1. An Introduction to Literary Analysis
Honor English I
You should be taking notes…

2. What makes a text difficult to interpret or understand?
The characteristics that make a text difficult to understand are the same characteristics that the reader must analyze.
Remember to RR.SS.V.P.

3. What makes a text difficult cont’d
Relationship- the interaction among idea and/or characters in a text
Richness- the amount of sophistication of information conveyed through data (nonfiction) or literary devices (fiction)
Structure- how the text is organized and how it progresses.
Style- the tone and use of language (sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text)
Voice-diction (word choice)
Purpose- the author’s intent in writing the text

4. How do we begin to effectively interpret literature?
In Honors English we will view literature through the lens of New Criticism.

5. New Criticism
Using the text to interpret itself by focusing on the questions:
What did the author say?
How did the author say it?
What does it really mean?
Why is it significant?

6. The Tools of the New Critic
Device
Definition
Purpose
Metaphor
An implied comparison between two unlike things, one tangible and one intangible
Makes abstract concepts concrete for the reader
Diction
The author’s choice of words
Foundation of all the other elements. Reflects and determines the level of formality and shape the reader’s perceptions
Detail
Facts, observations, and incidents
Develops a topic by bringing life an color to description, focusing the readers attention and bringing the reader into the scene

7. Tools of the New Critic Continued
Device
Definition
Purpose
Imagery
Verbal representation of a sense experience
Evokes a vivid experience, conveying a specific emotion, and suggesting a particular idea
Syntax
Grammatical sentence structure (includes verb-tense, punctuation, and word order) and the way the words are arranged within sentences
Imparts personality to the writing and allows the writer to control emphasis to shift the reader’s attention
Tone
Expression of attitude, the writers implied attitude toward his subject and audience
Sets the relationship between the reader and writer. Understanding tone is necessary to understanding meaning

8. The Tools of The New Critic Continued
Device
Definition
Purpose
Setting
The setting is the time and location of the action in a story.
In some stories, the setting is just a backdrop. However, in other stories, the setting can shed light on the theme. Pay attention to how the setting relates to characters and events and if descriptions of the setting include words with strong emotional associations.
Characters
Characters are the people who take part in the action of the story.
Their motivations, experiences almost always relate to the theme. Notice if the characters change and how they change, what the character learns and if so what, and what you learn from the characters’ thoughts and appearance.

9. Tools of the New Critic Continued
Device
Definition
Purpose
Allusion
A reference in a work of literature to a character, place, or situation from another work of literature, music or art.
Allows the author to communicate information without stating it outright.
Foreshadowing
The use of clues by an author to prepare readers for events that will happen later in the text.
Unifies the text and keeps the reader engaged.
Flashback
A device that informs the audience about events that happened before the opening scene of the text.
Allows the author to manipulate time in the text and information presented to build interest and suspense.

10. The tools of the New Critic Continued
Device
Definition
Purpose
Symbols
Any story element, whether an object, a person, a place, an animal, an action, or an image that has both a literal and a deeper meaning.
To communicate abstract/intangible thoughts, messages, and ideas to the reader. Notice story elements that repeat or that have strong emotional content
Conflict and Plot
Conflicts are the struggles characters face. Plot is the sequence of events in a story.
Conflicts always spark the plot and are key to the theme. Notice the problems of the characters, how they are resolved, and how the character feels about the resolution.
Theme
The central message or insight into life in a literary work.
May be stated or implied. It is the purpose of the work

11. Certain Literary devices are intertwined- Structure and Plot
Structure- how the text is organized and how it progresses. Events in the plot can be presented in a variety of orders:
A chronological arrangement begins with what happens first, then second, and so on until that last incident is related.
Some stories begin at the end and then lead up to why or how the events worked out as they did.
Some stories jump between the past and present. These stories employee flashback, a device that informs the reader about events that happened before the opening scene of the work.
And still others begin in the middle of things. This is called in medias res.

12. Plot Structure
Exposition- the beginning of a fictional text that is an introduction to characters, setting, and situations.
Conflict- develops the antagonist and creates interest.
Rising Action- adds complications to the conflict and leads to the
Climax- the point of highest emotional involvement
Falling Action- presents the results of the climax
Resolution- gives the final outcome.

13. Character, Structure, detail
Readers often identify with the first character (or narrator) introduced in a literary work- regardless if the character is a “good” or “bad” person.
That is why the protagonist-the central character-, literally the “first known” or “struggle forward or forth,” is considered the hero of the text. While the antagonist-force that opposes the central character-, literally the “one against” is considered the villain.
The amount of detail presented by the author helps the reader to relate to the character.
Static-character does not change vs. Dynamic- character does change during the course of the text.
Flat- reveal only one personality trait vs. Round- show a variety (sometime contradictory traits)
Stereotyped-common character types whose actions are predictable.
Direct characterization- The writer or narrator simply tells the reader about a character. This is done so that all the readers will have the same interpretation of the character.
Indirect characterization- The writer gives clues to a character by presenting the character’s actions words, and thoughts and by showing how others react to the character. This allows the reader to make inferences and allows for a variety of interpretations of a character.

14. Point of view, tone, irony
Point of view is the relationship of the storyteller to the story.
First person point of view is told by one of the characters referred using the pronoun “I”. This perspective allows the reader to identify with the narrator.
Limited third person point of view the narrator tells the story from the limited view point of one character, speaking of the character using the pronouns “she” or “he.” This perspective allows the narrator to seem objective.
Omniscient point of view the author acts as an “all knowing” narrator who stands outside the story and can offer more than one character’s perspective. The pronouns “she” or “he” continued to be used. Allows the reader to receive multiple interpretations of common events.

15. Point of view, tone, and irony
The reliability of the narrator is essential in determining tone and irony. The author may use the narrator to directly comment on the action or events or the narrator may be too innocent, emotional or self-deluded to be trusted.
Regardless- the narrators perspective reflects (either by agreeing with or critiquing) the author’s tone- how he feels about the audience or subject of the story.
This can be further developed by the author’s use of irony- the contrast between reality and what seems to be real.
Situational irony exists when what actually happens is the opposite of what the audience expect to happen.
Verbal irony exists when a person says one thing and means another
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience has important information that characters in the text do not have.

16. Imagery, Mood, and Setting
The setting is created by the use of a variety of images. These images are consciously constructed to create a particular reaction in the audience. This experience will often evoke a particular emotion (the mood) in the reader.

17. Stylistic devices
Personification, metaphor, simile, symbols, hyperbole, allusion, flashback, foreshadowing, suspense all work together to create the overall artistry of the work.

18. Can all of these elements be addressed in one reading?
It is difficult to analyze a text simply by reading it one time or by yourself. It often takes collaboration and practice. If analyzing literature, please expect to complete two readings.
The first reading should be to get the basics of the plot
The second reading is for analysis