1. Literary Analysis Essay Prep

2.  Coming of Age The Catcher in the Rye The Perks of Being a Wallflower  (American) Dreams vs. Reality Of Mice and Men The Glass Menagerie

3. How is American life portrayed during this time?

4.  1950s, New York City “Teenager” culture emerges Clean teens vs. Beatniks/Rebels Behavior Rules:  Don’t think about sex  Hide your emotions

5.  1990s, Pennsylvania Electronic culture (technological advances) The internet! Increased liberal thought Looser behavioral expectations

6.  1930s, California The Great Depression Dust Bowl Migrant workers

7.  1930s, St. Louis The Great Depression Racism “Southern charm”

8. Literary Fight Club

9. LAURA WINGFIELDPHOEBE CAULFIELD  The Glass Menagerie  Tom’s sister  “Crippled”  Shy  Insecure  Kind  20s, but lives home  Mom tells her what to do  The Catcher in the Rye  Holden’s younger sister  10 years-old  Strong-spirited/sassy  Keeps Holden in line  Emotional

10. STRADLATERLENNIE SMALLS  The Catcher in the Rye  Holden’s roommate  Beats Holden up  “Player”  Arrogant  Athletic  Of Mice and Men  Mental disability  Huge/Strong  Kind-hearted  George (best friend) takes care of him

11. PATRICK “NOTHING”CURLEY  The Perks of Being a Wallflower  Sam’s stepbrother  Charlie’s friend  Gay; in a secret relationship with the quarterback  Kind-hearted/accepting  Frustrated with relationship/lonely  Of Mice and Men  Boss’s son; arrogant  Married to woman who flirts with the other men  “Whipped” by wife  Short/“Napolean Complex”  Aggressive/Picks fights

12.  The Glass Menagerie  Husband left her  Controlling mother of Tom and Laura  Nostalgic for past and 17 gentlemen callers  Overly concerned with appearance CURLEY’S WIFEAMANDA WINGFIELD  Of Mice and Men  Married (unhappily) to Curley  Flirts with guys on farm  Mean-spirited  Killed by Lennie

13. GEORGE MILTONTOM WINGFIELD  The Glass Menagerie  Hard-working  Dreamy/Longs for something more  Feels trapped  Stubborn  Hot-headed  Of Mice and Men  Best friends with Lennie  Leader – Lennie does what he says  Smart  Hard-working  Aspires to a greater life

14. CANDYCROOKS  Of Mice and Men  One hand  Old  Carlson shoots his dog  Longs for companionship  Eager to work  Of Mice and Men  Black  Crooked back  Frustrated (at society/racism)  Bitter  Isolates self

15. CHARLIEHOLDEN CAULFIELD  The Perks of Being a Wallflower  Mentally unstable (ends up in mental hospital)  Emotional  Scared  Innocent  Desperate for friends  Loyal to those he loves  The Catcher in the Rye  Mentally unstable (ends up in mental hospital)  Tries to hide emotions  Only friend is sister  In love with Jane  Liar  Mean/Rude  Thinks everything is phony

16. SAMJANE  The Perks of Being a Wallflower  Charlie is in love with her  He thinks she’s perfect  Older/More mature  Jaded  Understanding  The Catcher in the Rye  Holden is in love with her  He thinks she’s perfect  Childhood friends/neighbors  Protects herself/doesn’t like feeling vulnerable  Respects herself  Mature

17. What are some overlapping themes/concepts?

18.  What essay questions might you see on your midterm?  How will you respond to these questions?

19.  Your essay should be argument-based  You NEED a thesis  Support your thesis with specific text references  Tie all support back to your thesis  Follow instructions in your conclusion