Literary Analysis

The great writers of fiction speak to and inform the universal human heart and mind. They warn us of what we should and should not do or be. Furthermore, they do not tell us these human truths, they show us through character development, setting symbolism, and all the other tools at their disposal. Fiction informs the human heart about the truth of our existence.

Human Behavior Consequence of Action Authors use... The particular and concrete To illustrate or explain the general, the abstract, or the whole

Typical Types of Literary Analysis Compare the effect of one element on another One character's development Comparison & contrast of two characters, symbols, settings Compare one text to another Discuss the effect of one scene on the entire work Etc., etc. etc.

Compare the effect of one element on another: You may show how... One Character affects The meaning of the whole work

One Character’s Development Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Don’t forget to tell... Why this is important!

Compare and Contrast two characters, symbols, settings, etc. Setting One Setting Two Don’t forget to tell... What the differences show us.

Step 1: THINK Brainstorm, free- write, talk to others, make a jot list

As you consider different ideas, Ask yourself...  What will this idea enable me to say about the work’s meaning and significance?  What in the work will I be able to use as support for this idea?

Remember! A good thesis statement should Contain the specific literary element to be investigated (NAME the character, symbol, or setting you will be analyzing!!) Point to some idea of significance in the work, or have an argumentative edge (theme/author’s motive) Be written in present tense NOT be written in passive voice Be grammatically clear and correct Never use 1 st or 2 nd person

Examples of bad, bad, bad thesis statements: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice contains romance and suspense. (These are all too broad and vague) George Orwell’s 1984 shows a bad state of civilization. Forrester’s Room with a View contrasts greatly with today.

...and more examples of bad thesis statements: The characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice show pride and prejudice. (These are all too abstract; they need to be concrete and specific!) Symbolism in George Orwell’s 1984 is important to the theme. Settings in Forrester’s Room with a View are crucial.

Examples of good thesis statements: In George Orwell’s 1984 he uses political propaganda to illustrate the corruption of a totalitarian government. In his novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy exhibits his pessimistic view of life through the intensity of his dark settings.

More examples of good thesis statements: In Forrester’s novel A Room with a View, the character Lucy Honeychurch illustrates the idea that love conquers all by undergoing three distinct stages of development that end in her realization of her love for George. The characters Anne Elliott and Lady Russell in Jane Austen’s Persuasion are parallel to the characters in the fairy tale Cinderella, showing that the virtuous can be triumphant over adversity.

More examples of good thesis statements: Conrad uses the setting of the jungle, which actually represents “the heart of immense darkness,” to symbolize the insanity, obsession, and barbarism that invade the mind of his main character, Kurtz. The demonic character Heathcliff in Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights demonstrates the romantic theme that people repeat the evil treatment that they endure as children.