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?