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Literature Historical Biographical Analysis
Literature Historical Biographical Analysis
BIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
WORKSHOP
WITH CAMMY SRAY & ALEXA WINIK
Hist./Bio. Analysis– What Is
It?
Situating the Text: Using the context
surrounding a text to create a “lens” to
interpret that text.
Context—event in author’s life or historical
event/trend that occurred around time of
text
Context—not information that the text itself
provides (though it may allude to)
Using the context to inform your reading of
a text
Difference from New
Critical?
New Critical:
text interpret
In a NC analysis, you start and end with the
text--no outside research/pulling from context.
Hist/Biographical:
context lens text interpret
Pull from the context to shed light on your
reading
Context supplements your understanding of
the text
Historical Analysis
Set up your paper to analyze what historical event/trend
the author had in mind that he/she viewed as significant
Intro: general tension and thesis
Body:
1) prove that this historical event/trend actually occurred and
was prevalent in author’s mind when he/she wrote text
2) prove that the event/trend was significant to the author
*especially important if the author is addressing an era/event that did not occur
around the same time author wrote text.
*use: autobiography, biography, newspapers, letters, correspondences, etc.
3) Use devices to support thesis (Like a NC analysis, but
apply/integrate the context)
Conclusion
Biographical Analysis
Explain the text as a way the author tried to
deal with a personal issue.
Intro: general tension and thesis
Body:
1) Background: prove an issue bothered author
significantly at/near time he/she wrote text
*use: autobiography, biography, newspapers, letters,
correspondences, etc.
2.) Text: use devices to support thesis (like NC),
but apply/integrate the context
Conclusion
Let’s situate…
Read “Reunion”
Look for prevalent literary devices (as
you would for a NC analysis).
Use your background knowledge to shed
light on how the devices function within
the story
Develop some foundational themes
Thesis time!
Don’t forget tenets of thesis:
interpretive/argumentative
specific/precise
accurate
deep
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