Literary Lenses Seeing the same text in different ways

What are literary lenses? When you analyze literature using a specific approach, it is called using a LENS to study the work Each lens looks at different parts of the text Each lens asks a different set of questions when reading a text By looking at different parts of a text and asking different questions, we can move closer to understanding a text’s theme For each text, some lenses are more appropriate than others!!! A lens is a tool that readers use to interpret and analyze a piece of writing; a lens is NOT a tool used by writers.

Formalist Lens Look for patterns and unity within text How the work uses literary devices to communicate its message Relationship between form and content Search for precision in the use of language Study of thematic patterns No need for outside research

Formalist Lens Of Mice and Men Contrast between peace & violence and dreams & reality Motifs of loneliness, dreams, death, poverty, and marginalization. The parallels between George & Candy and Lennie & Candy’s dog Relationship between the characters’ and their names

Psychological Lens Based on philosophies by Freud Actions are motivated by forces beyond our control Human behavior is moved by sexuality

Some Freudian Terms Id- the source of our aggressions and desires. It is the part of us that is instinctual and emotional. Superego- represses the id and drives those feelings toward the unconscious. It is the part of us that is logical and is bound by rules and expectations. Ego- maintains balance between the id and the superego

There are two ways to use the psychological lens… Option 1: A reader can psychoanalyze a character by identifying the actions motivated by his/her id, the actions motivated by his/her superego, and how his/her ego attempts to balance the two forces. Option 2: A reader can psychoanalyze a group of characters or the setting of a work by identifying which characters/places symbolize the id, which characters/places symbolize the superego, and which characters/places symbolize the ego.

Psychological Lens Option 1 Of Mice and Men Id: George loves Lennie, but feels trapped and frustrated because of the ways that Lennie holds him back. George lives a lonely lifestyle and is afraid of being alone. Superego: George made a promise to Lennie’s aunt to take care of Lennie and protect him. George takes this promise very seriously. Lennie breaks laws and codes of honor on a regular basis. George is very conscious of these rules and tries to enforce them for Lennie. Ego: George tries to balance his emotions for Lennie and the moral, social, and legal obligations of society.

Psychological Lens Option 2 Of Mice and Men Id: Lennie is childlike and acts on impulse. He is unable to control his emotions or his strength. Superego: George tries to take care of Lennie and keep him out of “trouble”. George gives Lennie rules and guidelines to keep themselves and those around them safe. Ego: Slim tries to mediate between them, but he is not a big enough or established enough force in their lives to create a balance.

Mythological/Archetypal Lens A search for universal symbols (such as water, food, fire, etc.) within a work A search for mythological or religious allusions A search for familiar patterns A search for familiar types of characters (Tragic Hero, Quest Hero, Villain, Detective)

Mythological/Archetype Lens Of Mice and Men The natural setting of the river bank = a sanctuary/escape from society Ashes by the river = results of destruction The city = societal and human vices, corruption Curley’s Wife = Eve, temptation George = common man George’s story of the farm and “live on the fatta the land” = the American Dream California = the American Dream/Eden

Feminist Lens Often called the Gender Theory because it looks at the work through how gender is represented What role does gender play in the work? Do the roles played by the characters in the work fit traditional or expected gender roles? What are the results of the gender roles in the work? Does the work reinforce or break down the patriarchy?

Feminist Lens Of Mice and Men There is only one woman in the novel and she is not given a name. Curley’s wife has many negative characteristics and stereotypical characteristics: She is a flirt and a temptress She is emotional (she marries Curley to “escape” her parents) She is important only when she affects the life of the men The novel shows the life of men they are the center of the action of the novel. The men are the ones who run the farm and work. They form a culture and social structure among them. Curley’s wife, on the other hand, is expected to stay in the house alone with nothing to do. Curley’s wife only becomes important, angelic, pretty, and worth their while in death.

Historical Lens Study of the time period when the work was written (NOT the time period the work occurs in) How did contemporary events influence the author when writing the work? How did the social, political, and/or economic climate the author was writing in affect the work? Study of the allusions to events contemporary to the author within the text

Historical Lens Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men was written in the Great Depression. People struggled to find work due to the failing economy. Of Mice and Men takes place in California, which was looked at as a place to escape the Dust Bowl. It represented opportunity and hope for farmers in the plains. Farmers and ranch hands traveled from place to place, never staying in one place for an extended period of time. Many people were forced into the migrant workforce because job opportunities were inconsistent and rare.

Biographical Lens A study of the author’s own life as reflected in the work A study of the work as a representation of the author’s personal beliefs and life

Biographical Lens Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck grew up in the Salinas, California. Steinbeck was a bindlestiff, or hobo, for a period of time. During his travels he worked along side a man who was mentally ill. This man killed a ranch foreman with a pitchfork because the foreman fired the man’s friend. He was placed in an insane asylum in California as a result. Steinbeck witnessed and experienced first hand the detrimental effects of the Great Depression.

Marxist Lens Of Mice and Men Looks at the economic classes in a story and how they interact with each other. Analyzes the power dynamic between upper and lower classes. Analyzes the conflicts and imbalances caused by the differences between the upper and lower classes. Physical differences Emotional differences Lifestyle differences

Marxist Lens Of Mice and Men Classes: Boss/owner of the ranch & boss’s son/future owner of the ranch, Curley’s wife Working class/migrant workers, Slim, George, & workers, Crooks Outliers- handicapped, Lennie & Candy Curley acts with entitlement because he is the boss’s son. Because of this the ranch hands harbor animosity towards him. George and Lennie are held back from their dreams because of their position in the economic hierarchy, which makes it difficult for them to wisely manage their money. Despite the fact that the upper class is dependent upon the workers to maintain their status, the workers become powerless because the supply of jobs is less than the demand; there are more workers than there are jobs available.

Reception Lens A look at who was reading the work when it was published- this is called readership A look at the audience the work was meant for A look at how the work was received by its audience and critics A look at when and why new editions were published

Reception Lens Of Mice and Men The novel was Steinbeck’s first successful story. It was widely admired in both America and Britain and critically acclaimed in both countries. The book was made into a play and a movie in the years right after its publication. The book, like most important pieces of literature, was banned because people believed it promoted ideals that contradicted mainstream societal values. Reasons it was challenged include: anti-capitalist sentiment, promotion of euthanasia, and use of profane language.