OBJECTIVES

Define literary analysis Understand purpose of literary analysis Understand the components of good writing:

depth, complexity, quality Tips for effective analysis Analysis of Literary Elements: diction, conflict,

character, images, symbols, figurative language, theme and form/style

LITERARY ANALYSISLITERARY ANALYSIS

A literary analysis explains a literary A literary analysis explains a literary work in a formal essay. The work work in a formal essay. The work (novel, short story, or poem) is (novel, short story, or poem) is described by the use of the literary described by the use of the literary elements and the intention of the elements and the intention of the author. author.

LITERARY ANALYSISLITERARY ANALYSIS

Literary analysis assumes Literary analysis assumes knowledge of the work and knowledge of the work and therefore therefore does not does not provide a provide a summary.summary.

Each analysis paper supports a Each analysis paper supports a clearly defined thesis to be proved clearly defined thesis to be proved about the work; it is PERSUASIVE.about the work; it is PERSUASIVE.

PURPOSE OF ANALYSISPURPOSE OF ANALYSIS

The ultimate end of analysis is a deeperThe ultimate end of analysis is a deeper

understanding and a fuller appreciationunderstanding and a fuller appreciation

of the literature – of the literature –

you learn you learn

to see more, to see more,

to uncover or create to uncover or create

richer, denser, more interestingricher, denser, more interesting

meanings. meanings.

To begin to analyze written To begin to analyze written work a common way of work a common way of identifying the qualities that identifying the qualities that characterize it as 'good' by characterize it as 'good' by examining its ….examining its ….

YOU MIGHT BE ASKING---

When we are looking deeply into the text we When we are looking deeply into the text we see that we are formed largely by culture see that we are formed largely by culture

we have we have common human needscommon human needs (Remember: Maslow(Remember: Maslow’’s Hierarchy of Needs?)s Hierarchy of Needs?)

we we experienceexperience life with life with complexitycomplexity our lives hold our lives hold symbolicsymbolic and and historical historical

meaningmeaning

When you read remember that authors areWhen you read remember that authors aredemonstrating to us that there is more to lifedemonstrating to us that there is more to lifethan our physical sense of it. than our physical sense of it.

Authors seek to define some of the Authors seek to define some of the forces andforces andfeelingsfeelings which give which give importance importance to our being. to our being.

Think in terms of our human experience as: Think in terms of our human experience as:

being made up by interacting factors -- being made up by interacting factors -- environment, character, situation and so forth, environment, character, situation and so forth, and and

comprised of a number of different elements -- comprised of a number of different elements -- thought, feeling, sensation, memory, thought, feeling, sensation, memory, imagination, significant symbols, culturally-imagination, significant symbols, culturally-formed ways of saying and thinking.formed ways of saying and thinking.

Our experience is complex. Our experience is complex.

In order to suggest the In order to suggest the complexities and the depth of complexities and the depth of experience, literature has to use all of experience, literature has to use all of its resources well.its resources well.

The more the resources of The more the resources of language and meaning are used to language and meaning are used to reveal the depth and complexity the reveal the depth and complexity the more we say this work has QUALITY. more we say this work has QUALITY.

STRATEGIES TO FOLLOW STRATEGIES TO FOLLOW FOR EFFECTIVE ANALYSISFOR EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS

ReadRead the text the text

Consider related Consider related viewpointsviewpoints Consider Consider literary elementsliterary elements

Quick Tips Quick Tips Critical viewpointCritical viewpoint

Political viewpointPolitical viewpoint: consider how : consider how political systems and politics are political systems and politics are portrayed in the work;portrayed in the work;Feminist viewpointFeminist viewpoint: consider how the : consider how the work portrays women and approaches work portrays women and approaches gender roles; gender roles; Ethnic viewpoint:Ethnic viewpoint: consider how ethnic consider how ethnic groups are portrayed within the work groups are portrayed within the work

Quick Tips Quick Tips Critical viewpointCritical viewpoint

Consider other perspectives where appropriateConsider other perspectives where appropriate

religiousreligious psychologicalpsychological belief systemsbelief systems

The The cautioncaution here is to here is to accurately represent the accurately represent the text text and support all interpretations by evidence and support all interpretations by evidence in the text. in the text.

First….First….

and and read the novel. read the novel. Take Take notes along the way, notes along the way,

considering the literary considering the literary elements while you readelements while you read

STOP

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements CHARACTERCHARACTER

Consider what consistent qualities the character has, what motivates the character, what complexities the character shows, does the character change or remain the same.

Are the characters dynamic, static, round or flat?

Character TypesCharacter Types• Flat Characters: one-sided or less developed characters. These characters are usually minor characters or represent something stereotypical.•Round Characters: are multi-dimensional and are usually the protagonist. These are more developed characters and seem more real.•Dynamic Characters: are characters who go through a significant change in the story. The protagonist is usually a dynamic character.•Static Characters: are characters who do not change throughout the story.

•When we discuss character types, we look for qualities that are:•Physical – hair color, physical description•Implied/Inferred – these are characteristics about their personality (shy, funny, racist, amiable)

Character TypesCharacter Types• In the story Cinderella, how would you describe these characters?

•The Prince • Flat and Static

•Cinderella• Round and Dynamic

•The Evil Stepmother•Flat and Static

•In describing Cinderella, the writer might say:•Cinderella is a beautiful, young woman with blonde hair (physical). She is sweet and kind (implied). She is the protagonist of the story and is a round, dynamic character.

Literary Elements Literary Elements

DICTIONDICTION

Focus on of the work.Focus on of the work. Ask:Ask:

Is the language clear or does the author use Is the language clear or does the author use metaphors and similes?metaphors and similes?

Is this the language of emotion or reason?Is this the language of emotion or reason?What images are created?What images are created?How has dialogue been used? Does it add How has dialogue been used? Does it add

meaning to the novel?meaning to the novel?

THE WORDSTHE WORDS

CONNOTATIONCONNOTATION

Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work.Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work.

These elements add to the meaning.These elements add to the meaning.

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements CONFLICTCONFLICT

THEMETHEME

As you already know, theme is the As you already know, theme is the central idea or central idea or message message the author is sharing with the reader.the author is sharing with the reader.

It It does not make a judgmentdoes not make a judgment..

For example: For example: ““Drugs are badDrugs are bad”” is not a theme. is not a theme. It merely It merely states something that is true about life states something that is true about life

and the human conditionand the human condition.. Your theme is the opinion component of your

thesis statement.

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

THEMETHEME

Look for the meaning in the text, but don’t settle for the first thing you see.

Make a list of all possible themes stated in complete sentences and in universal terms

Example:One theme of “The Pearl” is that greed can be a destructive force.

How do I find the THEME?How do I find the THEME? Read the entire Read the entire

novel.novel. Consider the literary Consider the literary

elements.elements. What message are What message are

the literary elements the literary elements trying to convey to trying to convey to the reader?the reader?

What is the author What is the author trying to say about trying to say about life?life?

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements FORM/STYLEFORM/STYLE

Poetry is examined through rhyme, rhythm, sound devices, and format

Each genre or type of literature has its own principles of style and form.

Fiction is examined by considering narrative point of view, setting, word choice or characterization.

Drama’s unique element is staging, the props, actors’ gestures, lighting, the set, and visual effects.

ATTITUDEATTITUDE

ToneTone is the attitude of the is the attitude of thespeaker toward the novel.speaker toward the novel.

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements IMAGESIMAGES

Most literature can be analyzed through images and symbols.

Scan the work, listing images, symbols, searching for patterns and repetitions.

Write down page references and your first interpretations.

REFERENCESREFERENCESBauman, M. G. (2007). Ideas & details: A guide to college writing. Massachusetts: Thomson

Wadsworth: 273-307.

Images from Microsoft Office 2003 clipart

Knott Poetry Analysis Using TPCASTT retrieved on January 25, 2008 from

images.schoolinsites.com/.../BakerHigh/Uploads/Presentat ions/Poetry%20Analysis

%20Using%20TPCASTTknott.ppt

Lye, J. (2000). Critical reading: A guide. Retrieved August 15, 2003 from

http://www.brocku.ca/english/jlye/criticalreading.html

Poetry explications. (2007). The Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Retrieved on January 17, 2009 from

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html

Quotations about Poetry, (2008). The Quote Garden: A Harvest of Quotes for Word Lovers

Retrieved on January 30, 2008 from http://www.quotegarden.com/poetry.html

Quick Tips Quick Tips ReadingReading

Read Read s l o w l y, p a y a t t e n t i o ns l o w l y, p a y a t t e n t i o n to to every wordevery word

Use your Use your gut (initial) reactionsgut (initial) reactions

Take notes Take notes onon your impressions and your impressions and observationsobservations

Try to Try to discover the authordiscover the author’’s purposes purpose--research --research what the authors have said about their work or what the authors have said about their work or historical events that relate to the workhistorical events that relate to the work