OBJECTIVES

 Define literary analysis

 Understand purpose of literary analysis
 Understand the components of good writing:
depth, complexity, quality
 Tips for effective analysis
 Analysis of Literary Elements: diction, conflict,
character, images, symbols, figurative
language, theme and form/style
 LITERARY ANALYSIS

A literary analysis explains a literary

work in a formal essay. The work
(novel, short story, or poem) is
described by the use of the literary
elements and the intention of the
author.
 LITERARY ANALYSIS

 Literary analysis assumes

knowledge of the work and
therefore does not provide a
summary.

 Each analysis paper supports a

clearly defined thesis to be proved
about the work; it is PERSUASIVE.
PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS
The ultimate end of analysis is a deeper
understanding and a fuller appreciation
of the literature –
you learn
to see more,
to uncover or create
richer, denser, more interesting
meanings.
YOU MIGHT BE ASKING---

To begin to analyze written

work a common way of
identifying the qualities that
characterize it as 'good' by
examining its ….
When we are looking deeply into the text we
see that we are formed largely by culture

 we have common human needs

(Remember: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?)
 we experience life with complexity
 our lives hold symbolic and historical
meaning

When you read remember that authors are

demonstrating to us that there is more to life
than our physical sense of it.

Authors seek to define some of the forces and

feelings which give importance to our being.
Think in terms of our human experience as:

 being made up by interacting factors --

environment, character, situation and so
forth, and
 comprised of a number of different elements -
- thought, feeling, sensation, memory,
imagination, significant symbols, culturally-
formed ways of saying and thinking.

Our experience is complex.

 In order to suggest the complexities
and the depth of experience, literature
has to use all of its resources well.

 The more the resources of language

and meaning are used to reveal the
depth and complexity the more we say
this work has QUALITY.
STRATEGIES TO FOLLOW
FOR EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS

 Read the text

 Consider related viewpoints

 Consider literary elements

Quick Tips Critical viewpoint
Political viewpoint: consider how
political systems and politics are
portrayed in the work;
Feminist viewpoint: consider how the
work portrays women and approaches
gender roles;
Ethnic viewpoint: consider how ethnic
groups are portrayed within the work
Quick Tips Critical viewpoint
Consider other perspectives where appropriate

 religious
 psychological
 belief systems

The caution here is to accurately represent the

text and support all interpretations by evidence
in the text.
First….

and read the novel. Take

notes along the way,
considering the literary
elements while you read
Literary Elements
CHARACTER
Consider what consistent qualities the character
has, what motivates the character, what
complexities the character shows, does the
character change or remain the same.

Are the characters dynamic, static, round or flat?

Character Types
• Flat Characters: one-sided or less developed characters. These
characters are usually minor characters or represent something
stereotypical.
•Round Characters: are multi-dimensional and are usually the
protagonist. These are more developed characters and seem more
real.
•Dynamic Characters: are characters who go through a significant
change in the story. The protagonist is usually a dynamic character.
•Static Characters: are characters who do not change throughout the
story.

•When we discuss character types, we look for qualities that are:

•Physical – hair color, physical description
•Implied/Inferred – these are characteristics about their
personality (shy, funny, racist, amiable)
Character Types
• In the story Cinderella, how would you describe these
characters?
•The Prince
• Flat and Static
•Cinderella
• Round and Dynamic
•The Evil Stepmother
•Flat and Static
•In describing Cinderella, the writer might say:
•Cinderella is a beautiful, young woman with blonde
hair (physical). She is sweet and kind (implied). She is
the protagonist of the story and is a round, dynamic
character.
Literary Elements
DICTION
Focus on THE WORDS of the work.

Ask:
Is the language clear or does the author use
metaphors and similes?
Is this the language of emotion or reason?
What images are created?
How has dialogue been used? Does it add
meaning to the novel?
CONNOTATION
Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work.

These elements add to the meaning.

 Literary Elements
CONFLICT
List all of the conflicts or tensions in the work and

fill them out with examples or evidence from the work

Draw conclusions about the conflict.

Consider the universal ideas of conflict:

•Man vs. Man
•Man vs. Nature
•Man vs. Society
•Man vs. Self
•Man vs. Religion
•Man vs. Machine
•Man vs. Supernatural
THEME
 As you already know, theme is the central idea or
message the author is sharing with the reader.
 It does not make a judgment.
For example: “Drugs are bad” is not a theme.
 It merely states something that is true about life
and the human condition.
 Your theme is the opinion component of your
thesis statement.
Literary Elements
THEME
Look for the meaning in the
text, but don’t settle for the
first thing you see.

Make a list of all possible

themes stated in complete
sentences and in universal
terms

Example:
One theme of “The Pearl” is
that greed can be a destructive
force.
How do I find the THEME?
 Read the entire
novel.
 Consider the literary
elements.
 What message are
the literary elements
trying to convey to
the reader?
 What is the author
trying to say about
life?
Literary Elements Each genre or type of
literature has its own
FORM/STYLE principles of style and
form.
Poetry
is Fiction is examined by
examined considering narrative
through point of view, setting,
word choice or
rhyme, rhythm, characterization.
sound devices,
and format

Drama’s unique element is staging, the

props, actors’ gestures, lighting, the set, and
visual effects.
ATTITUDE
Tone is the attitude of the
speaker toward the novel.
Literary Elements
IMAGES
Most literature can be analyzed through
images and symbols.

Scan the work, listing images, symbols,

searching for patterns and repetitions.

Write down page references and your first

interpretations.
 REFERENCES
Bauman, M. G. (2007). Ideas & details: A guide to college writing. Massachusetts: Thomson

Wadsworth: 273-307.

Images from Microsoft Office 2003 clipart

Knott Poetry Analysis Using TPCASTT retrieved on January 25, 2008 from

images.schoolinsites.com/.../BakerHigh/Uploads/Presentat

ions/Poetry%20Analysis%20Using%20TPCASTTknott.ppt

Lye, J. (2000). Critical reading: A guide. Retrieved August 15, 2003 from

http://www.brocku.ca/english/jlye/criticalreading.html
Poetry explications. (2007). The Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Retrieved on January 17, 2009 from
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html

Quotations about Poetry, (2008). The Quote Garden: A Harvest of Quotes for Word Lovers

Retrieved on January 30, 2008 from http://www.quotegarden.com/poetry.html

Quick Tips Reading
 Read s l o w l y, p a y a t t e n t i o n to
every word

 Use your gut (initial) reactions

 Take notes on your impressions and

observations

 Try to discover the author’s purpose--

research what the authors have said about
their work or historical events that relate to the
work