Module 1 Section 4
Examining Themes: Building Close Reading Skills
NEXT: After observing the basic details, try to see which of the "things" you identified seem to have special importance.
In a painting like this, look for the prominence, or importance, of the items in the picture. Do you see clues such as repetition, or ideas that seem otherwise emphasized? Is something strange, or out of place? Authors and artists place details purposefully. In the painting, what do you see up close? What details are larger or brighter? These clues point you to what the author or artist thinks is important.
Click and Check: Here are some of the important "things" you may have noticed.
- A pair of legs sticking out of the water (definitely unusual!).
- What appear to be feathers in the air and water near the legs.
- A large ship, with strong wind causing the sails to billow.
- A man plowing a field (this is the closest thing to the viewer, you!).
- A shepherd (what is he looking at?).
- A strange looking building on an island (what is it?).
- The sun.
- A man near the water, pointing (not the largest thing you see, but what is he poionting at?).
