2. LITERARY ANALYSIS

3. Literary Analysis §Purpose: §to share insights with your readers on a literary work

4. Rationale: § Increases reader’s (& writer’s) understanding, appreciation of work § Develops ability to think critically and independently § Strengthens writing ability § Aids in learning more about self, others, life

5. LITERARY ANALYSIS  Tests the accuracy of our response  Protects us against uncritical stock responses  Helps us suspend judgment till the story is understood as a whole

6. The Basic Questions  What happens?  To whom?  Why?

7. Analysis of Plot: 4 key elements of plot Exposition Climax Denouement* * Pronounced as “day-noo-MAWN”, (It’s French) noun: 1. The final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work. Complication a.k.a. “Resolution”

8. Conflicts  Man vs. Man  Man vs. Self  Man vs. Environment  Man vs. God The essence of plot is the existence of conflict.

9. Plot  What are the conflicts?  Why do they occur?  What does the plot reveal?  Is the problem left unsolved? Why?

10. Analysis of Setting §Natural Setting l Hostile Force l Friendly Force §Man-made Setting l Reveals character of those who inhabit it

11. Setting §Time of day §Amount of light §Flora and fauna §Sounds §Weather §Clothing §Smells §Descriptions

12. Questions to ask about Setting §What is it? §What contribution is made by using this setting? §How is it effective in commenting on theme, characters, tone?

13. Character: Indicated in four ways §By what the character says §By what the character does §By what other characters say about him/her §By what the author says about him/her

14. Questions to ask about Character §Why do the characters act as they do? §Are the characters consistent in behavior? §Is there a change in behavior? Why?

15. Analysis of Theme (Controlling Idea) §What is it? §What does it mean? §How is it developed? §Is there unity?

16. Ask “Who tells the story?” Analysis of Point of View Ask “Who tells the story?” §First person narrator §Objective (Dramatic narrator) §Limited omniscient narrator §Omniscient narrator

17. Questions to ask about Point of View §What are the advantages? §What are its limitations? §How does the narrator’s mind and personality affect the interpretation? §Why has author chosen this point of view? §Is selected point of view used fairly and consistently?

18. Analysis of Symbolism Symbolism - the use of one object to represent or suggest another

19. Symbolism Any symbolic interpretation must grow directly out of the tones and connotations found in a close literal reading of the story.

20. GUIDELINES OF SOUND CRITICISM

21. SOUND CRITICISM §Interpret a passage in its context, noting such matters as the character, the time, and the author’s purpose.

22. SOUND CRITICISM §Be humble and open-minded, never assuming that yours is the only correct interpretation.

23. SOUND CRITICISM §Accept the theological, political, and social premises the work is founded on.

24. SOUND CRITICISM §Have perspective and see both the forest and the tree.

25. SOUND CRITICISM §Don’t assume that there is a message or hidden meaning everywhere.

26. SOUND CRITICISM §Don’t be so creative that you lose sight of the text and talk about yourself.

27. SOUND CRITICISM §DON’T RETELL THE STORY.

28. Guidelines for writing: §Read work carefully. §Assume audience is familiar with story; don’t rehash plot. §Use third person. §Research outside sources. §Have a clear thesis.

29. Guidelines for writing: §Use evidence from text to support your thesis. §Organize points logically. §Use present tense. §If use quotations, make them few, short, no longer than necessary to prove your point.