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What is Critical Analysis in the Literature?

The term “critical literary analysis” makes many uneasy for no apparent reason. I used to read a lot of novels just for fun. But as an English literature student, I came across this word in my 1st year. And I thought it was a high and mighty complicated thing like math. However, after a few days of studying, I realized that critical analysis is the name of praising or scolding a piece of text using professional language.

So, what is the formal definition of critical lit analysis?

Literary criticism is the discipline of interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating works of literature.

-Saeed Farzaneh Fard

Critical literary analysis is like investigating a story to understand its secrets. Here’s the process in a nutshell:

1. Read the story closely. Pay attention to details, not just the main events.
2. Ask Questions: What’s confusing? What stands out? Why did the author write this scene this way?
3. Look for Clues: Are there repeated words, symbols, or character traits? What might they mean?
4. Form an Idea: What do YOU think the story is really about? (This is your thesis)
5. Find Proof: Use specific parts of the story (quotes, examples) to support your idea.

Just like Wolfgang Iser (Literary theorist) said,

“Behind every text lies a context, behind every writer an intention, and behind every reader an expectation.”

In essence, critical literary analysis goes beyond summarizing the plot or identifying characters. It involves a deeper exploration of the text, considering elements like:

• Themes: The underlying ideas and messages explored in the work.
• Symbolism: The use of objects, characters, or events to represent something beyond their literal meaning.
• Literary techniques: How the author uses language devices like metaphor, simile, imagery, and figurative language to create effects and convey meaning.
• Structure and style: How the organization of the text (e.g., plot structure, point of view) and the author’s writing style contribute to the overall impact.
• Historical and cultural context: How the work reflects or critiques the society and time period in which it was written.

Basically, critical analysis is about reading deeply, thinking critically, and explaining your findings. It’s like showing off your detective skills for literature!