4-6 pages typed, double-spaced, and in MLA format. Research and analyze one or more works from the textbook. You should have at least 3 sources to support your analysis. Sources may include historical documents, other critical analysis, etc.
Directions:
We have covered a lot of material thus far this semester. In this assignment, I’d like you to select one or two writers to analyze. To help you with this analysis I have listed below several schools of literary criticism. You may approach this analytical essay by focussing on themes and/or by using these “lenses” / schools of criticism.
For the students who are Literature majors, it is important to be familiar with this list as you will discover that it is comprehensive of the types of reading that can be accomplished within the discipline. For those of you who are not Literature majors, this list gives you insight into a broad range of approaches to literary analysis.
Moral Criticism-(c .360 BCE–present)—What does the work say about life and how we should live? What is good and bad behavior that the text depicts and why? Is there a specific moral lesson that can be drawn from the text?
Formalism, New Criticism, Neo-Aristotelian Criticism (1930s-present)-What does the structure of the story or poetry say about Literature? How does the form of the piece relate to other literary forms? What functions and /or effects does the structure have on the audience?
Psychoanalytic Criticism (1930s-present)—What are the psychological contexts of the author and or character that motivates the action of the author and or characters?
Marxist Criticism (1930s-present) How does the piece represent the difference between economic class and class struggles in the characters, plot, or scenes? How does the work reinforce or challenge the exploitation of the poor by the rich?
Reader-Response Criticism (1960s-present)—How should the reader be affected by the work? What do you specifically (individually) learn from the text with or without influence from the contexts?
New Historicism/Cultural Studies (1980s-present)—How does the history around the text (historical context) help us understand the text?
Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)—What does the work convey about the power relations between men and women; how does it reinforce or challenge male domination?
Critical Race Theory (1970s-present)—How does the text convey issues of Race and Racism? What assumptions about race and power struggles does the work present? How are the characters developed within the context of our history of racism and what norms are reinforced or challenged?
Learning Objectives:
Distinguish elements of fiction such as plot, theme, character and setting and apply this knowledge to the works of major American novelists of the period.
Analyze and interpret themes found in the literature and intellectual movements of the period.
Demonstrate understanding of appropriate academic discourse and the conventions of critical literary analysis
Demonstrate comprehension of the above through class discussion, written exams, and essays using appropriate citation form.
