In a section labelled “Context,” briefly explain how the passage you have chosen fits inwith the rest of the text.

Details:• 2.5-3 pages. Four pages is the absolute maximum for this assignment. We will stopreading at the end of the fourth page.• You will write two of these assignments. Each is worth 175 points.• You must complete both of these assignments to pass the course.What is close-reading?Close-reading is a method of literary analysis that privileges the specific over the general withthe ultimate goal of illuminating or complicating a larger interpretation of a given text. Closereading may also result in a new interpretation altogether. A focus on a single passage, line, oreven word might very well reveal that an established or widely accepted interpretation of a workor larger passage should be reconsidered. On the other hand, the same approach might lendimportant support to a larger interpretation. In the latter case, this is most satisfying when it doesso with your interpretation of the work, as it enables you to point to specific places in the textwhich support your general ideas.Why is close-reading important to the study of myths?Close-reading is an exceptionally useful way to balance traditional approaches to myths, many ofwhich focus largely on the general as opposed to the specific. An example of one of theseapproaches to myth is Joseph Campbell’s theory that all hero myths follow the same basicstructure—that of the “monomyth.” To put it another way, despite the essentially infinitepossible combinations of actions, settings, and characters which may appear in these stories,Campbell says that all hero myths are at their core essentially the same. Close-reading allows oneto challenge such general approaches to myths in important ways. Maybe a story does seem tofollow Campbell’s ideas, but with some important exceptions, for example, that need to bediscussed. Alternatively, perhaps the details of the story are just too significant to take a backseatto the monomyth. Moreover, close-reading may show that a story does not follow Campbell’sideas at all. Close-reading allows one to evaluate both theories of myths and the mythsthemselves in a sophisticated way by sifting through the details of the story, itself.How to write a close-reading assignment for this class:• Pick a section of a text we are reading in class that you find especially interesting orchallenging. Though it is possible to do a close-reading of an entire work, for ourpurposes you should choose something you can adequately examine in 2.5-3 pages. Thismeans you should choose a paragraph or paragraphs, a stanza or stanzas, a series of lines,etc. to write about (i.e. not an entire Tablet from Gilgamesh or Book from the Odyssey).• Copy/type the section of the text you want to discuss in your assignment at the top yourfirst page. Be sure to cite the passage in a way that makes sense; example: Proserpina, ll.45-55. This portion of the assignment does not count towards your page count. This partshould be single-spaced.• In a section labelled “Context,” briefly explain how the passage you have chosen fits inwith the rest of the text. At most, this should be 3 or 4 sentences. Be as concise as youcan, but make sure that you adequately situate your discussion for the benefit of yourreader. This should be double-spaced.• Under a new heading—you can call it “Discussion”—analyze the passage you havechosen. This should all be double-spaced. Begin with an examination of just the passageyou selected to analyze. What, specifically, does that section mean, and why is thatmeaning important? Then, relate the passage and your analysis of it to the work as awhole. Why is your passage important to the entire story? Your goal here is to interpretthe passage in a way that sheds light on the story a whole or on an important aspect of it.If you have selected a speech, what does this speech tell the reader about the characterwho is speaking it? Does it show he/she has developed in any way? Does it contradictsomething that he/she did or say elsewhere? If it is a description, what does it suggestabout whatever is being described? What is the text trying to tell its reader about thisplace? Why is that important to the rest of the text? Are there similar descriptionselsewhere that might connect to that one? Have you chosen a part of a story you think isespecially difficult to make sense of? What are its possible meanings? What one do youthink is the best, and how does that affect the meaning of the text as a whole? Maybe it isa narration of a fight scene or an exchange of goods or services. Why is it important?How it is essential to the story? Etc.Some tips:o Success in these assignments depends on what you choose to analyze, so chooseyour passage wisely. If something seems mundane or straightforward to you, thenit might not make for the best analysis.o Think about what you want to write on well in advance of the due date.o Run ideas by me if you are unsure how to proceed.o Do not summarize the text in your analysis. Focus only on your examination ofthe text.o Listen in class. We will discuss problematic passages often. These are fair gamefor these assignments.o If you want to reference other parts of the text that’s fine, but don’t bother quotingthem unless it is absolutely necessary. A simple reference to another part of thestory is all you should typically need.o A good way to consider whether a passage is a good fit for this assignment is toimagine what the story would be like without the passage you have in mind. Howwould the passage’s absence change the story? The answer to that question shouldgive you a hint about the section’s purpose and importance.o Limit yourself to the text. Do not bring in any outside research.