rodriguez
  • Producer Nestor B. Macias
  • Narrator Amy E. Harter

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