Critical Approaches to Literature
English 12, Quarter 2
What are Critical Approaches?
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Critical approaches are different lenses through which we
can approach, interpret, analyze, and examine texts
Certain approaches are more applicable to certain texts
than others
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Does the text relate to other disciplines (history, psychology,
sociology, science, etc.)?
Does the work reflect or challenge cultural assumptions
(gender, race, social class, etc.)?
How might another’s discussion of a work help you develop,
enhance, or qualify your perception of a work?
How might one reconcile multiple interpretations/lenses of a
work?
Why are critical approaches important?
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EVERY text (novels, films, ads, images, everything) contain
conscious and subconscious messages placed there by the
author or perceived by the consumer
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Understanding the layers of meaning in a text leads to a
richer reading or viewing experience
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Using a critical approach uncovers those messages
Critical understanding allows you to make informed opinions
and ask informed questions of a text, image, ad, film, book,
news, etc.
Incorporating critical approaches into how we view the
world leads to a deeper appreciation of the human
experience
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Critical reading/viewing promotes critical thinking in all aspects
of life
How does one critically approach a “text”?
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While you read, you look for clues pertaining to the
approach you have chosen
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Your evidence must be specific – character dialogue, actions,
descriptions
Then, you explain what you have discovered (or
uncovered) through writing, discussion, or other formal
communication
Examples:
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You watch Lion King and look for specific morals or lessons the
story teaches its viewers.
You watch Jersey Shore and consider how each character’s
gender affects his or her actions.
You read any piece of writing and determine its value or merit
Approach #1: Archetypal/Mythological
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Psychological aspects of the text, including archetypes,
determine deeper meaning of symbols and characters
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Many stories follow patterns, often established in ancient
mythology
How does this story resemble other stories in plot, character,
setting, or use of symbols?
Are archetypes presented?
Do specific allusions to myths shed light on our understanding?
As you read…
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Where have I seen this type of story before?
Do these characters seem familiar?
Approach #1: Archetypal/Mythological
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Examples:
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Hero’s Journey – Star Wars,Where the Wild Things Are, Ender’s
Game, Odyssey, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Lord of the
Rings, O Brother Where Art Thou?, Hunger Games, Finding Nemo
Villain Archetypes – Darth Vadar, Jafar, Poseidon, Sauron,
Voldemort, President Snow, Ursula
Damsel in Distress Archetype – Super Mario Brothers, Cinderella,
Snow White, Sleeping Beauty
Sidekick Archetype – Robin, George Costanza, Tonto
Approach #2: Marxist/Economic
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Literature is a representation of class struggle with an
emphasis on social inequalities, social justice, and
economic disparity
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All stories feature characters whose lives have been shaped by
their economic situations
All stories feature power struggles, often between or within
social classes or social ranks
How much control does one group or character have over
another?
As you read…
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What is the class of the characters, and how is that shown?
How are money, power, and resources used in the story?
Approach #2: Marxist/Economic
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Examples:
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Animal Farm – Pigs and humans versus the rest of the farm
Hunger Games – The Capital versus the districts; the districts
versus one another
Of Mice and Men – George and Lenny’s lack of resources and
recourse
To Kill a Mockingbird – How Mayella Ewell is affected by her
social class and rank
Approach #3: Historical
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Literature reflects the life of the author, the historical
period in which the work was produced, and the
historical period in which the work is set
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How is the work related to the life of author or the time
period in which it was written?
To what extent is the work a mirror of a time period?
To what extent is the work a judgment of a time period?
As you read…
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What was happening in the world when this was
written/produced?
What is the setting of the work? How is that setting used to
create a mood?
Approach #3: Historical
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Examples:
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The Lord of the Rings – Books were written post WWI; films
were made post 9-11
The Crucible – Arthur Miller lived during the Red Scare of the
1950’s and uses the Salem Witch Trials to parallel that
experience
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald achieved fame during the
1920’s for his excesses, yet struggled to fit in with social elites
To Kill a Mockingbird – Written during the Civil Rights
movement
The Lorax – Written during the beginning of the environmental
movement in the 1970’s.
Approach #4: Feminism/Gender Studies
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Literature considers the experience of women as authors
and feminine roles within a text
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Are women represented in literature? And if so, how are they
represented?
How are women understood in the larger collection of
literature of a culture or time period?
Are gender roles explored equitably?
As you read…
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What are the genders of the characters?
Do their genders matter?
How similar or different are the characters from traditional
gender roles?
Approach #4: Feminism/Gender Studies
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Examples:
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The Office – The stereotypical office roles by gender (Michael
Scott is the boss, Pam Beesly is the secretary
Of Mice and Men – The only female character is Curly’s wife,
who plays the role of the temptress and has no name
Hunger Games – Katniss is a female protagonist who departs
from traditional gender stereotypes
The Scarlet Letter – Hester Prynne is the first American female
protagonist
Approach #5: Moral/Philosophical
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Literature contains explicit or implicit morals, values, and
lessons
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To what extent does a work mirror the morals and values of a
culture?
How do the characters act, and what sort of model do they
provide to a reader?
Will the work help readers lead better lives and improve their
understanding of the world?
As you read…
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What consequences do characters face for right or wrong
choices?
What lesson is the story teaching?
How do the morals of the story differ from yours?
Approach #5: Moral/Philosophical
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Examples
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Juno – Discusses morals and lessons concerning teenage
pregnancy
Lion King – Teaches viewers to face challenges and honor
commitments
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian – A Native American
student must decide between tradition and self-preservation
Approach #6: Psychological
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The author’s work and character behavior is caused by
obvious and hidden, conscious and unconscious motives
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What do characters’ emotions and behaviors reveal about
personality and psychological states?
What psychological theories or frameworks apply to the text
or characters?
Are patterns such as repression, dreams, and desire presented
consciously or unconsciously by the author?
As you read…
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Why is this character acting the way s/he is?
What happened to this character in the past, and how is that
past affecting the present?
Approach #6: Psychological
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Examples:
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Catcher in the Rye – Holden Caulfield’s brother’s death and
unsupportive family leads to his mental instability
Lost – Jack’s unresolved issues with his father lead to his
inability to lead the survivors
Biggest Loser – Contestants must deal with their psychological
issues in order accomplish their fitness goals
Finding Nemo – Marlin must overcome the loss of wife to allow
Nemo to grow; he must also find value in the imperfect fishies
in the story
Approach #7: Multi-Cultural
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Explores the perspective of marginalized ethnic groups to
address a history of discrimination and inequity
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How has the author’s race and culture contributed to a work?
How are different races and cultures represented, especially in
relation to each other?
Are different races and cultures explored equitably?
What advantages and obstacles are presented to characters
based on their races or cultures?
As you read…
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What races and cultures are represented in a text? How are
they represented?
Is there discrimination? If so, how is it addressed?
How does my race and cutlure affect my understanding of a
character?
Approach #7: Multi-Cultural
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Examples:
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The Color of Water – Dual story of Jewish woman moving from
South to North and her son who is raised in a bi-racial family.
Remember the Titans – African-American high school football
team faces and overcomes discrimination
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian – Native American
author struggles with discrimination as a child
Zeitoun – Syrian-American experience in New Orleans during
Hurricane Katrina