Final answer:
A literal interpretation strictly adheres to the most basic and concrete meaning of a text, without examining deeper meanings, context, or themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
An interpretation that looks only at the shallow surface meaning of a text is called a literal interpretation. Literal interpretation involves understanding words in their most basic sense without any inferential meaning or metaphorical implication.
This contrasts with figurative interpretation, which seeks meaning beyond that which is explicitly stated; contextual interpretation, which takes into account the surrounding circumstances or broader settings that give meaning to a text; and thematic interpretation, which looks for underlying themes or messages.
Literary analysis equals a close reading of a text, where students look not just at what is written—the message or content—but also at how it is said—the language used to send the message, known as form.
This process requires examining various elements such as setting, plot, characters, and figurative language to support interpretations of the text. Students are encouraged to take notes that could form the basis of their first literary analysis essay.