In College Comp, I've been slowly talking about the big final research paper (an analysis of two novels). Since many will need all the time they can get to read and study their books, I've begun slowly talking about literary criticism and critical reading strategies. I've found a cool book (Reading Fictions) that helps. Yesterday we talked about some of the schools of literary criticism and how each views a text differently.
Today we read a story called "The End of the Line." Then there are three examples from critics who each see the story differently. Two formalists views and one feminist.
First we read the story. Then we analyzed it some. Then I handed out the critical examples for us to discuss. One girl was reading from the feminist critical perspective when she had an epiphany. "Oh!" She exclaimed. "Does it mean that the woman is a heroin addict?" She asked proudly.
The class stared in awe. "No she isn't a heroin addict. The critic is calling her the heroine, not a heroin junkie. A heroine is a female hero."
It was enlightening to say the least.
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