How to Do Literary Analysis (It’s Easy!)

Summary

Carly Stevens' 'English Nerd' video offers practical literary analysis tips, focusing on the significance of a story's beginning. Using George Orwell's '1984' as an example, she demonstrates how to uncover themes and character insights through close observation of the opening sentences. Stevens emphasizes that literary analysis is about making keen observations and questioning the details, empowering viewers to delve deeper into literature regardless of their expertise.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is about literary analysis techniques to understand the deeper meanings in literature.
• 🔍 Literary analysis can be simplified by focusing on the beginning and end of a text, as they often encapsulate themes, tone, and character personalities.
• 🕰️ The example used is George Orwell's '1984', a common book studied in high school and college.
• 👀 Observation is key to good literary analysis; it's about noticing details and thinking about their implications.
• 🔢 The opening line of '1984', with the clock striking thirteen, suggests something is amiss, hinting at an unsettling or militaristic society.
• 🏚️ 'Victory Mansions' and 'vile wind' in the text contrast, indicating a discrepancy between the name and the actual conditions.
• 🧐 The protagonist's name, Winston Smith, suggests an everyman character with potential for greatness, given the historical context of Winston Churchill.
• 🌬️ The description of Winston Smith trying to escape the 'vile wind' and gritty dust could symbolize struggle or a harsh environment.
• 📝 Literary analysis involves picking apart the first sentences of a work, observing, and questioning why certain details are included.
• 📚 The video encourages viewers to become 'pro-level' literary analysts by closely examining the text and considering the author's choices.
• 📈 The process of literary analysis helps in understanding the underlying messages in literature, regardless of one's background or expertise.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Carly Stevens' video?

The main topic of Carly Stevens' video is providing tips and techniques for literary analysis, specifically using the beginning of the book '1984' by George Orwell as an example.

Why is '1984' a common book to study in high school and college?

'1984' is a common book to study in high school and college due to its rich themes, complex characters, and its relevance to discussions about society, politics, and individual freedoms.

What does Carly suggest as the key to good literary analysis?

Carly suggests that the key to good literary analysis is observation, paying close attention to details, and thinking about the possible reasons behind certain elements in the text.

What does the opening line of '1984' suggest about the setting?

The opening line of '1984' suggests an unusual and unsettling setting, as the clocks striking thirteen indicates something is amiss, possibly hinting at a dystopian society with a militaristic or authoritarian regime.

Why is the number 13 considered unlucky in many cultures?

The number 13 is considered unlucky in many cultures due to various superstitions and historical reasons, which is why many buildings do not have a 13th floor.

What does the name 'Winston Smith' suggest about the character?

The name 'Winston Smith' suggests that the character might be an everyman figure, with 'Smith' being a common last name and 'Winston' possibly invoking the image of Winston Churchill, hinting at potential for greatness or leadership.

What is the significance of the 'vile wind' and 'gritty dust' in the opening paragraph of '1984'?

The 'vile wind' and 'gritty dust' in the opening paragraph of '1984' contribute to the bleak and oppressive atmosphere of the story, and may symbolize the harsh realities and struggles that the protagonist and society face.

What does Carly mean by 'reading between the lines' in the context of literary analysis?

By 'reading between the lines,' Carly means interpreting the deeper meanings, themes, and implications that are not explicitly stated in the text but can be inferred through careful observation and analysis.

How does Carly recommend starting a literary analysis of a text?

Carly recommends starting a literary analysis by closely examining the first few sentences of the text, as they often contain important clues about the themes, tone, and characters.

What is the importance of analyzing the beginning and end of a well-written book according to Carly?

According to Carly, analyzing the beginning and end of a well-written book is important because these sections often encapsulate key themes, tones, and character insights, providing a solid foundation for understanding the entire work.

How often does Carly upload her videos, and what kind of content can viewers expect?

Carly uploads her videos every Monday, and viewers can expect English nerdy tips, tricks, and general fun related to the study and appreciation of literature.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Literary Analysis

Carly Stevens introduces the topic of literary analysis, aiming to demystify it for her audience. She emphasizes that literary analysis can be simple and effective by focusing on the beginning and end of a literary work. Carly uses George Orwell's '1984' as an example, highlighting the importance of observing details and understanding the themes and tone set by the opening lines. She points out the significance of the clock striking thirteen, suggesting an unsettling and militaristic society, and discusses the protagonist's name, Winston Smith, as a potential 'everyman' character with the possibility of greatness.

05:01

🔍 Deep Dive into '1984'

Carly continues her analysis of '1984' by examining the second sentence of the book, focusing on the protagonist's actions and the setting. She notes the contrast between the name 'Victory Mansions' and the gritty, unpleasant conditions described, such as the 'vile wind' and the dust. Carly emphasizes the importance of observing these details to understand the tone and the character of Winston Smith. She concludes by encouraging viewers to apply these simple techniques of observation and analysis to any literary work to gain a deeper understanding, regardless of their expertise.

Keywords

💡Literary Analysis

Literary analysis refers to the process of closely examining and interpreting a piece of literature to uncover its themes, symbols, characters, and other elements. In the video, Carly Stevens emphasizes that literary analysis doesn't have to be intimidating and can be simplified by focusing on observation, particularly of the beginning and end of a text. The video uses '1984' as an example to demonstrate how to analyze the first sentences for clues about the book's themes and tone.

💡Themes

Themes are the central ideas or messages that a writer explores in a literary work. Carly suggests that the beginning of a well-written book often encapsulates some of its themes. In '1984,' the striking of the clock at thirteen suggests themes of dystopia and the distortion of reality, setting the stage for the book's exploration of totalitarianism.

💡Tone

Tone refers to the author's attitude towards the subject matter and the audience, conveyed through the style and diction of the writing. The video points out that the beginning of '1984' sets a particular tone through the description of a 'bright cold day' and the unsettling detail of the clock striking thirteen, hinting at the book's overall grim and oppressive atmosphere.

💡Character

A character is a person or being in a story who may be either a protagonist or a supporting figure. The video discusses the protagonist Winston Smith, suggesting that his name, being common, might indicate his 'everyman' status. The name 'Winston' also evokes historical figures, hinting at potential parallels or contrasts with the character's attributes or actions.

💡Everyman

An 'everyman' character is a relatable, ordinary person who represents the common individual. Carly Stevens suggests that characters with common names like 'Smith' might be intended as everyman characters, making them more accessible to readers. In '1984,' Winston Smith is positioned as such a character, allowing readers to empathize with his experiences in the novel's dystopian society.

💡Unsettling

Unsettling refers to something that causes discomfort or a sense of unease. The video uses the example of the clock striking thirteen in '1984' to illustrate how an unsettling detail can hint at deeper themes. This detail creates a sense of disorientation and foreshadows the book's exploration of a society where reality is manipulated by the state.

💡Observation

Observation is the act of noticing and contemplating details. Carly Stevens emphasizes that the key to good literary analysis is simply observation, urging viewers to pay close attention to the text's details. The video demonstrates this by analyzing the opening lines of '1984' and drawing out their implications for the book's themes and tone.

💡Militaristic Society

A militaristic society is one that places a strong emphasis on military principles, values, or ideals. The video suggests that the clock striking thirteen in '1984' might imply a militaristic society, as military timekeeping is used. This observation sets the stage for understanding the novel's portrayal of a totalitarian regime that exerts strict control over its citizens.

💡Victory Mansions

Victory Mansions is the name of the apartment complex where Winston Smith lives in '1984.' The video points out the irony in the name, as it contrasts with the grim reality of the setting. The name 'Victory Mansions' is meant to evoke a sense of triumph and success, but the accompanying 'vile wind' and 'gritty dust' suggest a more dystopian reality.

💡Gritty Dust

The term 'gritty dust' is used in the video to describe the unpleasant, coarse dust that follows Winston Smith into Victory Mansions. This detail contributes to the book's overall tone and setting, painting a picture of a bleak and polluted environment. It also serves as a metaphor for the oppressive nature of the society depicted in '1984,' where the state's control is pervasive and inescapable.

Highlights

Carly Stevens introduces her channel and the topic of literary analysis.

Literary analysis can be intimidating, but Carly offers simple strategies to make it approachable.

The video uses George Orwell's '1984' as an example for literary analysis.

The importance of analyzing the beginning of a literary work to understand its themes and tone.

Observation is key to good literary analysis; the example of the clock striking thirteen in '1984'.

The significance of the number thirteen as an unlucky number in many cultures.

The suggestion that the clock striking thirteen implies a militaristic society.

The protagonist's name, Winston Smith, is analyzed for its potential symbolism of an everyman character.

The name 'Winston' is associated with Winston Churchill, hinting at potential greatness.

The description of Winston Smith's actions and environment introduces the setting and tone of '1984'.

The contrast between 'Victory Mansions' and the 'vile wind' and 'gritty dust' sets an ironic tone.

The video emphasizes the importance of looking at the first sentences of a work for literary analysis.

Carly explains that literary analysis involves observation, picking apart details, and questioning.

The video encourages viewers to apply these techniques to any literary work, regardless of their expertise.

Carly provides a method for becoming a 'pro-level' literary analyst by focusing on the beginning of a text.

The video concludes with a reminder to subscribe for more English tips and tricks.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

hey welcome back to my channel my name

is Carly Stevens and this is English

nerd so today I wanted to give you some

hacks basically about literary analysis

now those words literary analysis can

freak some people out so it doesn't need

to be frightening at all there are some

really simple things that you can do to

be effective at literary analysis and

getting to the whatever's beneath the

surface of this story so a for use for

the example today that's a little bright

and hard to see there we go

new to use 1984 it's a really common

book to study in high school in college

and it's just really good in general if

you have not read 1984 you should by all

means check it out so the main thing I'm

going to be talking about today is

analyzing the beginning if you want to

get it at the heart of a book that's

well written you want to look closely

very closely at the beginning and the

end

very often the beginning will

encapsulate some of the themes or the

tone or sometimes the characters

personalities there is so much packed

into that beginning besides just having

an interesting hook once again I'm sorry

about the delights they seem to be the

weather's doing something funky anyway

let's take a look at the beginning of

1984 and I'll show you how you can do

some literary analysis even on your own

if you're not an English teacher or some

kind of expert

1984 by George Orwell begins this way

very famously it was a bright cold day

in April and the clocks were striking

thirteen now you don't need to be any

sort of English whiz to realize that

there is there's something off about

having the clock strike thirteen the key

to good literary analysis is just

observation that's it

it's just observation so let's let's

think about that idea that the clocks

were striking thirteen okay so 13 is

considered by many cultures to be an

unlucky number which is why we have no

floor 13

in most hotels so 13 we have an unlucky

number we also have one number above 12

of course which means that we are

probably on military time so already we

have this slightly unsettling feeling

that the clocks are striking 13 that

unlucky number and that means that we're

probably on military time for some

reason and the question becomes what is

that reason has the has the military is

this a militaristic Society or what so

it's a bright cold day in April

everything seems fine but then there's

that turn that twist and we got all of

that just from thinking the clocks were

striking 13 hmm interesting

so you have something to work with now

if you go on to the second sentence

which brings you to the end of the first

baby paragraph there says this Winston

Smith his chin nuzzled into his breast

and effort to escape the vile wind slept

quickly through the glass doors of

victory mansions though not quickly

enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust

from entering along with him okay so you

as the literary analyst will start

picking out some of those details like

the name of the protagonist Winston

Smith for instance Smith is a really

common last name maybe there's something

to that maybe anytime you have a

character whose name ends with Smith's

or begins with some form of John chances

are if it's you know great literature

that you're looking at an everyman kind

of character and Winston Smith is set up

anyway to potentially be that kind of

character

the name Winston is also interesting

this book was written in 1950 and so

that was within very recent memory of

World War two Stalin was still in

charged this book of course is going

against Stalinist ideas Winston would

bring too many people's mind Winston

Churchill if you see right here have

Winston Churchill bag he's he's a

fascinating guy so there's this sense

that we have an everyman but with the

potential for some kind of greatness

perhaps but it says his chin nuzzled

into his breast and effort to escape the

vile wind slipped quickly through the

glass doors of victory mansions may be

victory mansions stood out to you the

first time you read this or that I read

it to you we have victory mansions but

vile wind taking gritty dust comes in

with Winston so something's again not

quite matching up something's called

victory mansions but it sounds not so

nice all this gritty dust is swirling in

behind Winston so all of these things

these first two sentences set up this

unsettled militaristic things appear to

be one way that actually or another tone

as well as something about the

protagonist Winston Smith just by his

name alone we at least can can have the

hypothesis that he might be an everyman

character with the potential for

greatness of course all these things we

need to see how he'll do would play out

in the book as a whole you can't just

look at the beginning and go to your

test and say yeah I'm set to go you do

need to see if those things pan out or

if they're meant to be ironic and things

like that but that is one really simple

way that you can be basically a pro

level literary analyst no matter who you

are look at the first couple sentences

of whatever work that you're reading the

poem or a novel or whatever and pick it

apart observe and then think well why

might that be that's it that's it

literary analysis is just that taken to

an extreme so you have everything you

need to be successful at this no matter

which class you're taking or if you just

want to get better at understanding

reading between the lines of these great

works this is all you need to do okay

well thank you for listening

today make sure that you subscribe below

if you have not already I have lots of

English nerdy tips tricks and just

general fun I think so

subscribe my videos go up every Monday I

hope you have a great day until then

goodbye