Simple Ways to Analyze an English Short Story

Many students feel that analyzing an English short story is difficult and confusing. They think analysis means using complicated theories or academic terms. In fact, analyzing a short story can be simple and enjoyable if you know what to focus on. This article will explain easy and practical ways to analyze an English short story, especially for beginners.

1. Understand the Basic Plot

The first step is to understand what happens in the story. You do not need to understand every word. Focus on:

• Who is involved in the story

• What problem happens

• How the problem is solved

Try to summarize the story in 3–5 simple sentences. If you can do this, it means you already understand the main plot.

---

2. Identify the Main Characters

Next, identify the main character (protagonist) and other important characters. Ask yourself:

• Who is the story mostly about?

• What kind of person is the character?

• Does the character change at the end of the story?

Characters often represent real human experiences, so try to connect their actions with real-life situations.

---

3. Find the Setting

The setting tells us where and when the story takes place. This includes:

• Place (home, school, city, village, etc.)

• Time (past, present, future, day, night, season)

The setting often influences the character’s behavior and the mood of the story. A dark or quiet setting usually creates a serious or sad atmosphere.

---

4. Determine the Theme

The theme is the main idea or message of the story. It is not the plot. To find the theme, ask:

• What does the story tell us about life?

• What lesson can readers learn from the story?

Examples of common themes are love, friendship, sacrifice, honesty, and courage.

---

5. Identify the Conflict

Conflict is the problem in the story. It can be:

• Internal conflict (inside the character’s mind)

• External conflict (between characters or with society)

Understanding the conflict helps you understand why the story develops the way it does.

---

6. Look at the Ending

The ending is very important. Ask yourself:

• Is the ending happy, sad, or open-ended?

• Does the ending solve the conflict?

• What message does the ending leave for the reader?

Sometimes, the meaning of the story becomes clear only at the end.

---

7. Focus on Simple Language Features

You do not need deep linguistic analysis. Just notice:

• Repeated words or ideas

• Simple symbols (objects with deeper meaning)

• Interesting expressions or sentences

These elements help strengthen the story’s message.