Creating a Thesis …for strong Literary Analysis

Finding the Who, What, Why, and How The who [this can be your authors or perhaps characters] The what [this is something that your authors do in terms of the literary technique for which you are choosing to write about] The how [this is how the authors do the “what” in terms of significance] The why [this is why the authors do the “what” in terms of significance]

The Who The who [this can be your author or perhaps a character] F. Scott Fitzgerald… Jay Gatsby…

The What The what [this is something that your author does in terms of the literary technique for which you are choosing to write about] F. Scott Fitzgerald symbolizes the American Dream… F. Scott Fitzgerald contrasts wealth with poverty… Jay Gatsby represents the American Dream… Daisy Buchanan symbolizes temptation…

The How The how [this is how the author does the “what” in terms of significance] F. Scott Fitzgerald contrasts wealth with poverty by setting The Great Gatsby in the juxtaposing areas of New York City to prove that happiness has no class boundaries. Daisy Buchanan symbolizes temptation through her seductive voice in order to represent a woman’s lure over men in the 1920s.

The Why The why [this is why the author does the “what” in terms of significance] F. Scott Fitzgerald contrasts wealth with poverty by setting The Great Gatsby in the juxtaposing areas of New York City to prove that happiness has no class boundaries. Daisy Buchanan symbolizes temptation through her seductive voice to represent a women’s lure over men in the 1920s.

The WHY is your “so what” The “why” is explaining the importance of your author’s message - Societal condition Societal mannerisms Societal behavior Societal flaws Societal conflicts Societal expectations - Human condition Human characteristics Human growth Human emotions Human aspirations Human conflicts Human morality Human flaw This is the “meat” of your discussion in your analysis – the “why we care” It’s also usually your thematic tie-in!

Bringing your reading reflections together Creating an argumentative thesis statement – finding the “what” It’s time to ask yourself this question: What is ___________________ suggesting about _________________________? AuthorLiterary focus For example- Question: What does Conrad seem to be suggesting about early twentieth-century London society in his novel The Secret Agent? Answer: Conrad suggests that all classes of society are corrupt. Pitfalls: Choosing too many ideas. Choosing ideas without any support What Who

Explaining the “so what” of your argument Question: How does Conrad develop the idea that all classes of society are corrupt? Answer: He uses images of beasts and cannibalism whether he's describing socialites, policemen or secret agents. Question: What does Conrad seem to be suggesting about early twentieth-century London society in his novel The Secret Agent? Answer: Conrad suggests that all classes of society are corrupt. Once you have some general points to focus on, write your possible ideas and answer the questions that they suggest. Must answer how and why Question: Why does Conrad develop the idea that all classes of society are corrupt? Answer: To illuminate the idea of morality functioning as the glue of a society, however corrupt that society might be. Reminder of the “what” May I answer the how and why? Yes!

Making the thesis Turn the question and answer into a statement. In his novel, The Secret Agent, Joseph Conrad uses beast and cannibal imagery to describe all characters, which suggests that he sees corruption within early twentieth-century London society; he therefore proves the importance of morality functioning as the glue of a society. Question: What does Conrad seem to be suggesting about early twentieth-century London society in his novel The Secret Agent? Answer: Conrad suggests that all classes of society are corrupt. Question: How does Conrad develop the idea that all classes of society are corrupt? Answer: He uses images of beasts and cannibalism whether he's describing socialites, policemen or secret agents. Question: Why does Conrad develop the idea that all classes of society are corrupt? Answer: To illuminate the idea of morality functioning as the glue of a society, however corrupt that society might be.

Samples: The Great Gatsby – Who, What, Why, How Who: F. Scott Fitzgerald What: depicts the roaring 20s How: by setting The Great Gatsby in the dynamic area of New York City Why: to illustrate the materialistic behavior of people during this time period Thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the roaring 20s by setting The Great Gatsby in the dynamic area of New York City to illustrate the materialistic behavior of people during this time period.

The Great Gatsby – Who, What, Why, How Who: F. Scott Fitzgerald What: exposes the fickleness of money How: by creating characters who seem to value possessions more than happiness Why: to illuminate American materialism Thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald, in The Great Gatsby, exposes the fickleness of money by creating characters who seem to value possessions more than happiness in order to illuminate American materialism.

Does the “who” have to be the author? No Who: Jay Gatsby What: Symbolizes the impalpable American Dream How: by having a life filled with meaninglessness Why: to illuminate the emptiness that exists in searching for a happiness that may not truly exist. Thesis: Jay Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s main character in The Great Gatsby, symbolizes the impalpable American Dream by having a life filled with meaninglessness in order to illuminate the emptiness that exists in searching for a happiness that may not truly exist.

Easy-peezy, right??? …On to where the hard part really starts…

You’ve got to decide this for TWO texts!!!!! …and make them connect!

How to do this… Decide on your “what” or “how” first. WHAT is a message found in both texts? (DEFINITELY need to consider the ending here…) HOW are both authors using devices to create meaning? For this, examine similarities and differences in Conflict Style Endings Character Settings Motifs

Let’s Practice with Fitzgerald’s Works Thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald, in The Great Gatsby and The Beautiful and the Damned, develops the intangible American Dream to illustrate the materialistic ways of human existence; he illuminates this materialism by creating shallow characters who cannot seem to grasp the simplicity of true happiness. Who: F. Scott Fitzgerald What: Develops the intangible American Dream Why: To show the materialistic nature of humans How: By creating shallow characters who cannot seem to grasp the simplicity of happiness Can you break this down into its parts?

Sample with 2 books Who: Author (Wharton) What: demonstrates the necessity for [either sacrifice of the inner self or rejection of and by the society.] How: by examining conflict between a character’s emotions or intellect and society’s norms. Why: a society will provide economic stability and comfortable sanctuary, but only in return for the complete sacrifice of one’s independence and individuality. Many of Edith Wharton’s novels are about the individual in conflict with a stable elite society. In such society there is but one choice to be made: whether or not to become a part of that society. However, as Wharton shows, the choice is not always an easy one. She depicts in her novels a society that provides economic stability and comfortable sanctuary, but only in return for the complete sacrifice of one’s independence and individuality. The individual must choose. There is no middle ground, no compromise, only sacrifice of the inner self or rejection of and by the society. Wharton demonstrates the necessity for such choices by examining the intolerable tension that results due to the conflict between a character’s emotions or intellect and society’s norms. Yes, this whole thing is essentially the thesis!! It’s not always just one sentence!!! Can you break this down into its parts?

Some possible “plug in” formats As a result of _______ a character realizes _______ and (does / becomes / changes / learns) _______. The author (creates/writes/uses) _______ (character/metaphor/analogy/motif/image) to illustrate _______ about the (theme/message) of the novel. The (character) struggles with _______ to illustrate/highlight _______. The characters begin the novel as _______ and become _______ to illustrate the author’s message that _______.

Choosing a solid analytical verb DefinesCreatesSuggestsAssertsDescribesConcludes StrengthensDisplaysRevealsGlorifiesCharacterizesImplies IllustratesDemonstratesExaggeratesAnticipatesDesignatesOutlines AccomplishesEmphasizesJuxtaposesRidiculesDemolishesExplores DevelopsEstablishesForcesPersonifiesDiscreditsInsinuates IlluminatesExaminesDemandsMimicsNegatesAddresses DepictsHighlightsReinforcesMirrorsPolarizesExplores ArguesForeshadowsImpliesIdentifiesShowcasesAttacks BuildsSymbolizesUnderlinesParallelsForecastsCritiques criticizesSignifiesIndicatesDiminishesInvestigatesIdentifies