S.T.A.R. approach to understanding and appreciating literary texts- a detailed explanation

Not the sunset, but the beginning of every story that is waiting to be told.

SETTING
who? when? why? what? where? how?
narrator - point of view
style of storytelling, tone and mood
characterisation - physical / mental / social / moral / political / cultural 
setting and atmosphere
time and location

• An accurate understanding of SETTING is crucial because you will then be confident and able to suggest with some certainty where to place yourself as a reader when you are engaging the text - who? when? why? what? where? how? the story unfolds. First and foremost, always ASK, THINK and DECIDE for yourself:  WHO IS TELLING THE STORY and HOW IT IS BEING TOLD?

What might the three witches be brewing for Macbeth this time?

TROUBLE
Why is the story highlighted to you?
What is the TRIGGER?
What is the ISSUE?
What is the REASON for the story to be written?
What is the nature of the CONFLICT - differences in thinking and feelings > contradiction > disagreement > tiff > squabble > fisticuffs > fight> struggle > battle > war ...

    What has Marco to do with his rival in love?

Do you think they could resolve their differences? 

- A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller

 ACTION
Setting + Trouble + Characters = Action
How does a character unfold?
How does a character develop himself or herself?
How does a character react to another character?
How do they affect each other?
How do they affect other people?
How do they resolve their "TROUBLE"?
How do they escalate their "TROUBLE"?

• If we accept that the study of Literature is the study of the human condition, we will understand the nature of the human struggle for existence, survival, supremacy and power and so on. 

RESOLUTION
Every account has to come to an end.
Resolution = Conclusion
Is there a conclusion? If not so, why not?
How does the story come to an end?
How does the writer bring the story to an end?
Are you pleased with the ending? If so, why? If not so, why?