A literary analysis is not merely a summary of a literary work. Instead, it is an argument about the work that expresses a writer’s personal perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the work. This is accomplished by examining the literary devices, word choices, or writing structures the author uses within the work. The purpose of a literary analysis is to demonstrate why the author used specific ideas, word choices, or writing structures to convey his or her message. Essay Topics: Using your Summer Reading text and writing assignment, answer one of the following four questions: 1. Is the text supporting dominant power structures?Is it subverting them? 2. What discourses do I find represented in the text? What social rules do they enforce or undermine? 3. Is the author representing the dominant discourse or is he/she a subaltern? 4. What voices have been silenced in the text? What silenced voices have been given room to speak? Questions to ask oneself when doing historical criticism: • How does the work reflect the period in which it is written? • What literary or historical influences helped to shape the work? • What were the common themes and motifs in the literature of the time period? • What philosophers/philosophies were important to the time period?• How important is the historical context to interpreting the work? • How do the specifics of the time period elucidate the meaning of the work? • What position is the author taking regarding the events or conditions of the time? • What are some of the situations and references in the work that are specific to its time period?

Literary Analysis

Order Description
1. Select one of the themes of Postcolonial theory that you would like to explore. This will be the lens through which you look at the literature.
2. Describe how the lens fits into Postcolonial theory and explain why it’s a good choice for the literature.
3. Apply that lens to The Epic of Gilgamesh and Acts I and II of The Tempest.

For full instructions please see the two separate attachments title Essay 1 Assignment Sheet and Postcolonial Theme Cheat Sheet for full instructions.

Literary Analysis

Order Description
1. Select one of the themes of Postcolonial theory that you would like to explore. This will be the lens through which you look at the literature.
2. Describe how the lens fits into Postcolonial theory and explain why it’s a good choice for the literature.
3. Apply that lens to The Epic of Gilgamesh and Acts I and II of The Tempest.

For full instructions please see the two separate attachments title Essay 1 Assignment Sheet and Postcolonial Theme Cheat Sheet for full instructions.