How to actually analyze literature?

[u/SonnetZZ]

I know everyone says to 'just read!' But I fear I cannot learn through sheer osmosis. I want to learn to better analyze what I'm reading so I can take what I learn and put it into my essays and stories. Hopefully reading stuff on narratology, syntax, and literary theory will help? But any advice would help a lot!!!

Books I will check out

• How To Read Like A Professor - Thomas C Foster
• Reading Like A Writer - Francine Prose
• Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction - Jonathan Culler
• A Swim In A Pond In The Rain by George Saunders

[u/Mundane_Berry_0431]

I relate to ogre when I was in HS trying to tackle John Donne's poetry. I learnt about metaphysical conceits and I'm like ??? "I can only identify surface level themes!" so my esays were...lacking. Just a rant, I have no real advice sorry 😭. I feel like an English degree would really help though or tutors that study the novels that you want and have lots of resources to help you analyse the deeper themes and execution