AP Literature
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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
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?
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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
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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:
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
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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?
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As you read…
Where have I seen this type of story before?
 Do these characters seem familiar?
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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
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Literature is a representation of class struggle with
an emphasis on social inequalities, social justice,
and economic disparity
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?
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As you read…
What is the class of the characters, and how is that
shown?
 How are money, power, and resources used in the story?
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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
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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
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?
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As you read…
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?
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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.
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Literature considers the experience of women as
authors and feminine roles within a text
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?
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As you read…
What are the genders of the characters?
 Do their genders matter?
 How similar or different are the characters from
traditional gender roles?
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Examples:
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
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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?
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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
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The author’s work and character behavior is
caused by obvious and hidden, conscious and
unconscious motives
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?
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As you read…
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?
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Examples:
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
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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 culture affect my understanding of a
character?
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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