(AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE) Literary Analysis (AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE)

OBJECTIVES Define literary analysis Understand purpose of literary analysis Tips for effective analysis Analysis of Literary Elements: diction, conflict, images, symbols, figurative language, theme and form/style

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

LITERARY ANALYSIS Literary analysis assumes knowledge of the work and therefore does not provide a summary. Each analysis paper supports a clearly defined thesis to be proved about the work; it can be PERSUASIVE or INFORMATIVE. You are analyzing WHY!

PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS The ultimate end of analysis is a deeper understanding and a fuller appreciation of the literature – you learn to see more, to uncover or create richer, denser, more interesting meanings.

STRATEGIES TO FOLLOW FOR EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS Read the text Consider related viewpoints Consider literary elements

“How” to Read Read s l o w l y, p a y a t t e n t i o n to every word Use your gut (initial) reactions Take notes on your impressions and observations Try to discover the author’s purpose--research what the authors have said about their work or historical events that relate to the work Use all the skills you’ve used with non-fiction reading. In the back of your mind, think about how the texts can be used with one another. Are they Compared? Contrasted? Etc.

Possible viewpoints Political viewpoint: consider how political systems and politics are portrayed in the work Ethnic viewpoint: consider how ethnic groups are portrayed within the work Societal viewpoint: consider how societies are portrayed within the work Feminist viewpoint: consider how the work portrays women and approaches gender roles

Consider other perspectives where appropriate religious psychological belief systems The caution here is to accurately represent the text and support all interpretations by evidence in the text.

First…. and read the work. Take notes along the way, considering all the stuff you know while you read

Literary Elements DICTION THE WORDS Focus on of the work. Ask: Is the language clear or does the author use metaphors and similes? Is this the language of emotion or reason? What images are created? How has dialogue been used? Does it add meaning to the text? How is it used with the other text?

Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work. CONNOTATION Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work. alliteration metaphor personification diction simile onomatopoeia descriptions HYPERBOLE The author didn’t put this stuff in there because they were bored. Figure out why. These elements add to the meaning.

Consider the conflict List all of the conflicts or tensions in the work and fill them out with evidence from the work. Draw conclusions about the conflicts in both texts, and how they relate to one another. Consider the universal ideas of conflict: Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Self Man vs. Religion Man vs. Machine Man vs. Supernatural

THEME As you already know, theme is the central idea or message the author is sharing with the reader. It does not make a judgment. For example: “Drugs are bad” is not a theme. It merely states something that is true about life and the human condition. Your theme is the opinion component of your thesis statement.

Literary Elements THEME REVENGE 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. INTEGRITY GOOD VS. EVIL POWER INJUSTICE LOVE

How do I find the THEME? Read the entire work. Consider the literary elements. What message are the literary elements trying to convey to the reader? What is the author trying to say about life? Remember, this will be used for FICTIONAL or poetical pieces.

Poetry is examined through rhyme, rhythm, sound devices, and format Each genre or type of literature has its own principles of style and form. Poetry is examined through rhyme, rhythm, sound devices, and format 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.

ATTITUDE Tone is the attitude of the speaker toward the novel.

Literary Elements IMAGES 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.