Literary+Research

Literary Research (Honors)

To many students, the phrase "literary criticism" can be daunting, as it seems both complex and alien. In high school, the first time you sat down to write an essay on your summer reading novel, you performed literary criticism. In social studies, when you analyzed primary and secondary sources, you performed literary criticism. In essence, you have been doing at least a form of literary criticism since the first time you gave your opinion on something you read.

As an 11th grader, however, you are ready to learn and apply a more structured approach of literary criticism: literary theory. What literary theory does is help “establish principles for interpreting and evaluating literary texts.” In other words, it provides you a parameter through which you view a text, a lens so to speak. For example, if I asked you to describe the uses of the sun, you’d quickly find yourself overwhelmed trying to give a response, as there’s simply too much information to analyze. If, however, I gave you a more focused assignment about the sun, say describe the uses of the sun to someone on the beach, you’d have a much easier time formulating a response. This is what literary theory does: it assists you—the critic—to focus your response.

For this assignment you will be both familiarizing yourself and applying one school of literary theory: Literary History criticism.

Critics have defined Literary History criticism as the following:

• This body of criticism claims that literature may transcend time to the extent that it may concern readers over the years, even centuries. Followers of this category understand that it remains a part of the past in which it was made, a past that can reveal more fully a work’s language, purposes and ideas.

More clearly stated, Literary History is a critical theory lens that encourages the reader to apply/consider the themes of a novel beyond its historical period. If one were to apply this critical approach to Chopin’s “A Story of an Hour”, the resulting analysis could center on how the issues of gender expectations extend beyond the 19th century and are still found in today’s society. In essence, themes within literature—argues this theory—extend beyond the author’s historical context to the reader’s contemporary context. Therefore, while Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is both a reflection and social commentary of the 19th century, Literary History assists us in realizing the novel’s themes as being universal and relevant in our current age.

Assignment:

Your assignment is to apply a Literary History lens to your reading of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. After choosing ONE of the themes listed below, discuss how it is applicable not simply within 19th century life, but more importantly, within our contemporary age (1960 to present). Be sure your essay’s contemporary connections are based on thorough research and your major focus is NOT centered on the 19th century application.

• APA, cover page, references page, in-text citations, and a minimum of 3-4 pages. • Five sources plus the novel. Sources must be database, book, and website. All sources must be cited within the paper (direct quote). • Each paragraph should have a minimum of two in-text citations).