Critical Approaches to Literature

1. Critical Approaches to Literature English 12, Quarter 2

2. What are Critical Approaches? • 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?

3. Why are critical approaches important? • EVERY text (novels, films, ads, images, everything) contain conscious and subconscious messages placed there by the author or perceived by the consumer • Using a critical approach uncovers those messages • Understanding the layers of meaning in a text leads to a richer reading or viewing experience • 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 • Critical reading/viewing promotes critical thinking in all aspects of life

4. How does one critically approach a “text”? • While you read, you look for clues pertaining to the approach you have chosen • 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

5. Approach #1: Archetypal/Mythological • Psychological aspects of the text, including archetypes, determine deeper meaning of symbols and characters • 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… • Where have I seen this type of story before? • Do these characters seem familiar?

6. Approach #1: Archetypal/Mythological • Examples: • 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

7. Approach #2: Marxist/Economic • 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? • 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?

8. Approach #2: Marxist/Economic • Examples: • 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 MayellaEwell is affected by her social class and rank

9. Approach #3: Historical • 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? • 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?

10. Approach #3: Historical • Examples: • 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.

11. Approach #4: Feminism/Gender Studies • 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? • 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?

12. Approach #4: Feminism/Gender Studies • 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

13. Approach #5: Moral/Philosophical • Literature contains explicit or implicit morals, values, and lessons • 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… • 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?

14. Approach #5: Moral/Philosophical • Examples • 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

15. Approach #6: Psychological • 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? • 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?

16. Approach #6: Psychological • 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

17. Approach #7: Multi-Cultural • Explores the perspective of marginalized ethnic groups to address a history of discrimination and inequity • 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… • 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?

18. Approach #7: Multi-Cultural • Examples: • 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