Literary Analysis

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Literary Analysis

• For IB Assessments

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Types of literary analysis

• Character
• Theme
• Setting
• Form
• Symbolism, Motif and Imagery
• Style

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A strong character analysis will

• identify the type of character
• describe the character
• discuss the conflict in the story, as it relates
  to the characters place in it

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Characters can be

• protagonists or antagonists
• major or minor
• static or dynamic
• stereotypical (stock)
• Foils (opposite or weaker than protagonist)
• Heroes or Antiheroes

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Heroes can be

• the anti-hero
• the tragic hero
• the romantic hero
• the modern hero

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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?

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Social Aspects of Character

• How does the character view other characters?
• What do other characters say about this
  character?
• Do the characters actions support his/her
  words?

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External Conflicts

• man vs. man
• man vs. machine
• man vs. nature
• man vs. animal
• man vs. fate or destiny
• man vs. society

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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

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Themes can be a

• concepts
• thoughts
• opinions or beliefs
• The theme allows the author to illustrate his
  perceptions about life.

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Theme Analysis

• Consider
• Direct statements
• Imagery and symbolism
• A characters thoughts or statements
• A character who stands for something
• Overall tone or moral of the work

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Theme Analysis

• Motivation
• Why do the characters behave as they do, and what
  motivates them?

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Theme Analysis

• Tone
• What is the authors or narrators attitude
  towards his subject?

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Theme Analysis

• Values
• Does it seem like the author is making a value
  judgment?

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Analysis of Setting

• Explore how a works 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)

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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?)

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Setting Analysis

• Is any part of the setting symbolic?
• A castledefenses
• suburban homesafety

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Setting Analysis

• How much time does the action cover?
• Are there jumps in hours, days, weeks, months,
  years?

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Setting Analysis

• How well does a character fit in with the
  setting?

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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?

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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?

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Setting Analysis

• How is the setting presented ? With great detail?
  Through a few suggestive details? Indirectly
  through thoughts and actions?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?