Essay #1

Literary Analysis: BEOWULF
Due Date: 10/12/2011

This particular writing project requires you to read and write an in depth style analysis of a challenging work of literary merit. Due to the independent nature of the project, you will need to be vigilant in completing all of the tasks required because I will not be reminding you every week to work on this. There are two parts to this assignment. First, there is a dialectical journal you must keep while reading your novel (the guidelines for that journal will be provided separately) . Second, you must complete all of the sections detailed in this document.

For this project, you need to write about each of the areas below. For the sake of clarity and organization, please make sure that each of your sections has the proper heading, and that the sections are dealt with in the order in which they are listed on this assignment sheet. Due to the nature of this research paper you do not need to provide transitions between the different sections, you merely need to provide the heading. This assignment must be typed, with a standard 12 point Times New Roman font, and 1.5 spaced. The cover sheet should contain your name, class period, and date submitted. All of the standards for proper convections are expected. A paper that has a distracting number of errors will only be eligible to receive a “C” or lower.

Each section has a series of questions that are meant to stimulate your thinking and writing. They are not intended to be answered in order, but instead are intended merely to act as a guide for your analysis.

One last important note: FOR EACH SECTION, make sure that you connect your commentary both to DIRECT TEXT EXAMPLES (always cited with the correct page number!) as well as to the NOVEL AS A WHOLE. Only papers that accomplish this will receive an “A” grade.

1. THE AUTHOR AND HER/HIS TIMES: Biographical and historical information pertinent to the novel. What important family, community, national, and world events helped inform this material? Do not provide an exhaustive biography; merely provide those details that can be directly linked to the novel in a manner that is convincing. This is one of the few sections that will require some outside research, so please remember to cite your source(s).

2. FORM/STRUCTURE, PLOT: How is the novel organized and what techniques are used? Discuss techniques such as sequencing, multiple, complex, or simple plot, foreshadowing, chapter choices. Then, provide a BRIEF outline of the events of the plot (no more than 200 words). For some modern novels, the plot may be difficult to describe succinctly – but try to do it anyway. When you discuss structure, remember that you need to discuss the effect of the intentional internal arrangement of parts.

3. POINT OF VIEW/ PERSPECTIVE: From what vantage point does the reader receive the information? Is the perspective reliable, or is it highly subjective? How are important ideas received? Is there an agenda that the narrator seems to have, either consciously or subconsciously? Does the perspective shift, and if so, to what end? Are characters explicit in their dialog, or does on omniscient narrator fill the reader in concerning the larger issues? Why is the perspective used particularly effective for this novel?

4. CHARACTER: Are each of the characters highly developed, or is most of the writing devoted to one character? Do you learn about them through what is not included in the text? How is character revealed for the most part? Is through what they say? What they do? What they wear? What they think? The people with whom they associate? What the narrator says about them? How complex are the people that you meet? Describe the central characters including what you find out about their names, ages, physical descriptions, personalities, functions in the novel – in other words, the responses to the questions asked in the preceding sentence. Also include one short quotation that reveals their character, and explain why the quote reveals character.


5. SETTING: Where and when does the novel occur? How many locations are described? Are there connections between the setting(s) and character(s)? How is the atmosphere described? Are there any important settings that contrast or parallel each other? Why is this setting so effective in supporting the ideas in the novel as a whole? Conversely, if the setting is ambiguous, what details seem most important and what is the effect of the ambiguity? Why is this story best told in this setting? When discussing setting, remember that it does not only mean the geographical location (topography, scenery) but also the cultural backdrop, social context, and the artificial environment (rooms, buildings, cities, towns) as well.

6. THEME: Identify one major theme (a central or controlling idea) and explicate the theme using specific moments from the text, either paraphrased or directly quoted. What is the abstract concept being addressed and what is the evaluation of that concept through the text? Are there any “universal” truths are revealed, supported, or challenged by this theme? Be aware that a theme cannot be expressed in a single word, and with complex works of literary merit the elucidation of a theme requires a full paragraph or more. Also note that the theme is rarely stated explicitly, but rather is implicit. Remember that a theme has TWO (2) PARTS: An abstract concept AND the author’s commentary on or evaluation of that concept through the text.

7. CRITICAL REVIEW: Find one critical review (not a Cliffs Notes or similar source) of you novel and offer your opinion of the critic’s analysis in two or three paragraphs. Attach a copy of the critical review to your paper, and cite it directly. When expressing your response to the review, be specific in your discussion. If you agree, then explain why and carry the argument beyond what the critic pointed out. If you disagree, provide support for your position from the text.

8. DICTION: Analyze the novelist’s word choice. Is the language high or formal, neutral, informal? Does the novelist employ slang(faddish words)? Colloquialisms (nonstandard regional ways of using language(like someone from Boston asking where you “paah-ked yeh caaah”)? Jargon (language associated with a particular trade)? Dialect (think Tom Sawyer)? Is the language plain? Flowery? Concise? Vulgar? Dense? Elevated? Select a passage that illustrates your observations and discuss this passage directly.

10. TONE: What is the author’s attitude towards the subject of the novel? Discuss how the author creates the tone you identified through a variety of vehicles including plot, characterization, setting, and anything else that contributes to tone. Use specific text examples to support your findings.

11. TITLE: Why is this title so appropriate for the novel? Does it have literal or symbolic significance? Does it actually appear in the novel, and if so, what is the situation? Is the title an allusion, and if so, why would the title include this allusion? Does the title implicitly connect to the theme of the work?

12. MEMORABLE QUOTE: Choose and type out one quotation that you believe to be significant or noteworthy. Please explain your choice. Is it an especially moving moment? Is it especially well-written? Why does this quote stand out for you?

13. PERSONAL RESPONSE: What did you enjoy about the novel and why? What did you not enjoy about the novel and why? Are you eager to read another novel by this author? Would you recommend this novel to a friend? Make a case for either adding the novel to the AP curriculum, or give reasons why it should not be a part of this course.