ASSIGNMENT FOR THE ESSAY ON THE NOVEL, NOTHING TO SEE HERE I. Begin with one of the literary theories your PL textbook lays out (1332-1360), which theory will serve as the basis of your approach to the novel. II. When applied to the novel or any other literary work, the theory you select will open a set of concerns through which you may analyze the work. For example, New Criticism, Structuralism, and Deconstruction usually address issues concerning language and the expression of concepts. On the other hand, Feminism and Gender Theory address issues concerning sexual identity and male-dominate discourse as a means of oppression. Marxism of course addresses socio-economic issues including class struggle, while Psychoanalytic Theory addresses issues related to the subconscious, and the list goes on. III. Any literary theory may potentially draw upon any literary critical tool. Nonetheless, a certain theory may habitually concern itself with some tools rather than others. For example, a theory concerned with issues of language will gravitate toward figures of speech, irony, diction, and tone. Psychoanalytic theory will gravitate toward point of view (especially if first person) and the development of character. Reader Response Theory will lean toward the plotting of a novel. Virtually any theory may be relevant to an analysis of a novel’s theme. IV. At this point, then, consider which literary critical tools your chosen theory best lends itself to. A review of PL 1332-1360 may help you to correlate literary theory with literary critical tools. Select at least a couple of these tools in order to dig into the work as you employ your chosen theory. As you notice when glancing down the Syllabus Schedule, we shall be picking up literary critical tools as we move through the semester (., conflict and stages of plot, setting, narrative point of view, style, tone, language, etc.). IV. Your essay should consist of 800-1000 words. A recommendation here is that, since 800 words is the bare minimum, an essay consisting of approximately 1000 words will, in all likelihood, be more substantial. Remember that headers, Works Cited, etc., do not contribute to word count. V. The novel is of course your primary source; as your primary source, it is your source of evidence for building your argument. Therefore, you should cite the novel frequently in your essay, with the citation given in correct MLA format. VI. Three additional sources (not including the PL textbook) are required. One of the three should concern your chosen literary theory and two should concern the novel. Concerning the novel, book reviews are acceptable since the novel is contemporary.
