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Applying A Critical Lens

This unit, "Seeing/Ways to "See" Literature" has been preparing you for reading a work of fiction and applying a critical lens of your choice as you read and as you analyze the selection in writing AFTER you have read. 

Your Task: (CHOOSE ONE)


A.
Read and annotate (in your learning log) one longer article or two short articles on "The Yellow Wallpaper" from JSTOR, available here.  Use your reading to inform your essay

Now that you have had a brief review of literary analysis and now that you have had an introduction to different approaches to critical analyses, it is time to show off your writing skills.  Pick EITHER one (1) of the essay topics below and write one (1) five (5) paragraph essay, complete with an introduction and conclusion OR pick five (5) prompts to respond to, writing one (1) paragraph for each one.  These paragraphs should each have an introduction sentence and a concluding sentence. 
These essays will prepare you for next week's final unit 1 seminar, help you review the writing process, continue to acquaint you with writing circles, give us a starting point for grammar, writing, critical reading, and literary analysis mini-lessons, and help you to review both critical reading/comprehension skills and literary elements/terms.

"The Yellow Wallpaper" Critical Analysis Essay Topics


1.  In Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" the narrator makes constant reference to the paper's pattern. What does the pattern symbolize?  In a well-developed essay, respond thoughtfully to the questions that follow.
  • What does the yellow wallpaper come to mean to the narrator?
  • What role does the yellow wallpaper play in the story?
  • Why does she spend so much time studying the pattern?
  • Look at the adjectives that Gilman uses to develop the wallpaper as a symbol and notice how the character of the narrator is tied to the descriptions of the wallpaper.
  • Provide textual evidence to support your idea.
2.  How does Gilman use changes in language (diction, tone) to affect the narrator's shift from seeming sanity to madness?

 3.  Looking at the minor characters, analyze the view of women during this time period. Use the text to support your ideas, supplying specific examples.

 4.   Universalize the primary metaphor of the story. How might we/you move from an abhorrence of our yellow wallpaper to a fascination with it only to finally become trapped behind it--a victim of our/your own obsession?

 5.  How does Gilman use changes in language (diction, tone) to affect the narrator's shift from seeming sanity to madness?

 OR

B.

1.  Pick one (1) of the following short stories to read.  These are hyperlinked, so all you have to do is click and start reading.
2.  Annotate the story as you read, either digitally or in your learning log.  Read this handout to be sure you are meeting the minimum annotation requirements for AP English IV.
3.  Choose one of the following critical approaches to use in order to write a literary analysis of the story you have chosen.
  • reader response
  • biographical
  • historical
  • formalist
  • gender/feminist
This book has everything you need to know about writing literary analysis.  Peruse it as needed (use the table of contents), and we will review some sections in class.  Your writing assignment is on page 24.
  • Your paper must be written in Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced.
  • It should be between 1.5 and 2 pages in length.

Rubric:

You will be graded using the AP rubric.  Please review the rubric.  You will be using it to peer and self assess in your Writing Circles.

Writer's Workshop:

You will have a chance to work on this essay during Writer's Workshop, during which time you will take this essay through the writing process, from pre-writing to a finished product, one that has been through several peer-edited drafts.  You will conference with me.  Your writing circle will be your greatest resource.
Please review the Writer's Workshop Guidelines.
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