How to Critically Analyze Literature (2018)

Summary

This video lesson provides an in-depth guide on how to critically analyze literature, aimed at high school or college students. It covers essential components of literary analysis, including structure, archetypes, figurative language, tone, symbolism, and author influences. The instructor breaks down these elements and provides examples to help viewers better understand how to dissect and interpret fiction, poetry, or drama. Additionally, the video encourages viewers to go beyond surface-level critiques, offering tips on how to conduct research to enhance literary analysis. The lesson is designed to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of literary works.

Takeaways

• 📝 Critical analysis involves breaking down a work of literature into its components to understand it better.
• 🔍 Literary analysis is not about finding faults, but exploring various aspects like structure, tone, symbolism, and influences.
• 📖 Structure includes point of view, plot organization, and the way the story is told, whether linear, non-linear, or with parallel plots.
• 🏅 Archetypes are recurring character types or patterns found in literature, often drawing from the hero’s journey or ancient storytelling methods.
• 🖋️ Figurative language, like metaphors, similes, and personification, adds depth to writing and helps convey meaning beyond literal interpretation.
• 🎭 Tone is determined by the author's word choices, imagery, and diction, revealing the overall attitude or mood in the piece.
• ⚡ Symbolism in literature gives objects, characters, or events a deeper meaning, often representing ideas beyond their literal sense.
• 📚 Analyzing influences on the author, including historical context, other writers, or personal experiences, adds depth to the literary analysis.
• 🔑 Each symbol in a text must have both a literal and a figurative meaning to qualify as a true symbol in literary analysis.
• 💡 Understanding the author's time period, literary movements, and external influences provides a more nuanced and detailed critical analysis.

Q & A

What is critical analysis in literature?

Critical analysis in literature involves closely examining different aspects of a work, such as its structure, archetypes, figurative language, tone, symbolism, and the influences on the author. It aims to deepen the reader's understanding of the work by considering these components both individually and together.

What are the key components to consider when critically analyzing a piece of literature?

The key components to consider are the structure of the work, archetypes, figurative language, tone, symbolism, and external influences on the author.

What does the term 'structure' refer to in a literary analysis?

Structure refers to the point of view, the organization of the text, and the plot elements. It includes analyzing how the story is narrated (first, second, or third person), the organization of the plot (linear, non-linear, circular, or parallel), and the sequence of events like exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

What are some examples of different plot structures?

Plot structures can be linear, where events happen chronologically; non-linear, where flashbacks or jumps in time occur; circular, where the story ends where it began; and parallel plots, where two or more storylines occur simultaneously, like in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

What is an archetype, and how is it used in literature?

An archetype is an original pattern or model from which similar characters, themes, or concepts are derived. In literature, characters like the hero or mentor often fit specific archetypal roles that carry universal meanings.

How does figurative language enhance the critical analysis of literature?

Figurative language, such as similes, metaphors, and personification, adds depth to the text by conveying meanings beyond the literal. Analyzing figurative language helps uncover hidden insights and emotional connections in the work.

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

A simile makes a direct comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as,' while a metaphor makes an implied comparison without using those words. For example, 'He sings like a bird' is a simile, and 'He drowned in a sea of grief' is a metaphor.

How does tone influence the reader’s perception of a literary work?

Tone reflects the author's attitude toward the subject or characters, influencing how the reader interprets the text. The choice of words, imagery, and sentence structure all contribute to establishing the tone, which can range from nostalgic to dark or tense.

What is symbolism, and how is it identified in literature?

Symbolism involves using objects, characters, or events to represent deeper meanings beyond their literal presence in the story. A symbol must have both a literal and figurative meaning. For example, in 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe, the penknife symbolizes the narrator's power over the cat.

How can an author's influences shape their literary work?

An author's influences may include historical events, personal experiences, contemporary literary movements, or other authors’ works. For instance, Edgar Allan Poe was influenced by American Romanticism and spiritualism, which is reflected in his use of dark themes and supernatural elements in his stories.