literary analysis, criticism and theory. what is a literary analysis? literary analysis involves...
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Literary Analysis, Literary Analysis, Criticism and TheoryCriticism and Theory
What is a Literary Analysis?What is a Literary Analysis?Literary analysis involves breaking a
text’s structure and content into smaller parts to gain a better understanding
An analysis of a literary work may discuss:◦ How various components of an individual text
relate to each other◦ How two separate literary texts deal with
similar concepts or forms◦ How concepts and forms in literary texts
relate to larger aesthetic, political, social, economic, or religious contexts
How is a Literary Analysis an How is a Literary Analysis an Argument?Argument?
When writing a literary analysis, you will focus on specific attribute(s) of the text(s)
When discussing these attributes, you will want to ensure that you are making a specific, arguable point—a thesis—about these attributes
You will defend this point with reasons and evidence drawn from the text
Overview of Literary AnalysisOverview of Literary AnalysisWhen writing a literary analysis:
◦Be familiar with literary terms◦Analyze specific passages, concepts,
ideas, or devices◦Make an argument◦Make appropriate use of secondary
sources◦Consult instructor for help when
needed
Literary Theory and Literary Theory and Criticism: An IntroductionCriticism: An Introduction
Literary theory is as old as literature itself (i.e. Aristotle’s Poetics)
All literary criticism (and all reading) is informed by theory
It is designed to provide tools for the appreciation and understanding of the richness and evocative power of literature
It is a specific guiding lens through which to view and analyze a text
Students have generally acquired a highly sophisticated array of interpretive techniques—though they may not be aware
That a reader does not consciously approach literature from any particular theoretical perspective (or lens) does not, however, necessarily mean that he/she is not using theory to inform his/her analysis
So, you can use theory unconsciously or with full critical awareness
How Do I Use Literary Theory?
Traditional Theoretical Traditional Theoretical Approaches to Literary Approaches to Literary
CriticismCriticismBiographical Criticism = the text is
illuminated through a discussion of the experiences and opinions of its author
Philosophical Criticism = the text is compared to a well-known philosophical concept
Historical Criticism = the text is illuminated by a close study of the historical context in which it was written, thus presumably allowing the work to be understood much in the way it would have been understood by its original audiences
Types of Literary Theory and Types of Literary Theory and CriticismCriticism
Theory is a large and complex field, and there are many types of theory with distinctively different theoretical assumptions and goals:
New Historicist CriticismNew CriticismFeminist CriticismPostcolonial CriticismPsychoanalytic CriticismMarxist CriticismReader-Response Criticism…. and more!
Example: Postcolonial Example: Postcolonial Literary CriticismLiterary Criticism
the period after colonialism (when Europeans and North Americans occupied less developed countries in Africa, South America, Asia)
opposition to colonial oppressionoften focuses on race relations and the
effects of racism and usually indicts white and/or colonial societies
explores previously silenced voices and perspectives to create new narratives and histories
““The Red Wheelbarrow” The Red Wheelbarrow” William Carlos William Carlos
WilliamsWilliams
so much dependsupon
a red wheelbarrow
glazed with rainwater
beside the whitechickens
““The Red Wheelbarrow” from a The Red Wheelbarrow” from a Postcolonial Theory PerspectivePostcolonial Theory Perspective
The poem seems to present a direct opposition between the wheelbarrow, a human-made technological implement, and the chickens, which can be taken (as can the rain) to represent nature. A postcolonial critic might see this “culture vs. nature” opposition in the following way:
““The Red Wheelbarrow” from a The Red Wheelbarrow” from a Postcolonial Perspective Postcolonial Perspective cont’dcont’d
The wheelbarrow can be seen as a symbol of European technology and the chickens as representative of the less technologically advanced postcolonial world. In that case, the “so much” that depends on the wheelbarrow might have very negative connotations, suggesting the crucial role played by technology in European and North American imperial (and later economic) domination of most of the rest of the globe.
Now you try it!Now you try it!See the “Literary Criticism
Poster” handout so that you can try this type of analysis with your group!