OBJECTIVES
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Define literary analysis
Understand purpose of literary analysis
Understand the components of good writing:
depth, complexity, quality
Tips for effective analysis
Analysis of Literary Elements: diction, conflict,
character, images, symbols, figurative
language, theme and form/style
LITERARY ANALYSIS
A literary analysis explains a literary
work in a formal essay. The work
(novel, short story, or poem) is
described by the use of the literary
elements and the intention of the
author.
LITERARY ANALYSIS
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Literary analysis assumes
knowledge of the work and
therefore does not provide a
summary.
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Each analysis paper supports a
clearly defined thesis to be proved
about the work; it is PERSUASIVE.
PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS
The ultimate end of analysis is a deeper
understanding and a fuller appreciation
of the literature –
you learn
to see more,
to uncover or create
richer, denser, more interesting
meanings.
YOU MIGHT BE ASKING---
To begin to analyze written
work a common way of
identifying the qualities that
characterize it as 'good' by
examining its ….
When we are looking deeply into the text we
see that we are formed largely by culture
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we have common human needs
(Remember: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?)
we experience life with complexity
our lives hold symbolic and historical
meaning
When you read remember that authors are
demonstrating to us that there is more to life
than our physical sense of it.
Authors seek to define some of the forces and
feelings which give importance to our being.
Think in terms of our human experience as:
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being made up by interacting factors -environment, character, situation and so
forth, and
 comprised of a number of different elements - thought, feeling, sensation, memory,
imagination, significant symbols, culturallyformed ways of saying and thinking.
Our experience is complex.
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In order to suggest the complexities
and the depth of experience, literature
has to use all of its resources well.
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The more the resources of language
and meaning are used to reveal the
depth and complexity the more we say
this work has QUALITY.
STRATEGIES TO FOLLOW
FOR EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS
 Read
the text
 Consider
related viewpoints
 Consider
literary elements
Quick Tips
Political
Critical viewpoint
viewpoint: consider how
political systems and politics are
portrayed in the work;
Feminist viewpoint: consider how the
work portrays women and approaches
gender roles;
Ethnic viewpoint: consider how ethnic
groups are portrayed within the work
Quick Tips
Critical viewpoint
Consider other perspectives where appropriate
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religious
psychological
belief systems
The caution here is to accurately represent the
text and support all interpretations by evidence
in the text.
First….
and read the novel. Take
notes along the way,
considering the literary
elements while you read
Literary Elements
CHARACTER
Consider what consistent qualities the character
has, what motivates the character, what
complexities the character shows, does the
character change or remain the same.
Are the characters dynamic, static, round or flat?
Character Types
• Flat Characters: one-sided or less developed characters. These
characters are usually minor characters or represent something
stereotypical.
•Round Characters: are multi-dimensional and are usually the
protagonist. These are more developed characters and seem more
real.
•Dynamic Characters: are characters who go through a significant
change in the story. The protagonist is usually a dynamic character.
•Static Characters: are characters who do not change throughout the
story.
•When we discuss character types, we look for qualities that are:
•Physical – hair color, physical description
•Implied/Inferred – these are characteristics about their
personality (shy, funny, racist, amiable)
Character Types
• In the story Cinderella, how would you describe these
characters?
•The Prince
• Flat and Static
•Cinderella
• Round and Dynamic
•The Evil Stepmother
•Flat and Static
•In describing Cinderella, the writer might say:
•Cinderella is a beautiful, young woman with blonde
hair (physical). She is sweet and kind (implied). She is
the protagonist of the story and is a round, dynamic
character.
Literary Elements
DICTION
Focus on
THE WORDS of the work.
Ask:
Is the language clear or does the author use
metaphors and similes?
Is this the language of emotion or reason?
What images are created?
How has dialogue been used? Does it add
meaning to the novel?
CONNOTATION
Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work.
These elements add to the meaning.
Literary Elements
CONFLICT
List all of the conflicts or tensions in the work and
fill them out with examples or evidence from the work
Draw conclusions about the conflict.
Consider the universal ideas of conflict:
•Man vs. Man
•Man vs. Nature
•Man vs. Society
•Man vs. Self
•Man vs. Religion
•Man vs. Machine
•Man vs. Supernatural
THEME
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As you already know, theme is the central idea or
message the author is sharing with the reader.
 It does not make a judgment.
For example: “Drugs are bad” is not a theme.
 It merely states something that is true about life
and the human condition.
 Your theme is the opinion component of your
thesis statement.
Literary Elements
THEME
Look for the meaning in the
text, but don’t settle for the
first thing you see.
Make a list of all possible
themes stated in complete
sentences and in universal
terms
Example:
One theme of “The Pearl” is
that greed can be a destructive
force.
How do I find the THEME?
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Read the entire
novel.
 Consider the literary
elements.
 What message are
the literary elements
trying to convey to
the reader?
 What is the author
trying to say about
life?
Literary Elements
FORM/STYLE
Poetry
is
examined
through
rhyme, rhythm,
sound devices,
and format
Each genre or type of
literature has its own
principles of style and
form.
Fiction is examined by
considering narrative
point of view, setting,
word choice or
characterization.
Drama’s unique element is staging, the
props, actors’ gestures, lighting, the set, and
visual effects.
ATTITUDE
Tone is the attitude of the
speaker toward the novel.
Literary Elements
IMAGES
Most literature can be analyzed through
images and symbols.
Scan the work, listing images, symbols,
searching for patterns and repetitions.
Write down page references and your first
interpretations.
REFERENCES
Bauman, M. G. (2007). Ideas & details: A guide to college writing. Massachusetts: Thomson
Wadsworth: 273-307.
Images from Microsoft Office 2003 clipart
Knott Poetry Analysis Using TPCASTT retrieved on January 25, 2008 from
images.schoolinsites.com/.../BakerHigh/Uploads/Presentat
ions/Poetry%20Analysis%20Using%20TPCASTTknott.ppt
Lye, J. (2000). Critical reading: A guide. Retrieved August 15, 2003 from
http://www.brocku.ca/english/jlye/criticalreading.html
Poetry explications. (2007). The Writing Center. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Retrieved on January 17, 2009 from
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html
Quotations about Poetry, (2008). The Quote Garden: A Harvest of Quotes for Word Lovers
Retrieved on January 30, 2008 from http://www.quotegarden.com/poetry.html
Quick Tips
Reading
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Read s l o w l y, p a y a t t e n t i o n to
every word
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Use your gut (initial) reactions
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Take notes on your impressions and
observations
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Try to discover the author’s purpose-research what the authors have said about
their work or historical events that relate to the
work