VISUAL LITERACY & LITERARY ANALYSIS
(Adapted from Junius Wright, South Carolina, for NCTE at readwritethink.org)
Students will . . .
- use visual literacy skills to analyze, interpret, and explain how individual elements establish the overall meaning of a work of art.
- examine the details in a work of art by sketching and labeling its major elements.
- identify the protagonist, antagonist, and conflict of a work.
- use an analysis of symbolism and characterization to predict the exposition, rising action, falling action, and resolution of a work.
- apply an understanding of how a work of art uses diction, subject, symbolism, tone, and characterization to analyze and explain the tone and theme of the work.
- write an interpretation of a work through an explication of its individual elements.
Part I: See Everything
- When you click open the link you will be ready to start. You are in the VIEW phase. Follow the directions at the bottom of the screen. Write your responses in the left column of your study guide, also titled VIEW.
- When you complete this step, click the EXPLORE link, and follow directions. What does this part of the exercise say you should be noticing or asking of the photograph? Record those 13 pointers in the right column also titled EXPLORE.
- Apply these skills to the analysis of literature. What have you learned from this exercise that can be applied to reading text, noticing its elements, and interpreting a piece? Write your responses in the box titled APPLY.
- Lastly, click the MORE link and take notes on the facts of the image. Peruse the other images in the series and write any observations of effects of the photos.
- You are now done with Part I: See Everything.
Part II: Scrutinize a Bearden
This is another visual literacy challenge but with more abstract material. Again, go through the visual challenge and apply it to the interpretation of literature.
- When you open the link you are ready to begin. Study the art work carefully. Enlarge it to see details. Now you are ready to respond thoughtfully to the questions under LOOK CAREFULLY. The subtitles on your study guide match the series of questions. Write your responses there.
- When you have studied the image and responded to the questions, you are ready to do the next part -- move your mouse around the image to learn more. Record what you learn in the right column of your study guide, also titled LEARN MORE.
- Apply these skills to the analysis of literature. What have you learned from this exercise that can be applied to reading difficult/absurdist/ or abstract text, its elements, and an interpretation of the whole? Write your responses in the box titled APPLY.
- You are now done with Part II: Scrutinize a Bearden.
Part III: "Death and the Miser"
Study the painting "Death and the Miser" by Hieronymous Bosch. This painting measures 12"x36.5"
Info: Painted in 1485 by Hieronymous Bosch, Death and the Miser is an allegorical work of art that reflects the impact of religion and disease on European society during the Middle Ages. The painting focuses on an old miser dying in his bed and staring at a shrouded skeleton walking through the door. The same miser is depicted again at the bottom of the painting as a younger and healthier man placing coins into a lockbox.
DIRECTIONS:
Info: Painted in 1485 by Hieronymous Bosch, Death and the Miser is an allegorical work of art that reflects the impact of religion and disease on European society during the Middle Ages. The painting focuses on an old miser dying in his bed and staring at a shrouded skeleton walking through the door. The same miser is depicted again at the bottom of the painting as a younger and healthier man placing coins into a lockbox.
DIRECTIONS:
- Sketch and label (with short concrete phrases) the major elements in the painting. Examine the details closely and include them in your sketch, but don't worry about making an exact copy of the painting.
- Write a 3-5 sentence "pre-analysis" description of what is happening in the painting.
- Next, go to the Death and the Miser Interactive. Type your name and begin. You will answer questions about the relationship of PARTS of the painting to the meaning of the WHOLE. You are not limited to just the three lines, so be sure to fully explain your ideas. After typing your responses, click the box closed on the X, and move to the next part of the painting.
- When you are done with each part, click FINISH. Then, click STEP 2. Your responses will be printed. Staple them to your packet.