1. Critical Strategies for Reading & Writing

2. Formalist Examines: 1. Language4. Metaphor7. Characterization 2. Structure5. Plot8. Symbolism 3. Tone6. Setting Uses literary devices to convey meaning Analyzes relationship between literary devices and meaning of text

3. Understanding How to Apply: Formalist Criticism ○ It is understanding written exactly as it is presented within literary devices ○ Helps the reader find the relationship between the form or arrangement of the piece and its meaning ○ There is no focus on the author’s life or the time period the text was written in ○ Focus is strictly upon how literary devices convey meaning

4. Biographical Examines: 1. Actual events which: a. are related to the author’s life b. contain characters based on people the author knows Helps control interpretations Can answer questions or further confuse the reader

5. Applying a Biographical Criticism Female Characters of “Frankenstein” in relation to Mary Shelley’s life: ○ Characters have the same qualities as Shelley - a lack of family support - treated unjustly (Justine) - not credited with wisdom or accomplishments (Safie)

6. Psychological Examines: 1. Dreams 2. Unconscious desires 3. Sexual repression Viewpoint of: 1. Sigmund Freud 2. Founded on psychoanalytic theories

7. Aspects of Psyche: 1. Id (what one should do, right) 2. Ego 3. Superego Oedipus Complex: 1. Male’s unconscious desire for their mother Electra Complex: 1. Female’s unconscious desire for their mother

8. Applying a Psychological Criticism The mental state of Victor of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” can be applied here. ○ Upon evaluation, Victor is not within his right mind. His Id tells him not to bring this creature to life, his superego tells him this will be a great scientific discovery, and his ego chooses to give life to the creature. ○ “Man is made in the image of his creator.” - Victor is mentally ugly because of his self torment and so the creature depicts this in his physical appearance - Once giving in, Victor has committed psycho suicide

9. Historical S SS Strategies Uses literature as a: 1. window into the past 2. hint to the past 3. product of its time period Literary History Criticism: Examines how literature transcends time

10. Examines: 1. Society a. Culture b. Race 2. Political a. Power 3. Economical Change a. Social b. Class Believes all criticism is political in some way Marxist C CC Criticism

11. NewHistorical New Historical Emphasizes: 1. Interaction between the historical context and the modern reader’s interpretation History is reconstructed

12. Applying a Historical/Marxist/New Historical Criticism Mark Twain’s “Huck Finn” can be analyzed using historical criticism. ○ It is a window into the past as it shows the racial inequality, the struggles of a young boy, and the obstacles which can be overcome through friendships ○ It hints to the past because it shows how far we, as a society, have come since this time period ○ It is a product of its time period as it uses language considered offensive today, but that was common during the time the text was written

13. Cultural Criticism Examines: 1. Culture of the time period 2. Normal, values, and beliefs Postcolonial Critiques a piece of writing from a country colonized by another country

14. Applying a Cultural Criticism or Postcolonial Strategy Examine if Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” gives the sense of contempt or hope for the culture. Contempt is seen through: ○ Savages (those in Africa), cannibals ○ Company’s existence ○ Lying (manager, company, Marlow) ○ Corruption of company remains ○ Company is still only concerned with self (greed) Hope is seen through: ○ Kurtz’s death (main evil) ○ Marlow shows light in darkness ○ Hope progresses/increases in darkness ○ Marlow can continue working ○ Lie could also leave hope for intended

15. Gender Examines: 1. Roles of men 2. Roles of women 3. Introduction to gay and lesbian literature

16. Applying a Gender Criticism “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini is a text where a gender lens can be taken to study the roles of women. ○ Persecution of women in Afghanistan and their inferiority as opposed to their freedoms and leadership roles of women in American ○ The social differences between what is acceptable in each country ○ Being a successful woman in American versus being a housewife in Afghanistan ○ Ranking of women in social classes in each country ○ How women are treated in each country: Afghanistan’s women are more of an object and American’s women are their own individuals

17. Mythology Interprets: 1. Hopes, fears, and expectations Focuses on: 1. Symbolic meaning for lives a. Looks for patterns

18. Applying Mythological Criticism Myths which could be applied to Mary Shelley’s, “Frankenstein”: ○ Myth of Prometheus: - steals fire from gods (shows hubris) - knowledge used destructively and productively ○ Myth of Aristophanes - trying to define love - male and female are split - “desire to make whole, complete, and entire what once was whole, complete, and entire.” (creature’s desires)

19. Your Assignment: Choose a text you read over the summer. Either “Beowulf”, “Great Expectations”, or one of your choice books. Then select one of the critical strategies for reading and writing we have discussed and write three AP paragraphs discussing how that criticism is applied to your text.

20. Homework: Pick a text you read last year in your English class and select a criticism you have not previously used and apply it to the text you have chosen. The essay should be three to four paragraphs and you should monitor how long you spend on the essay (pre-writing, writing, and editing) so as to begin preparing yourself to properly manage your time during the AP exam. Good Luck!