AP Literature and Composition “It’s a Mixed Theories Thursday!” April 3, 2014 Mr. Houghteling

AGENDA Anticipation Guide The plan from here: Sula, literary criticism, and close textual readings. Background information related to Sula. If time allows, begin reading the novel.

What is? Gender Criticism Archetypal Criticism Historical Criticism

Historical Criticism (1) Historical Criticism insists that to understand a literary piece, we need to understand the author's biography and social background, ideas circulating at the time, and the cultural environment.

Historical Criticism (2) New Historicism seeks to find meaning in a text by considering the text within the framework of the prevailing ideas and assumptions of its historical era. New Historicists concern themselves with the political function of literature and with the concept of power, the intricate means by which cultures produce and reproduce themselves.

* GENTRIFICATION: the buying and renovation of houses and business in urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses. AGREESTATEMENT or BELIEFDISAGREE 1. Gentrification is good for a community Governments and communities do their best to support their war veterans Childhood friendships (those forged between age 6 and 16) are stronger than friendships made later in life The bonds between mothers and daughters are stronger than the bonds between mothers and sons I would marry outside of my race Regardless of whether or not I would marry outside of my race, my family would accept me and my choice to marry outside of my race. 6. Total ____________

Archetypal Criticism (1) Archetypal criticism argues that archetypes determine the form and function of literary works, that a text's meaning is shaped by cultural and psychological myths. Archetypes are the unknowable basic forms personified or solidified in recurring images, symbols, or patterns.

Archetypal Criticism (2) These patterns may include motifs such as the quest or the heavenly ascent, recognizable character types such as the trickster, the mentor, or the hero, symbols such as the apple or snake, or images such as crucifixion (as in Cool Hand Luke, or Bride of Frankenstein) or baptism (as in The Awakening)—all laden with meaning already when employed in a particular work.

Where do we go from here? As we read, we will apply historical, gender, and archetypal criticism to the text. We will focus on Morrison’s use of characterization, setting, and symbolism, specifically her use of archetype and allusion to develop those literary elements.

Before you begin reading: To utilize historical criticism, we must understand the time period in which a text was written. Sula was published in What was going on in the US in 1973?

To better understand: The first few pages (pp. 3-6) are written from the perspective of The novel then goes back to 1919 (World War I). The majority of the novel takes place in the 1920s, but it was written in We must be aware of both eras’ presence in the novel.

Begin Reading … Tonight, you will read pages 3-16 and focus on the setting and characterization of Shadrack. As we read right now, consider the perspective from which this is written = What type of place is Bottom?

Homework Read pp What is the setting of this novel? Describe Bottom. What literary devices are present throughout this chapter?

Archetypes Archetypes are universal symbols. These symbols “carry the same or very similar meanings for a large portion of mankind” (Philip Wheelwright, Metaphor and Reality).

Myth and Archetype Myth is universal. Similar motifs or themes may be found among many different mythologies. Certain images or associations recur in the myths of people widely separated in time and place, and these images often have a common meaning or elicit comparable psychological responses.

Myth and Archetype “The myth critic is concerned to seek out those mysterious elements that inform certain literary works and that elicit, with almost uncanny force, dramatic and universal human reactions” (Campbell, The Masks of God).

Characterization What the character says and doesn’t say. What the character does and doesn’t do. Physical appearance or other descriptions by the narrator/author. What the other characters say about him or her. How the other characters act towards him or her.

Characterization What the character says and doesn’t say. What the character does and doesn’t do. Physical appearance or other descriptions by the narrator/author. What the other characters say about him or her. How the other characters act towards him or her. As a careful reader, which of the ideas on the left should you trust and which should you question?