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Plan Critical Approaches Critical Analysis Essay

What is Literary Criticism? Back to Basics

Critical Approaches What do we need to cover?

Critical Approaches Archetypal In criticism “archetype” signifies: narrative designs, character types, or images which are said to be identifiable in a wide variety of works of literature The meanings behind these archetypal connections are believed to hold/reflect a set of universal, primitive, and narrative patterns Ex. The Quest, The Journey The expression of these patterns is thought to also be represented by characters in the text falling under certain character-types Ex. The orphan, the mother, magician, etc https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/06/

Critical Approaches Feminist A Feminist Critic sees: cultural and economic disadvantages in a “patriarchal” society This prevents and hinders women from realizing their potential in many ways Identify patterns of women’s cultural identification as: dependent on gendered stereotypes (ie. Nurturing, mother, sensitive, illogical, run by emotion) See women portrayed as subjects or objects to men or masculine systems Look at power imbalances, relations between men and women, how text illustrates the female experience https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/06/

Critical Approaches Formalism This approach regards literature as a unique form of human knowledge that needs to be examined on its own terms. Attention is paid to use of literary devices. Symbolism, themes, imagery, etc How are the various parts of the work interconnected? What does the form of the work say about its content https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/06/

Critical Approaches Reader Response An approach to literature that focuses on the reader rather than the work itself, by attempting to describe what goes on in the reader's mind during the reading of a text Also considers: that the role of the reader cannot be omitted from our understanding of literature that readers do not passively consume the meaning presented to them by an objective literary text; rather they actively make the meaning they find in literature https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/06/

Critical Approaches Psychoanalytic/ Freudian Theory Based on the idea that the unconscious, much like a literary work, speaks its message through symbols, images, metaphors, etc. A text does not stand alone. Look for “covert”/hidden meanings behind the text Look at unconscious motives or desires of the author or characters https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/06/

Critical Approaches Psychoanalytic/ Freudian Theory http://www.msmacsclass.ca/eng4u.html

Critical Approaches Psychoanalytic/ Freudian Theory http://www.msmacsclass.ca/eng4u.html

Critical Analysis Essay Were you given a list of topics to choose from?

Critical Analysis Essay Analysis: “detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation”. The purpose of a critical analysis is to look at HOW a work demonstrates its themes based on your analysis. You do need a thesis. You must support this thesis with evidence and discuss its relevance to your argument. You are not to summarize the text or your argument. You are writing to an informed reader.

Critical Analysis Essay Analytical writing, answers the “how” and "why" question Ie. How is x demonstrated in the text and WHY is it important? (basically, “so, what?”)

Critical Analysis Essay

Where are we at in our essays? Planning, writing, first draft??? Monday – Approaches Review, make notes/outline Tuesday – begin writing/typing first draft Wednesday – First Draft complete & Peer Editing Period Thursday – Peer Editing and Revising, Ask Questions Friday – Review Essay, Work Period Essay Due Friday January 23rd

REMEMBER! MLA Format Size 12, Times New Roman Font, double spaced First Draft: January 9th Peer Editing & Review: January 10th-12th Essay Due: January 13th