English 1B – Gavilan College Formal Analysis #2 Purpose: To use psychoanalytic, mythological and sociocultural theories to interpret a novel, either Cold Mountain or Harry Potter. Directions:
Psychoanalytic/Mythological Theory: Heroic Ideal: do Inman or Harry qualify as a heroic figure, according to Campbell’s heroic ideal? Why or why not? Give examples of how the protagonist fits the hero archetype and he deviates from it. Archetypal Theory: What archetypes do you find among the characters and situations in the book? Why do we continue to respond to these figures? Explain the theory behind archetypes, and give specific examples from the novel illustrating the role of archetypes in literature and psychology. Storytelling: What is the role of storytelling in the book? Give examples of storytelling in the novel, including myths, legends and personal narratives, and discuss what the author might have been suggesting about the importance of storytelling in our lives. Why is it important to us; what do we gain from it? Mother/Father figures: Analyze the mother and father figures represented 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 Inman and/or Ada, can be seen as metaphors for the human psyche, according to Freud’s model. How do Harry’s, Inman’s or Ada’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 achieve by using these particular elements?
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, Inman’s or Ada’s maturation throughout the book. What evidence do you see that the protagonist is growing as a result of his or her 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 he or she 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 typically 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 subvert and uphold cultural ideas about sex and gender? |