When analyzing a literary work, the most important strategy is to read the text several times, each time unveiling a new layer to the writing and its meaning. According to Sharon James McGee, author of "Analyzing Literature," the first time you read a literary work, the intent should be to get the gist of the plot, characters and theme. Subsequent readings allow you to look deeper, take in the meanings of words used by the writer, think about the characters and how they speak and what they do. If you own a copy of the text in question, you can read with specific questions in mind and write notes in the margins and underline or highlight words, phrases and content that appear relevant or meaningful to your questions. It can take time to fully understand and comprehend the complexity of many texts.
Many writers make liberal use of figurative language, such as similes, metaphors and personification. Using figurative language draws connections between characters and events, establishes symbols and makes the reading process often more interesting and varied. Examine how a writer puts figurative language to use in a literary work and if the imagery used reveals something more about the perspective of the writer, the characters and/or the plot.
According to the University of Central Missouri, the repetition of ideas, images, sounds, situations and words may highlight significant aspects of a literary work. For example, Edward Rochester mentions several times throughout the book "The Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys the intensely sweet-smelling flowers, giving clues to his character and linking the flowers to his abusive treatment of his young wife. You can also look for words, images or actions that appear ironic. As you find these patterns in a text, either bookmark or underline them so that it is either to refer to them again later on.
Once you have read and re-read a text several times and discovered the relevant patterns, uses of language and plot devices occurring within a text, it will be much easier to identify what are the most important ideas contained within the literary work in question. What is this literary work really about? What is the theme or themes? Is "The Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys a story about post-colonial racism, or is it really about the oppression of women in the 19th century? The answer to these questions depends on the subjective views and perspective of the readers, and the conclusions drawn from the deeper analysis of a literary work.
Putting together a thesis statement about a literary work can be done in a few short sentences or in the space of a longer essay. This is a process that helps to clarify in your mind your analysis of the text, and is often required when a literary analysis is for school assignments, work or for research. According to the North Virginia Community College, the most important thing to remember when putting together an analysis of a literary is that you can always argue for your personal interpretation of a selected text -- so long as you supply evidence to support your conclusions. Evidence should come directly from the text itself in the form of quotes that clearly support your theory, argument or viewpoint.