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Literary Analysis

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Title: Literary Analysis


1
Literary Analysis
2
The great writers of fiction speak to and inform
the universal human heart and mind. They warn us
of what we should and should not do or be.
Furthermore, they do not tell us these human
truths, they show us through character
development, setting symbolism, and all the other
tools at their disposal. Fiction informs the
human heart about the truth of our existence.
3
Human Behavior
Consequence of Action
Authors use. . .
The particular and concrete
To illustrate or explain the general, the
abstract, or the whole
4
Typical Types of Literary Analysis
  • Compare the effect of one element on another
  • One character's development
  • Comparison contrast of two characters, symbols,
    settings
  • Compare one text to another
  • Discuss the effect of one scene on the entire
    work
  • Etc., etc. etc.

5
Compare the effect of one element on another
You may show how. . .
One Character
affects
The meaning of the whole work
6
One Characters Development
Stage One
Stage Two
Stage Three
Why this is important!
Dont forget to tell. . .
7
Compare and Contrast two characters, symbols,
settings, etc.
Setting One
Setting Two
What the differences show us.
Dont forget to tell. . .
8
Formulating a Thesis
Step 1 THINK Brainstorm, free-write, talk to
others, make a jot list
9
As you consider different ideas,
  • Ask yourself. . .
  • What will this idea enable me to say about the
    works meaning and significance?
  • What in the work will I be able to use as support
    for this idea?

10
Remember! A good thesis statement should
  • Contain the authors name and the book title
    (underlined!)
  • Contain the specific literary element to be
    investigated (NAME the character, symbol, or
    setting you will be analyzing!!)
  • Point to some idea of significance in the work,
    or
  • have an argumentative edge
  • Be written in present tense
  • NOT be written in passive voice
  • Be grammatically clear and correct
  • Never use 1st or 2nd person
  • Never refer to the reader or to todays
    society

11
Examples of bad, bad, bad thesis statements
Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice contains
romance and suspense.
George Orwells 1984 shows a bad state of
civilization.
Forresters Room with a View contrasts greatly
with today.
(These are all too broad and vague)
12
. . .and more examples of bad thesis statements
The characters in Jane Austens Pride and
Prejudice show pride and prejudice.
Symbolism in George Orwells 1984 is important to
the theme.
Settings in Forresters Room with a View are
crucial.
(These are all too abstract they need to be
concrete and specific!)
13
Examples of good thesis statements
In George Orwells 1984 he uses political
propaganda to illustrate the corruption of a
totalitarian government. In his novel Tess of the
DUrbervilles, Thomas Hardy exhibits his
pessimistic view of life through the intensity of
his dark settings.
14
More examples of good thesis statements
In Forresters novel A Room with a View, the
character Lucy Honeychurch illustrates the idea
that love conquers all by undergoing three
distinct stages of development that end in her
realization of her love for George. The
characters Anne Elliott and Lady Russell in Jane
Austens Persuasion are parallel to the
characters in the fairy tale Cinderella, showing
that the virtuous can be triumphant over
adversity.
15
More examples of good thesis statements
Conrad uses the setting of the jungle, which
actually represents the heart of immense
darkness, to symbolize the insanity, obsession,
and barbarism that invade the mind of his main
character, Kurtz. The demonic character
Heathcliff in Brontes novel Wuthering Heights
demonstrates the romantic theme that people
repeat the evil treatment that they endure as
children.
16
Bibliographic Entry Preliminary Thesis are due
next class
  • The bibliographic entry must be correctly
    formatted.
  • Use the Cobb County Guide to Research
  • OR
  • Check out the Citation Machine at
  • Turn both in on a piece of notebook paper use
    ink only make sure its legible.

http//citationmachine.net/
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