Literary Analysis of Beowulf

The Bottom Line

• The point of literary analysis is to go beyond merely summarizing a work to figuring out how a writer’s stylistic choices convey the work’s message or meaning

• For our Beowulf literary analysis, you will analyze how the poet’s choice of an epic hero helps you understand the work’s message or meaning

Our Prompts• One option for our Beowulf literary analysis,

asks you to analyze how the poet’s choice of an epic hero helps you understand the work’s message or meaning1. You identify the traits of an epic hero as seen

in Beowulf2. You analyze how those traits help you

understand theme3. You could focus on one theme or different

themes- one theme would probably be easier

Our Prompts• Another option for our literary analysis is

to analyze how the poet’s choice of an epic poem helps you understand theme1. You identify the elements of Beowulf that

make in an epic poem (focus on maybe 3-4)2. You analyze how those epic elements help

you understand theme3. You could focus on one theme or many

themes (1 theme is probably easier)

Our prompts

• Another option is to simply analyze one theme in Beowulf1. Create a theme statement2. Gather evidence to support that theme

• Diction, imagery, details, characters, digressions, etc

3. Analyze how the poet uses the evidence you have gathered to help you understand theme

Our prompts• Finally, the last option: How important is

wealth in Beowulf, and how does it relate to other major values of Germanic tribes (Anglo-Saxons)1. Using the background notes and the text

determine the importance of wealth2. Look at the various instances/scenes

where wealth appears3. Figure out what theme the poem conveys

Theme

• When we talk about the way the text raises a question or explores an issue in addition to telling a story, we are talking about theme.

• There is no magic formula for finding theme other than observation and interpretation--and, of course, rereading.

Trying to Articulate Theme

• Subject and theme are NOT the same• Avoid cliches• Do not ignore contradictory details• A theme is not a moral• A literary work almost always has more

than one theme• Themes can be questions

Developing a Statement of Theme

• A successful theme statement must be general enough to capture the overall meaning of the work, but specific enough so that it conveys your unique interpretation.

Theme Statement• When you create a theme statement, you're substituting

your single sentence for the entire text. That means that you have to simplify the meaning somewhat to get it into a single sentence, but nevertheless, your theme statement itself should make a point.

• The theme statement should be a complete sentence. "Love and death" (for example) is not a theme statement. It's just an announcement of the topic of the work. What in particular is the author saying about love and death?

• A sentence like "The theme of the poem is love and death" is grammatically speaking a complete sentence, but if you remove the beginning of the sentence ("The theme of the poem is"), then you don't have a complete sentence, just a wordy announcement of the topic.

Theme Statement• The theme statement should describe the general meaning of the work, not

the specific events, actions, or characters.

• The statement "Luke defeats Darth Vader" is not a theme statement but a plot summary. Instead of describing what the characters do, discuss what they represent ("Good defeats evil").

• Often the theme statement takes the form of a judgment ("We cannot defeat an external evil until we acknowledge our own dark side"). Of course this overall theme results from what the characters do (or from the literal meaning of words in the text), and in supporting your general interpretation, you should cite some of these specific details.

• The theme statement should reflect the values of the entire work, not just one or two episodes or lines. In particular, look at the end of the work to make sure that the story's outcome matches what you think its general meaning is.

Examples

• Long term unresolved conflict between families leads to disaster.

• Blind loyalty causes foolish behavior.

• Dr Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham suggests life is more fulfilling when one has an open mind.

Developing a Thesis Statement

• Remember that you are analyzing the elements of the work in order to arrive at an interpretation; you should not be summarizing the work.

• Remember when formulating your thesis that you are writing about how literary elements illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole

• Thus, you are always balancing the two: literary elements and interpretation.

A few possible thesis statements

• In Beowulf, the epic hero is the means the poet uses to explore…..

• By employing the traits of an epic poem in Beowulf, the poet illuminates the idea/notion that_______ (Theme).

• In Beowulf, the poet uses ______, _______, and _____ to reinforce the idea that________ (theme).

Planning Your Essay

• Citing examples and explicitly explaining how they illustrate and support your interpretation are key to a successful essay that analyzes a literary work.

• The more you explain HOW rather than state THAT, the stronger your essay will be.

Planning your essay• The most IMPORTANT part of supporting

your argument involves explaining your examples and discussing the ways the details you recount or quote connect to your thesis statement and topic sentences

• You do this by including sentences of explanation, sometimes called commentary or analysis, for each of your examples.

The 11 Sentence Paragraph:

• Topic sentence (TS)• Concrete detail (CD)• Commentary (CM)• Concluding sentence (CS)

• Chunk

Concrete Detail (CD)

• Stuff from the story• On the surface• Facts• Evidence• Support• Plot references• Plot summary• What really happened in the story? (action)

Commentary (CM)• Stuff from your head• Under the surface/you need to dig for these/harder work• Words with feelings you can describe to me• The “so what?” or the “why?”• Analysis• Interpretation• Inference• Insight• Reasons• A character’s feelings

– George feels____________.– How did George feel on the inside?

Chunk

• A chunk is a ratio of CDs to CMs• When writing about literature

– 1:2+– for every 1 CD, you must have 2+ CMs

Topic Sentence (TS)

• Is NEVER a FACT from the story• Must present an informed opinion

– An opinion that can be supported by facts from the story

• Should include at least one CM• Ask yourself: Could someone logically argue

against it? – Yes=good TS– No= bad TS

Word Glue

• You must use word glue to connect each topic sentence with the thesis.

• You may use synonyms or exact words from the thesis statement.

• You should be able to draw circles around common words in the thesis and topic sentences

Word Glue Example• Thesis: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

focuses the attention of the perspicacious reader on Scott’s growth as she transforms from a carefree child into a true lady, one who is a lady at heart, not just a lady in appearance.

• TS1: As Scott’s father, Atticus plays an important role in teaching her important values that a true lady must possess.

• TS2: In addition to Atticus’ lessons, Miss Maudie Atkinson, Scout’s benign neighbor, helps her grow to be a true lady.

• TS3: Contradictory values of character and appearance confront Scout as she becomes a lady of character.

11 sentence paragraph format

• Topic Sentence (TS)– Concrete Detail (CD)

• Commentary (CM)• Commentary (CM

– Concrete Detail (CD)• Commentary (CM)• Commentary (CM)

– Concrete Detail (CD)• Commentary (CM)• Commentary (CM)

• Concluding Sentence (CD)

Next Class• Read pgs 38-50 in Patterns book• Rough Draft in class, so bring your book,

your prewrite, any background notes you plan to use, and a flash drive.

• You won’t be able to print from the laptops, so you will have to save to a flash drive and print from home.

• Rough Draft is due the following B day (Weds)