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Literary Analysis
For IB Assessments
Types of literary analysis
CharacterThemeSettingFormSymbolism, Motif and ImageryStyle
A strong character analysis will…
identify the type of character describe the characterdiscuss the conflict in the story, as it
relates to the character’s place in it
Characters can be…
protagonists or antagonistsmajor or minorstatic or dynamicstereotypical (stock)Foils (opposite or weaker than
protagonist)Heroes or Antiheroes
Heroes can be…
the anti-hero the tragic hero the romantic hero the modern hero
Consider if the character has changed
during the course of the story:
What was his/her motivation to change?How does the character learn from the
change?
Social Aspects of Character
How does the character view other characters?
What do other characters say about this character?
Do the character’s actions support his/her words?
External Conflicts
man vs. man man vs. machineman vs. natureman vs. animalman vs. fate or destinyman vs. society
Internal Conflicts
man vs. himself: this is when the character has an ethical dilemma
man vs. his mind: this is the character with internal problems that are not ethical, but mental or emotional
Themes can be a…
conceptsthoughts opinions or beliefs
The theme allows the author to illustrate his perceptions about life.
Theme Analysis
Consider… Direct statements Imagery and symbolism A character’s thoughts or statements A character who stands for something Overall tone or moral of the work
Theme Analysis
Motivation
• Why do the characters behave as they do, and what motivates them?
Theme Analysis
Tone
• What is the author’s or narrator’s attitude towards his subject?
Theme Analysis
Values
• Does it seem like the author is making a value judgment?
Analysis of Setting
Explore how a work’s time and place affects the events and/or the characters of the work.
Consider setting as part of another form of literary analysis.
(extending the analysis of a character, for example)
Setting Analysis
the seasontime of day mattersweather
(Is it night, when things are often hidden? Is it day, when things may be more clear?)
Setting Analysis
Is any part of the setting symbolic? A castle=defenses suburban home=safety
Setting Analysis
How much time does the action cover?Are there jumps in hours, days, weeks,
months, years?
Setting Analysis
How well does a character “fit in” with the setting?
Setting Analysis
Does the setting influence the plot or characters? If the characters are supposed to be strong
characters who triumph over evil, are they in places where evil is around?
Setting Analysis
Does the setting establish atmosphere or mood? A bright, sunshiny day? Is it a creepy old house that creaks? Is it a big open barn that smells of fresh
hay?
Setting Analysis
How is the setting presented ? With great detail? Through a few suggestive details? Indirectly through thoughts and actions?
Structure•Does he use long or short sentences?•Is dialogue short and conversational or
long and involved?•How are the sentences structured? •Are the paragraphs short and choppy or long and flowing? •Repetitive or varied? •Are they all the same length or are some long and flowing, others short and choppy? Why?
StyleHow does the author present his reality?
What word choices do you notice?
Are the descriptions blunt, vivid, detailed?
What is the tone?
What is the mood?
Are there many literary devices?
Form
How does the plotline look?
Does it take a long time to get to the rising action?
Is there a lot of attention on the climax?
How are the acts and chapters divided?
When do new characters enter?
Does one event cause another to happen?
Is there a crisis?
In conclusion
The types of analysis overlap. Keep your focus clear as you write your essay.
Are you focusing on the comparison of two characters because you want to explore their development and role in the conflict?
Are you focusing on the comparison of two characters because you think they both embody a the same thematic element?