Alyssa's Reflection on Literary Analysis 2

• Informal, online, or multimedia resources:

• This part of developing my paper is one that I hadn’t expected to be as useful to developing my argument, but turned out to be quite influential in the way that I wrote the paper. Looking at different portrayals and stage interpretations of Dr. Faustus helped me to see perspectives different from the one that I had developed after reading the script and stage directions. I enjoyed looking at the artwork of specific scenes in the play as well as the different approaches that different theater companies took in their performances. The main source that I used here was the Globe Theater’s production of Dr. Faustus, which I found to be a far more comical and symbolic interpretation than I had initially read in the text. The actors’ performances and interpretations of their characters had a great impact on how I wrote about the psychology of the titular Dr. Faustus.

• Literary theory:

• I chose to use the psychoanalytical approach to Dr. Faustus because it was different from the other approaches that I was more comfortable using, and I thought it would be a good exercise. As it turned out, this literary theory was just as helpful in highlighting the import of the soliloquies and the symbolic characters that I had chosen for formal analysis. Looking at these aspects of the play through a psychoanalytical lens helped me to make the connections between the form and my interpretation of it more clearly visible. Because the formal elements I was examining were indicative of the mindset of the character, using the psychological theory just made sense to use. 

• Writing process:

• My writing process has changed a bit since the beginning of the semester. Before, I would write when I could, and often spend too long self-editing the paper long before I ever finished it. Having a specific time to write, as we did for this assignment, was helpful for me to focus my thoughts and get the words onto the page that I needed to write down. Being accountable to someone else for the work that I did was also helpful, as it kept me focused on what I needed to do and made me less liable to getting distracted. I still needed to take a little extra time to write after spending perhaps too long on looking for good sources to support my argument, and I feel that this is where I can most improve in my writing process.

Ariel's Reflection on Literary Analysis 2

• Informal, online, or multimedia sources
  When I was first trying to find out a thesis statement or claim to make during my prewriting, I really wanted to make a positive claim for Hamlet. The internet had many different memes and blog posts and other social medias that made him selfish but relatable, his jump to conclusions funny, and showed that most people who like the play Hamlet like Hamlet more than most of the other characters. I made an attempt to mention this informally in my introduction. Then, I used a blog post about tragic heroes to explain in simple terms how a tragic hero archetype works. This helped me feel more comfortable knowing the definition was clearer and not just my own internal definition, and I was able to cover key components of the tragic hero in more of a list format – something I didn’t originally think to do.

• Literary theory
  I felt like it was easier to incorporate the literary theory more than formal analysis, and I focused heavily on trying to define the genre of tragedy before diving into Archetypal theory so I could cover both. In this case, it was easy to blend the formal and theory together using genre primarily. However, I was unsure if I should have done more to explain the theory in my paper, or if my subtle references and defining of certain terms was enough. It’s easy to make a claim, but I felt like I should have added more evidence somehow. I just don’t know in what way I could have done that. It might have also been beneficial to dissect certain pieces of the play with more formal analysis, but besides getting into genre and archetypes and evidence insinuating tragic hero traits, I was unsure what else I could have done to really tie the two components together in a stronger case. Any other formal attempts felt like I was getting side tracked with words rather than the overarching of archetypes.

• Writing process
  Like I usually do, I started by plotting out what I wanted to say for each paragraph. Then, I usually work on a starting thesis statement, write the intro and conclusion, then the body paragraphs. With this essay, the introduction and concluding paragraph were the last things I wrote. It was much more difficult finding a solid thesis to work with this time so I wrote the body paragraphs first, then the intro’s first few sentences and the conclusion’s last few, then reviewed what I was saying before attempting the thesis. This was beneficial because I could see what I was doing and where I was leaning toward, then I could re-tune certain sentences to fit the same case, then finally work on a thesis. I think my biggest strength is being able to find or reach conclusions/claims from evidence provided by plot and characters, but my weakness is definitely trying to analyze form and theory together to find more evidence. I can jump to conclusions but using sources to back me up is still difficult.

Rowen's Reflection on Literary Analysis 2

Informal, Online, Or Multimedia Sources

The book, Sea of Rust, is fairly recent, so it was difficult to find a lot of actual conversation about it online. Much of the informal resources I relied on had to do with my school of literary criticism, LDS Criticism. I used lesson plans from the Churchofjesuschrist.org website and institute manuals to inform my discussions of Restored Church of Christ doctrine. I couldn't site it since I don't have it, but I did also use the introduction to Asmiov's I, Robot to inform some of my understanding of robot fiction. Not a lot of that actually made it into the paper though.

Literary Theory

The main focus of my paper was LDS Criticism, which was a really interesting way to read a book that was largely focused on something I can only term atheistic concepts of deity. It was interesting to see how the various aspects of LDS doctrine and philosophy could be applied to a (probably) completely disconnected work of fiction. I also focused pretty heavily on genre criticism. One of the main points of my paper was how this book both utilizes and strays from the traditional conventions of robot fiction, and how those choices connect to the LDS concepts I was focusing on

Writing Process

It's really easy for me to write about things I get excited about. I was so excited for the Ozymandias paper, and even though it still needs improvement, I felt like each part of the process was much more natural. I had a much harder time getting started and moving forward with this paper, and I think that also affected how well it came out. I wasn't as motivated, so I didn't put in the work I should have to really make it polished. So that's something I need to focus on going forward, making sure I force myself to put in the right amount of work regardless of my motivation, because there are some projects I just won't enjoy as much as others. I'm also really struggling with actual formalist criticism. I have a lot of fun talking about overall concepts expressed within novels, but smaller-scale things that happen on a more formal level are really hard to reach for me.

Maddi's Reflection on Literary Analysis 2

• Informal, online, or multimedia sources
• I struggled a bit with this part of the essay. I found a lot of good content that influenced the way I wanted to write the book-- it gave me different perspectives and caused me to consider ideas that I hadn't originally noticed in "The Yellow Wallpaper". I felt that the material I found was very helpful and spawned original ideas, yet I wasn't sure how to incorporate them into my essay. The first thing I found was an art piece from Pinterest, depicting the woman in the text drowning, or being strangled, by the wallpaper. I loved this, because it was different from other pieces I had seen where she was trapped in/crawling out of the wallpaper. It showed that rather the wallpaper being a prison, it was more of a vice, and I inserted it into my essay to portray the hysteria I was referencing. Another I found was from a contemporary blog written by a teenage student, who found evidence within the text to represent an asylum-- and idea that I really loved! I wasn't sure how to use this in my text. Looking back, I wished I had used it early on to show how a modern take on the short story would look, however, I used it in my paper to outline these details, and then backed it up myself.
• Literary theory.
• I wanted to use a Historical/New Historical approach to the text, especially after looking at my informal source that brought up asylums. I wanted to use this a lot more in my text, but I found a hard time exploring it thoroughly while keeping to the word limit. However, I do think it ended up being effective, especially in showing the importance of recognizing hysteria within the text, and how it was used to create separation between peoples. It fit well with my formal analysis, as it usually does when looking at narrative or structure. In the future, I want to try to use a more complex approach to theory when blending it with my formal analysis.
• Writing Process 
• I spent a lot of time changing and developing my writing process. I started with a little bit of research to create an outline of the paper. I felt very excited and comfortable with it as I finished, however, upon further research, I decided to change my approach to the paper. Talking it out with my peers, and those in the class, really helped me to regain a comfortable approach to the paper. I decided to compare "The Yellow Wallpaper" to "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and use it as a way to bring the elements in "The Yellow Wallpaper" that I found to be significant. This helped a lot, and helped me to revise my outline. However, after my first draft, my paper didn't seem to have all the pieces I wanted it to-- it felt lacking and too wordy! I decided to go through and find quotes and arguments I wanted in my paper, that I felt should drive the paper, and created a new outline from there. I then went through and cut what didn't fit the mold! This last method really helped me to organize my thoughts and make a stronger argument throughout my paper. I feel that I need to better solidify my argument before/during my writing process and really stick to it. I found that my original argument wasn't fully formed, and it took me a few tries to refigure it. 

Critical Approaches to Dr. Faustus

Dr. Faustus is a play by Christopher Marlowe, written around the same time as Shakespeare was writing his plays. It follows an accomplished doctor, Faustus, who desires greater power and influence, and makes a pact with the devil to achieve these ends. When I read Dr. Faustus the first time, I was fascinated by the discussion about the realities of heaven and hell, and whether we ourselves are responsible for our damnation or salvation.

Postcolonialism: At the time that Marlowe wrote Dr. Faustus, Europe was eagerly looking for new territories to conquer, and countries like Spain and England had already sent men across the Atlantic in search for resources that would enrich their kingdoms. In Dr. Faustus, the same obsession over gaining riches and power infects Faustus. Although he obtains his object, Faustus eventually has a tragic and hellish fall into the realm of the devil, losing all material things he had acquired.

Source Studies: By reading a few versions of the original Faust myth, I may see how Marlowe remained faithful to the original tales and how he changed some details to better appeal to his English audience. With this comparison, I may also draw some conclusions about the cultural perceptions of magic and morality in Germany and England.

Marxism: There is a lot of power play in Dr. Faustus: the power Faustus believes he has over the spirits of hell; how Faustus uses his magic to scare and toy with the uneducated; the power the uneducated class wants to obtain through magic; and the power that Lucifer holds over Faustus. How does each group view and use the power they have to achieve their own ends?

Christian Criticism: In a play that discusses so openly belief and unbelief, I would be remiss if I did not look at the characters’ relationships with religion and how their beliefs affect their actions. In particular, I could look at Faustus’ constant wavering between faith and doubt in God and the devil and how his uncertainty leads to his downfall. How was this received in a protestant audience?

Critical Approaches to The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner

The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner was published in 1929. The story centers around the Compson family as it begins to deteriorate and fall into obscurity. The family follows three members of the family and their housekeeper as the family slowly implodes on itself until they are left penniless and devoid of any good reputation.

• (biographical) An easy connection to make is to Faulkner's own life. He grew up in the South in the late 19th century and also attended Oxford, settings appear frequently in his novels. This idea of the Old South aristocracy and the reverberations of the Civil War on the Old South are largely explored in the novel and played out in real time in his own life.
• (feminist) One of the central characters to the book is Caddy Compson, the sister and mother figure for most of the family. She is integral to the decay of the family's reputation and both her and her daughter are both key players in the family's fall. They are portrayed as promiscuous and irresponsible. Quentin, her brother, also attempts to take it upon himself to protect her, for which he fails.
• (source studies) The title of the book is derived from the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. When one looks at the actual soliloquy from which the title comes from, you can see that many of the themes in the novel are also reflected in the passage. More themes can be explored when the piece is seen in conjunction with the novel.
• (critical race theory) One of Faulkner's most interesting characters is Dilsey, the black housekeeper for the Compson family. Her perspective comes last and is perhaps the clearest of them all. Her position in a Southern family should lend her very little respect in the family, and yet she is the primary caregiver for most of the children and is respected by nearly all of the characters. This inversion of the expectation for her position and race can serve as an interesting perspective and launching point.