English 1B - Gavilan College
Purpose: To use psychoanalytic, mythological and/or sociocultural theory to interpret a novel, either Lolita or Harry Potter. Directions:
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Psychoanalytic/Mythological Theory Heroic Ideal: Do Humbert or Harry qualify as heroic figures, according to Campbells's heroic ideal? Why or why not? Give examples of how the protagonist fits the hero archetype and how he deviates from it. Archetypal Theory: What archetypes do you find among the characters the situations in the book? Why do we contineu to respond to these figures? Explain the theory behind archetypes and give specific examples from the novel illustration the role of archetypes in literature and psychology. Storytelling: What is the role of storytelling in the book? Give examples of story-telling in the novel, including myths, legends and personal narratives, and discuss what the author might have been suggesting about the importance of story-telling in our lives. Why is it important to us; what do we gain from it? Mother/Father Figures: Analyze the mother and father figures presented in the book. What does the author feel constitutes a “good” mother and father, or a “bad” mother and father? Do any of the examples of mother and father figures go against what we would consider to be a cultural ideal? How does the author both uphold and subvert cultural ideas about parenthood? The Human Psyche: Describe how the world of Harry Potter or the stories of Humbert Humbert and/or Lolita, can be seen as a metaphor for the human psyche, according to Freud's model. How do Harry’s , Humbert's, or Lolita's adventures and ordeals work as a metaphor for human psychological development? How might a reader use the metaphor as a tool for his or her own life, even if he or she doesn’t know anything about how humans develop psychologically? Literary Tradition: How does this novel take part in a larger literary tradition? What elements of the novel are borrowed from or influenced by other, older stories and ideas? What might the author have been trying to acheive by using these particular elements? |
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Sociocultural Theory: Class/Race: Discuss the role of class or race in the novel. How do interactions between characters of different economic classes or races help the author develop his or her characters? What does the author seem to suggest overall about the nature of class or race relations in our culture? Power: Discuss the concept of power and control in the novel. Who has power and control, how do those people get that control, and how do they use it? What constitutes “right” use of power and “wrong” use of power? What does the author seem to think is the “right” way to get, use and hold on to power? Maturation: Trace Harry's, Humbert's or Lolita's maturation through the book. What evidence do you see that the protagonist is growing as a result of his experiences? What is he or she learning about self and life, and how does the protagonist use the knew-found knowledge to change his/her perspective and opinions? How does the protagonist's behavior or outlook change as a result of those experiences? Authority: How is authority portrayed in the book? How is power used and abused by the different characters? How do the protagonists react to authority figures, and does the author give clues as to how she or he feels about authority figures? Gender/Sex Roles: Analyze gender and sex figures presented in the book. What does the author present as typically feminine behavior? What does the author present as typcially masculine behavior? Do any of the examples of gender or sex roles go against what we would consider to be a cultural ideal? How does the author both uphold and subvert cultural ideas about sex and gender? |
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