Literary Analysis For IB Assessments
Types of literary analysis Character Theme Setting Form Symbolism, Motif and Imagery Style
A strong character analysis will… identify the type of character describe the character discuss the conflict in the story, as it relates to the character’s place in it
Characters can be… protagonists or antagonists major or minor static or dynamic stereotypical (stock) Foils (opposite or weaker than protagonist) Heroes or Antiheroes
Heroes can be… the anti-hero the tragic hero the romantic hero the modern hero
Consider if the character has changed during the course of the story: What was his/her motivation to change? How does the character learn from the change?
Social Aspects of Character How does the character view other characters? What do other characters say about this character? Do the character’s actions support his/her words?
External Conflicts man vs. man man vs. machine man vs. nature man vs. animal man vs. fate or destiny man vs. society
Internal Conflicts man vs. himself: this is when the character has an ethical dilemma man vs. his mind: this is the character with internal problems that are not ethical, but mental or emotional
Themes can be a… concepts thoughts opinions or beliefs The theme allows the author to illustrate his perceptions about life.
Theme Analysis Consider… Direct statements Imagery and symbolism A character’s thoughts or statements A character who stands for something Overall tone or moral of the work
Theme Analysis Motivation Why do the characters behave as they do, and what motivates them?
Theme Analysis Tone What is the author’s or narrator’s attitude towards his subject?
Theme Analysis Values Does it seem like the author is making a value judgment?
Analysis of Setting Explore how a work’s time and place affects the events and/or the characters of the work. Consider setting as part of another form of literary analysis. (extending the analysis of a character, for example)
Setting Analysis the season time of day matters weather (Is it night, when things are often hidden? Is it day, when things may be more clear?)
Setting Analysis Is any part of the setting symbolic? A castle=defenses suburban home=safety
Setting Analysis How much time does the action cover? Are there jumps in hours, days, weeks, months, years?
Setting Analysis How well does a character “fit in” with the setting?
Setting Analysis Does the setting influence the plot or characters? If the characters are supposed to be strong characters who triumph over evil, are they in places where evil is around?
Setting Analysis Does the setting establish atmosphere or mood? A bright, sunshiny day? Is it a creepy old house that creaks? Is it a big open barn that smells of fresh hay?
Setting Analysis How is the setting presented ? With great detail? Through a few suggestive details? Indirectly through thoughts and actions?
Structure Does he use long or short sentences? Is dialogue short and conversational or long and involved? How are the sentences structured? Are the paragraphs short and choppy or long and flowing? Repetitive or varied? Are they all the same length or are some long and flowing, others short and choppy? Why?
How does the author present his reality? Style How does the author present his reality? What word choices do you notice? Are the descriptions blunt, vivid, detailed? What is the tone? What is the mood? Are there many literary devices?
Form How does the plotline look? Does it take a long time to get to the rising action? Is there a lot of attention on the climax? How are the acts and chapters divided? When do new characters enter? Does one event cause another to happen? Is there a crisis?
In conclusion The types of analysis overlap. Keep your focus clear as you write your essay. Are you focusing on the comparison of two characters because you want to explore their development and role in the conflict? Are you focusing on the comparison of two characters because you think they both embody a the same thematic element?